Wednesday's gossip column

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Loic Remy, 26, has dealt Newcastle a blow by suggesting he may desert the Toon Army if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Loic Remy has scored 10 league goals this season

Full story: Metro

Manchester City could be beaten to the signing of 17-year-old Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho by Sporting Lisbon. Iheanacho was named player of the tournament at the recent U17 World Cup.

Full story: Talksport

West Ham target Leo Baptistao has been told he can leave Atletico Madrid on loan, but the Hammers will face stiff competition to land the 21-year-old Brazilian on a temporary deal.

Full story: Talksport

Meanwhile, West Ham have emerged as surprise contenders to sign £8m-rated Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, 31.

Full story: Mirror

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, 31, could leave the club in the January transfer window, according to his agent.

Full story: London Evening Standard

Manager Arsene Wenger has hinted he will dip into the transfer market to buy a goalscorer after an injury to Olivier Giroud left Arsenal thin on the ground in attack.

Full story: Metro

Liverpool are keen on signing FC Basel's 21-year-old Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah - but reports suggesting a £7m fee has been agreed are wide of the mark.

Mohamed Salah scored against Chelsea in the Champions League in November

Full story: Liverpool Echo

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has identified Everton centre-back John Heitinga, 30, as the solution to his defensive problems. The Netherlands international, who has not featured for the Toffees in the league this season, could sign this week.

Full story: Sky Sports

Turkish side Besiktas have targeted out-of-favour Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, 31, but the England centre-back wants to stay in England.

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool want to sign £7m-rated Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, 23.

Full story: Daily Star

Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen hopes to buy 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Zakaria Labyad, despite interest from PSV Eindhoven.

Full story: Talksport

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has agreed a "first option" deal for Derby County's highly-rated 18-year-old midfielder Will Hughes.

Full story: Mirror

Tottenham have warned Italian giants Milan and Juventus that attacker Erik Lamela, 21, who signed in the summer from Roma for a club-record £30m, is not for sale.

Full story: Daily Mail

Hull City are linking up a £1m bid for Celtic striker Georgios Samaras.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Meanwhile, Celtic are preparing a £1m move of their own for Wolves and Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths.

Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Everton have placed a £25m price tag on left-back Leighton Baines, 29, in an attempt to ward off interest from Manchester United.

Full story: Goal.com

Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush claims forward Luis Suarez, 26, has a £120m get-out clause in his new deal.

Full story: the Sun (subscription required)

Chelsea target Luke Shaw, 18, is set to line up for Southampton against the Blues on Wednesday - a decade after being rejected by the Stamford Bridge club for being too small.

Full story: Mirror

Cardiff still hope to appoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their manager, despite reports the former Manchester United forward has turned down the Welsh club.

Full story: Guardian

AND FINALLY

Tottenham midfielder Sandro, 24, sent a chilling message to Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam, 28, after his tackle left Paulinho, 25, on the sidelines for at least a month.

Full story: Metro

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