Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

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

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham have put a £6.5m valuation on Jermain Defoe after interest from West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers for the 31-year-old England international striker.

Full story: Times (subscription required)

Diego Forlan helped Manchester United win the Premier League title in 2002-03

West Ham are set to move for former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan, 34, from Brazilian club Internacional as goals continue to be a problem for Sam Allardyce's side.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has rowed with the club's hierarchy over who they should sign in the January transfer window - just six weeks into the job.

Full story: Metro

Former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, 23, is not looking to move away from AC Milan in January despite interest from Chelsea.

Full story: Daily Star

Chelsea are ready to bid for Monaco's 27-year-old Colombia striker Radamel Falcao in January but will face competition from Real Madrid.

Full story: Daily Express

Newcastle United have revived their interest in Bafetimbi Gomis, 28, after failing to agree a fee in the summer for the Lyon and France striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Full story: Times (subscription required)

Former Scotland striker Kenny Miller, 33, contracted to Vancouver Whitecaps until June 2014, has refused to rule out joining Rangers for the third time in his career.

Full story: Daily Record

WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has four England caps but has not played for his country since March 2011

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, 30, is hoping he can still do enough to force his way on to the England plane for Brazil.

Full story: Talksport

The FA is worried that several players could suffer summer burnout before the World Cup, as a result of money-spinning end-of-season club tours in May.

Full story: Daily Mirror

If English players are involved in the Champions League final in Lisbon, they face a quick turnaround to be ready for England's last Wembley friendly before the World Cup.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Tottenham winger Andros Townsend says England's fringe players need to forget about the World Cup if they want to book their seats on the plane to Brazil. "Everyone has to put England to one side now and focus on club form," says the 22-year-old. "That is what is going to get people on that plane."

Full story: Daily Star

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 21, has only played one game for Brazil - a friendly against Iran in 2010 - but hopes good form for the Reds will earn him a place in his country's squad for the 2014 World Cup.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis, 55, will be unveiled as Crystal Palace manager later on Friday. Pulis will appoint former Eagles player Dave Kemp, 60, as his assistant.

Full story: Sun (subscription required)

Tottenham midfielder Sandro, 24, says Spurs have to defeat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to stay in the Premier League title race.

Tottenham midfielder Sandro moved to White Hart Lane in the summer of 2010 from Internacional

Full story: Daily Mail

Daniel Sturridge's preparations for Saturday's Merseyside derby at Everton have been described as "not ideal" after the 24-year-old Liverpool striker played through the pain barrier for England against Germany.

Full story: Guardian

Arsenal's Spanish forward Santi Cazorla, 28, says he was like an excited young fan when Arsene Wenger announced to the Arsenal players that 25-year-old Germany international Mesut Ozil had signed for the club.

Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, has celebrated taking Portugal to the World Cup by building his own museum.

Full story: Sun (subscription required)

Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, 34, has been banned from playing for Romania ever again after comparing the team's manager Victor Piturca to Mr Bean.

Full story: Metro

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