Wednesday's gossip column

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, 27, says he would consider leaving the Gunners in January to improve his chances of playing at the World Cup for Belgium.

Image caption,

Thomas Vermaelen has played just 10 minutes for Arsenal in the Premier League this season

Full story: The Times (subscription only), external

Manchester United are ready to activate the £16m release clause of Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, 21, who is also a target for Barcelona.

Full story: Daily Star, external

Manchester United are winning the race to sign Brazilian Bruno Gomes with Real Madrid, Udinese and Sao Paolo all chasing the 17-year-old Desportivo Brazil forward.

Full story: Daily Express, external

Manchester United boss David Moyes could send Wilfried Zaha, 20, out on loan because he is unsure the winger is ready to play for the club.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external

Championship side Wigan Athletic are struggling to afford to take South Korean striker Park Chu-Young, 28, on loan from Arsenal because of his wages - even with the Gunners paying some of the cost.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, 31, denies he is planning to join Barcelona next summer upon completion of his year-long loan in Italy with Napoli.

Full story: Daily Star, external

Arsenal target Karim Benzema, 25, could be sold by Real Madrid to fund a move for 27-year-old Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, the Spanish club's president Florentino Perez has admitted.

Full story: London Standard, external

Benzema remains high on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's radar ahead of the January transfer window though, with the Frenchman confident he can sign the Real Madrid striker for £30m.

Full story: The Sun, external

OTHER GOSSIP

Forward Gareth Bale, 24, looks set to return to La Liga action on Saturday, in preparation for Real Madrid's Champions League match with Juventus next week, after an injury-hit start to life in Spain.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Image caption,

Darron Gibson was taken off on a stretcher in the Republic of Ireland's win over Kazakhstan

Everton midfielder Darron Gibson, 25, faces a lengthy spell out injured after he suffered suspected knee ligament damage during the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has reached an agreement to sell 70% of the club to the Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir for a price of around £300m.

Full story: The Guardian, external

A Manchester United fans' group opposed to the club's US owners, the Glazer family, has attracted more than 200,000 members and has now set its sights on reaching one million.

Full story: Manchester Evening News, external

Former Derby County boss Nigel Clough has refused to apply for another managerial role until he has sorted his pay-off with Derby County after his dismissal a fortnight ago.

Full story: The Sun, external

Scottish League One side Dunfermline were saved from going out of business with just 15 minutes to spare.

Full story: Daily Record, external

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany may return to Premier League action at West Ham after missing Belgium's two World Cup qualifiers because of a thigh injury.

Full story: Daily Express, external

Former Newcastle and Peru midfielder Nolberto Solano, 38, has applied to become the new boss of League Two Bury.

Full story: Daily Express, external

WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Poland coach Waldemar Fornalik believes England will be "among the contenders for the title" at next year's World Cup in Brazil after his side lost 2-0 to Roy Hodgson's men on Tuesday.

Full story: The Guardian , external

World football's player union has denied that its vice-president had threatened a boycott of the 2022 World Cup if the tournament was not moved from the summer.

Full story: Daily Telegraph, external

Wales gave a debut to Liverpool's 16-year-old striker Harry Wilson late in their 1-1 draw with Belgium to end any hope England might have had of capping him.

Full story: Daily Telegraph, external

AND FINALLY

Italy players will be banned from using social media at the World Cup after AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, was labelled an 'imbecile' by an anti-mafia campaigner over a tweet.

Full story: Daily Telegraph, external