Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea want to bring former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, 32, back to the Premier League after the Spain international snubbed new contract talks at Real Madrid.

Xabi Alonso left Liverpool for Real Madrid in August 2009.

Full story: Daily Express

Manchester United are preparing to send 19-year-old playmaker Nick Powell to Hull City on loan after his success at Championship side Wigan.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are planning a £7m bid for Udinese's Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, 23, in January after Reds boss Brendan Rodgers bemoaned his lack of squad depth.

Full story: Metro

Everton manager Roberto Martinez can "guarantee" that left-back Leighton Baines, 29, will not be leaving for Manchester United during the January transfer window.

Full story: Sky Sports

Stoke boss Mark Hughes wants to bring former Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne, 25, back to the Premier League - in a loan deal from Hamburg.

Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR manager Harry Redknapp wants to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane, 20, on loan.

Full story: The Sun (subscription)

OTHER GOSSIP

Ray Wilkins, 57, is to return to Fulham as part of Rene Meulensteen's coaching staff. Wilkins was manager at Craven Cottage in 1997 prior to taking up coaching roles at Chelsea, Watford and Millwall.

Full story: Daily Mail

Ray Wilkins won 84 caps for England as a player after making his debut in 1976.

West Ham United expect striker Andy Carroll to be playing within "two to three weeks" according to owner David Gold, which means manager Sam Allardyce can shift his focus to defensive reinforcements once the transfer window opens.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Tottenham are keeping tabs on Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone despite appointing Tim Sherwood as their head coach on an 18-month contract.

Full story: Daily Star

Gabriel Obertan's days at Newcastle United may be numbered after the French winger stormed out of St James' Park when he was told he would not be involved in the clash against Arsenal.

Full story: Daily Mail

Cardiff City remain determined to appoint Molde boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their manager but have ruled out a move for ex-England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Celtic target, midfielder Mahmoud Hassan, 19, has handed in a transfer request to force through a move to Parkhead from Egyptian club Al-Ahly.

Full story: Daily Record

Blackburn want to sign Bradford striker Nahki Wells, 23, with QPR and Wigan also interested in the £3m rated forward.

Full story: The Sun (subscription)

AND FINALLY

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has informed the club's board that he prefers them to buy players with the number eight in their birth date.

Full story: Metro

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