Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have been told by Borussia Dortmund that they will have to pay up to £40m to sign Germany midfielder Marco Reus, 24.

Full story: Daily Mail

Italy forward Alessio Cerci has scored nine league goals for Torino this season

Hull City are targeting Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher in a £6m transfer. The Scotland international, 26, has not scored for the Black Cats since 27 October and has recently been struggling with an ankle injury.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea are willing to offer Senegal striker Demba Ba to Inter Milan as a makeweight in their efforts to sign the Italian club's Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin, 27.

Full story: Talksport

Manchester United target Alessio Cerci, 26, says he wants to leave Italian side Torino and play Champions League football before next summer's World Cup.

Full story: Talksport

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino says he is under no pressure to sell Saints captain Adam Lallana, 25, following speculation linking the England midfielder with Manchester United.

Full story: Sky Sports

Chelsea and England international Ashley Cole, 33, would like to see Southampton's 18-year-old left-back Luke Shaw move to Stamford Bridge.

Full story: the Guardian

Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, 28, is a target for new Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood for a fee of around £5m when the January transfer window opens.

Full story: Metro

OTHER GOSSIP

West Bromwich Albion look set to appoint former Real Betis coach Pepe Mel, 50, as Steve Clarke's successor.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Reported West Brom target Pepe Mel was sacked by Spanish side Real Betis earlier this month

Former Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo could be offered a return to management with his old club Lazio. The 43-year-old, who played for the Italian club in the 1990s, is being lined up to replace Vladimir Petkovic.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, 33, is likely to return earlier than expected from a hamstring injury and return to full training in the new year. The England midfielder was injured earlier this month and was initially ruled out for six weeks.

Full story: Liverpool Echo

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is keeping his title-chasing squad in a Manchester hotel rather than allow them to go home between their Boxing Day win over Liverpool and Saturday's home game against Crystal Palace.

Full story: Manchester Evening News

AND FINALLY

Prince Harry received a warning from the referee for a wild challenge in a charity football match at the Queen's Sandringham estate, while also committing a late tackle on brother William.

Full story: Daily Mail

Paris St-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been branded "boring" and "sad" by Pia Sundhage, coach of Sweden's women's national team, following comments made by the 32-year-old saying his country's men's team deserve to get more recognition than their female counterparts.

Full story: the Guardian

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