Friday's gossip column: Football transfers and rumours

Follow all of the day's breaking news every weekday with Sportsday.

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea want to sign France under-21 international midfielder Gianelli Imbula, 21, from Marseille.

Gianelli Imbula was Ligue 2's player of the season last term

Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester United are planning to make a renewed bid for Real Madrid's 25-year-old left-back Fabio Coentrao.

Full story: Metro

United manager David Moyes has made Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, 22, a key January target.

Full story: the Times (subscription required)

The Premier League champions will watch Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera, 24, in action next week as Moyes steps up his interest in the Spanish midfielder.

Full story: the Telegraph

Napoli boss Rafa Benitez is keen to sign Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic , 26, but faces a fight with Atletico Madrid for his services.

Full story: the Sun

Norwich City have rejected Wigan's bid to take striker Luciano Becchio on loan.

Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal target Yoann Gourcuff, 27, could be allowed to leave Lyon after talks on a new contract stalled.

Full story: Daily Star

Arsenal and Liverpool are joining Juventus in the race to sign Austrian defender Martin Hinteregger, 21, from Red Bull Salzburg.

Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Jose Mourinho cried when he learned he was being passed over for the Manchester United job, according to a new book in Spain.

Full story: the Guardian

Southampton striker Rickie Lambert is struggling to cope with raised expectations after playing for England, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Full story: Daily Mail

Andre Wisdom has started just one Premier League game for Liverpool this season

Liverpool full-back Andre Wisdom, 20, is willing to go on loan to get first-team football.

Full story: talkSPORT

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke says there is big cash available for Arsene Wenger to make new signings in January.

Full story: The Mirror

Fulham manager Martin Jol wants former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen to join the coaching staff at Craven Cottage.

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool are confident they will open contract negotiations with striker Luis Suarez, 26, next summer.

Full story: the Guardian

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants to help winger Raheem Sterling, 18, put his off-field distractions behind to him to rediscover last season's form.

Full story: the Sun

Aston Villa are preparing for a club-versus-country row over Belgium striker Christian Benteke, 22.

Full story: Daily Star

Fulham fear goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg needs a shoulder operation that will sideline him for a long period.

Full story: Daily Express

AND FINALLY

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, has apologised for a sending-off against Napoli in typically bizarre fashion by saying: "Mario has made a mistake. He has been provoked and made a mistake in reacting. If Mario makes a bad mistake, Mario should be punished."

Full story: Sky Italia

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton, 31, has started a degree in philosophy at Roehampton University.

Full story: The Sun