Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

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

Transfer gossip

Manchester United are pondering a move for Porto left-back Alex Sandro, 22, as a long-term successor to Patrice Evra.

Full story: Metro

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Porto defender Alex Sandro

Arsenal and Manchester City are monitoring Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 32, as the Spaniard continues to find himself marginalised at the Bernabeu.

Full story: Daily Express

Chelsea are close to reaching an agreement with Inter Milan for Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin, 27.

Full story: London's Evening Standard

Paris St-Germain are considering an ambitious triple swoop for Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, 22, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 20, and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, 20.

Full story: Daily Express

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has been persuaded to join Major League Soccer team Toronto FC during a phonecall with the rapper, Drake. The Canadian musician is an ambassador for the franchise with 31-year-old Defoe expected to be loaned back to Spurs until the MLS starts again in March.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the club have received no bids for Arsenal and Manchester United midfield target Angel Di Maria, 25, despite the player's agent admitting huge interest in his client.

Full story: Daily Star

Manchester United are ready to open contract talks with winger Antonio Valencia, 28, to avoid losing him on the cheap.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea and AC Milan will battle to sign Wolfsburg's Swiss defender Ricardo Rodriguez with the German club warning that the 21-year-old will not be available until next summer.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

Arsenal are monitoring Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, 25, with view to a £32m January deal.

Full story: Goal.com

Other gossip

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 29, will be welcomed back into the team by caretaker boss Tim Sherwood after being frozen out by former manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Full story: The Independent

FC Basel manager Murat Yakin says he has been approached by Tottenham to succeed Andre Villas-Boas as the new first team coach.

Full story: Metro

Murat Yakin's FC Basel currently lead the Swiss Super League

Roberto Martinez has claimed leading clubs throughout Europe want Everton to take their young players on loan next season following the impact of Romelu Lukaku, 20, and Gerard Deulofeu, 19, at Goodison Park.

Full story: Guardian

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, 23, must train harder if he is to increase his goal tally, according to boss David Moyes.

Full story: Manchester Evening News

Stoke boss, and former Manchester United striker, Mark Hughes says that Red Devils winger Adnan Januzaj, 18, does need special treatment from referees after United manager David Moyes said officials were not doing enough to protect the winger.

Full story: The Guardian

Former Chievo coach Giuseppe Sannino says he could be the next Watford manager after Gianfranco resigned from the Championship club on Monday.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says his team's results need to improve if he is to stay in his job.

Full story: The Times (subscriptions required)

Global gossip (from BBC Monitoring)

Former QPR and Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is a target for Corsican French Ligue 1 side Bastia, who have made contact with the 32-year-old.

Full story: L'equipe

Juventus could potentially buy Bayern Munich's 27-year-old Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic.

Full story: Tuttosport

Barcelona veteran defender Carles Puyol, 35, could hang up his boots before the season ends due to a knee injury.

Full story: Marca

And finally

Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may have been out with a knee injury since the opening day of the season, but he is getting back to full fitness by showing off some dance moves in the team gym.

Full story: Metro

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