Friday's gossip column

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has called Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, 25, a "spectacular" signing, believing his former club now have the experience to challenge for the league title.

Image caption,

Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas made his Arsenal debut as a 16-year-old against Rotherham in 2003.

Full story: Guardian, external

Hamburg goalkeeper Rene Adler, 28, says he has twice rejected moves to Arsenal but could now join the Gunners in January.

Full story: Metro, external

Serie A side Inter Milan could offer Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, 27, an escape route out of Arsenal.

Full story: Talksport, external

Liverpool are considering a January swoop for Manchester City striker John Guidetti, 21.

Full story: Metro, external

Liverpool are also keen on signing former Manchester United goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, 24, from Bundesliga side Hannover 96.

Full story: Daily Star, external

Wolfsburg will not allow teenage winger Julian Brandt to leave the club in January. The 17-year-old is being tracked by Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.

Full story: Inside Futbol, external

Ligue 1 side Paris St-Germain were involved in negotiations with Adnan Januzaj's agent about signing the 18-year-old on a free transfer at the end of the season before the Belgian-born winger committed his future to Manchester United earlier this month.

Full story: Daily Express, external

OTHER GOSSIP

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 26, says that Arsenal is in his heart and he would like to start his coaching career at his former club when he retires from playing.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Image caption,

Manchester City striker John Guidetti scored 20 goals in 23 matches during a loan spell at Feyenoord in 2012.

Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, 62, ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and 1998 World Cup winner Marcel Desailly have been lined up as coaches in the new Indian Super League scheduled to start in January 2014.

Full story: Daily Mirror , external

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has ruled out handing midfielder Fabian Delph a new deal because he does not want to 'disrupt' him. The 23-year-old's current contract expires at the end of next season.

Full story: Daily Mirror , external

Lambert has admitted for the first time that he enquired about taking striker Romelu Lukaku, 20, on loan from Chelsea last summer before the claret and blues signed Christian Benteke, 22, on a permanent deal.

Full story: Birmingham Mail, external

Manchester United are close to agreeing a world record £300m five-year kit deal with Nike. It will triple the annual amount they receive in the current deal with the sportswear manufacturer.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required), external

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes that Sir Alex Ferguson's criticisms of midfielders Steven Gerrard, 33, and Jordan Henderson, 23, in his autobiography are down to his frustration at his failure to sign them for Manchester United.

Full story: Liverpool Echo , external

New Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has said he is not afraid to drop Sunderland's big-name stars ahead of his first Wear-Tyne derby with Newcastle on Sunday.

Full story: Sunderland Echo, external

AND FINALLY

British actor Tim Roth, 52, has been cast as Fifa chief Sepp Blatter in the film F2014, which will be released to coincide with the 2014 World Cup and Fifa's own 110th anniversary.

Full story: Metro, external

Fulham manager Martin Jol, 57, says Sir Alex Ferguson never paid him back his fare when he travelled to Manchester to discuss the assistant manager's role at Old Trafford in 2004.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Belgium's players made surprise visits to the homes of various supporters during the last international break to help out with the domestic chores. In one home, midfielder Eden Hazard, 22, dried the dishes.

Full story: Daily Telegraph, external