Tuesday's gossip column: Football transfers and rumours

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For a list of confirmed transfers, check out our transfers page.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Everton have 'put aside' a new deal for Manchester United target Leighton Baines, 28, but manager Roberto Martinez promises a contract will be sorted for the defender.

Leighton Baines scored two goals from free-kicks in Everton's 3-2 win over West Ham on Saturday

Full story: Daily Mirror

Italian champions Juventus will provide stiff competition for Liverpool to sign Xabi Alonso, 31, should the Real Madrid midfielder fail to extend his contract beyond next summer.

Full story: talkSPORT

Arsenal are set to sign Basel defender Fabian Schar, 21, in January as boss Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his backline.

Full story: Metro

Bristol City are interested in signing winger Luke Freeman, 21, in a £300,000 deal from League One rivals Stevenage.

Full story: Daily Star

Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk, 21, is wanted on loan by MK Dons and Swindon.

Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Sunderland want Watford boss Gianfranco Zola to succeed fellow Italian Paolo Di Canio as manager.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackpool manager Paul Ince could also be looked at by Black Cats officials as Di Canio's successor.

Full story: Daily Mail

Unemployed duo Roberto Di Matteo and Gus Poyet, also contenders to replace Di Canio, have serious reservations about taking the job.

Full story: Guardian

Liverpool are prepared to wait before offering Glen Johnson, 29, a new contract despite the defender entering the final two years of his current deal.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he does not know when forward Theo Walcott, 24, will be fit to return from a stomach problem.

Full story: Independent

Arsenal have won all three games in which Mesut Ozil has played

Wenger still has a £50m transfer pot to spend at Arsenal even after paying £42.5m for 24-year-old midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

Manager Owen Coyle has blamed TV schedules for the fact Wigan will have to play a weakened team against Manchester City on Tuesday night in the Capital One Cup just two days after their Championship game with Ipswich.

Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

On-loan Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, 20, has revealed how he is improving his game - by watching every second of every Premier League game.

Full story: Metro

Wolves striker Leigh Griffiths, 23, was praised for giving his shirt to a pensioner after striking the lifelong fan with a ball while warming up before his side's 1-0 win at Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Full story: Express and Star