Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

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

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are ready to rekindle their interest in Manchester City's Sergio Aguero after being encouraged to pursue the 25-year-old striker by Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi.

Full story: Daily Express

Sergio Aguero is the Premier League's joint top-scorer on eight goals

Another City striker linked with a move is Bosnian Edin Dzeko, 27, who is on Arsenal's wanted list.

Full story: Daily Mirror

AC Milan's 27-year-old Italy international right-back Ignazio Abate is also thought to be a target for Arsene Wenger.

Full story: Talksport

Hull will make a fresh £6.5m bid for West Brom striker Shane Long, 26, in January after they failed to sign him in the summer.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are lining up an approach for Hamburg defender Dennis Aogo, 26, after learning that the Germany international could be available for as little as £2.5m.

Full story: Daily Express

Fulham will attempt to sign Manchester United duo Wilfried Zaha, 21, and Anderson, 25, on loan in January.

Full story: Metro

Borussia Dortmund want Atletico Madrid striker and Liverpool target Diego Costa, 25, to replace Robert Lewandowski, who is widely expected to leave the club at the end of the season.

Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea striker Demba Ba, 28, is hoping to quit English football and move to a Turkish club in January after failing to make an impact since his £7.5m move from Newcastle.

Full story: Evening Standard

Barcelona are close to offering midfielder Andres Iniesta, 29, a bumper new contract at the club in order to ward off interest from Manchester United.

Full story: Metro

Manchester United are scouting 19-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Carolos Mane, who has a £1m buy-out clause in his contract.

Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United plan to offer England striker Wayne Rooney, 28, a new four-year contract worth a reported £52m by the New Year.

Full story: Sun (subscription required)

Crystal Palace hope to have their new manager in place by the weekend with former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu, now at Dynamo Moscow, the favourite.

Full story: Evening Standard

Cristiano Ronaldo warms up for Friday's match against Sweden in a Portugal training session

As Sweden prepare to play Portugal in Friday's World Cup play-off, coach Erik Hamren says his striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 32, is better than Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Full story: Daily Mail

England boss Roy Hodgson says Wigan midfielder Callum McManaman, 22, could still force his way into England's World Cup squad with some impressive performances in the remainder of the season.

Full story: Sky Sports

Ashley Cole, 32, has been warned by England boss Roy Hodgson that his place is under threat, and his battle for the left-back berth with Leighton Baines, 28, has been dubbed "Shoot-out."

Full story: Daily Express

Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, who scored a stunning goal on his England debut against Montenegro last month, says he has to score more goals to cement his place in the Spurs team, and thus increase his chances of a place at the World Cup.

Full stroy: Talksport

Townsend's Tottenham colleague, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 26, who will lead France in Friday's World Cup qualifying play-off in Ukraine, says he was fit to play for Spurs against Newcastle last weekend but medical staff told him not to.

Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

Lionel Messi's brother has taken it upon himself to campaign for the Barcelona forward to be awarded this year's Ballon d'Or by tweeting a picture of Messi's trophy haul since 2009 alongside a graphic of Real Madrid's Ronaldo from the same time period.

Full story: Daily Mail

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