Gossip column: Van Gaal, Giggs, Shelvey, Ben Arfa, Sherwood

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Emre Can (right) has scored two goals in 34 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen this season

Liverpool are eyeing the midfielder dubbed the "new Michael Ballack of German football" in Emre Can, 20, and his Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Heung-Min Son, 21, who is a South Korea international striker.

Full story: Daily Star, external

Former England captain Paul Ince has been in Athens to meet Olympiakos officials for the possible transfer to the Greek champions of his son Tom from Blackpool this summer. The 22-year-old winger has spent the second half of the season on loan at Crystal Palace.

Full story: Channel News Asia, external

Schalke's 20-year-old left-back Sead Kolasinac - one of the hottest prospects in the Bundesliga - has emerged as a target for Manchester United.

Full story: Daily Express, external

Image source, Reuters
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Shelvey has scored six league goals for Swansea this season

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has identified midfield as his top transfer priority if he takes over at Manchester United this summer and will target Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos, 24, and Roma's Dutch international Kevin Strootman, 24.

Full story: Daily Star, external

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is ready to bid for Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, 22.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes is hopeful he will sign Liverpool winger Oussama Assaidi on a permanent deal at the end of the season when the 25-year-old's loan stint at the Britannia Stadium comes to an end.

Full story: Daily Express, external

Liverpool are the latest club to show an interest in Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, 22, who has been watched by Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle and Juventus after scoring 17 goals this season.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Rio Ferdinand, 35, is pondering offers from Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Besiktas, MLS outfit LA Galaxy and Al Gharafa of Qatar but the Manchester United defender says he would prefer to agree a new contract to stay at Old Trafford.

Full story: The Guardian, external

Arsenal are said to be considering a move for United midfielder Maraoune Fellaini, 26, a year after his move to Old Trafford from Everton.

Full story: Caught Offside, external

OTHER GOSSIP

Ryan Giggs insists that Manchester United have the right players to make a concerted challenge for the Premier League title next season.

Full story: the Sun (subscription required), external

Image source, PA
Image caption,

Van Gaal, 62, has previously managed Barcelona twice and Bayern Munich

Former United defender Henning Berg says Giggs has the qualities to become a top manager but appointing him at Old Trafford would be a gamble as someone with experience is needed.

Full story: Goal.com, external

Meanwhile, United forward Juan Mata, 25, says interim boss Giggs is the perfect man to lead the club as manager.

Full story: Metro, external

But Louis van Gaal - who remains the favourite for the job - wants United to name him as manager now so he can concentrate on his World Cup campaign as Netherlands boss.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required), external

United are coming under increasing pressure from Nike and Adidas to finalise a new kit deal, thought to be worth around £600m, before the start of the World Cup in June.

Full story: Daily Telegraph, external

Newcastle United have played down talk that midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, 27, has been banished from the squad but the Frenchman could still leave St James' Park this summer.

Full story: Newcastle Chronicle, external

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Allardyce, 59, could be set to leave West Ham

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says their managerial situation will be discussed in the summer following fans' angry protests against Sam Allardyce during Saturday's loss to West Brom.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external

Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood is getting frustrated with other managers who he believes are touting themselves for his job.

Full story: Daily Telegraph, external

AND FINALLY

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane regrets his disrespect to former team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes for not including them in in his 'greatest Manchester United XI' in a recent documentary.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

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