Gossip column: World Cup, Wilshere, Rooney, Vela, Jovetic

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WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Former England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce says Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, 22, is short of form and confidence and will not play any part at the World Cup. Talksport

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has yet to score in 18 appearances for England

The 2014 World Cup is made for Wayne Rooney, according to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who thinks England could win the trophy if they survive a difficult group. Sun (subscription)

A successful World Cup for Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo will propel his earnings even beyond those of ex-England captain and global icon David Beckham. Daily Telegraph

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has refused to be drawn on England manager Roy Hodgson's future after the World Cup, but said that emerging from a difficult group would be considered a success. Guardian

England would be wise to move for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers or Everton's Roberto Martinez as successor to Hodgson, according to Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp. Talksport

England practised penalties at the end of training to prepare for a shootout in the knockout stages, although they did so without a goalkeeper between the posts - and some players still missed. Times (subscription)

England could deploy Liverpool's Raheem Sterling in a number 10 role when they face Italy in Manaus in their World Cup opener on Saturday.Daily Mirror

Brazil legend Pele says Portugal's Ronaldo will find it harder to succeed at the World Cup than Lionel Messi because the 26-year-old Argentine forward is surrounded by better players.Marca (in Spanish)

Atletico Madrid's 22-year-old midfielder Koke has a major role to play in Spain's defence of their World Cup crown.AS (in Spanish)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle are open to offers for Italian defender Davide Santon, 23, with boss Alan Pardew set to make 21-year-old Massadio Haidara his first choice left-back. Newcastle Journal

Davide Santon made 40 appearances in Serie A for Inter Milan before he joined Newcastle in 2011

Arsenal are very interested in 27-year-old Colombia striker Jackson Martinez, who will cost the Gunners £30m from Porto. Talksport

Liverpool are set to allow midfielders Suso, 20, and Luis Alberto, 21, to leave Anfield this summer along with 20-year-old striker Samed Yesil. Liverpool Echo

West Ham are believed to be pursuing a move for Micah Richards, with the 25-year-old defender poised to reject a new contract at Manchester City. Metro

Inter Milan are ready to test Manchester City's resolve to keep striker Stevan Jovetic, just a year after the Premier League champions bought the 24-year-old from Fiorentina for £22m. Daily Mirror

But City boss Manuel Pellegrini is understood to be keen to hang on to Montenegro striker Jovetic despite a difficult debut season at the Etihad. Daily Star

Everton will make an offer of £2.5m for 21-year-old Heerenveen midfielder Hakim Ziyech as they look to beat off interest from Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. Daily Mirror

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has identified Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez, 25, as a £20m transfer target. Guardian

Arsenal will welcome striker Carlos Vela back to the Emirates next season as Real Sociedad's president confirmed the Gunners have expressed their desire to take up a £3.2m buy-back clause on the 25-year-old Mexican. Daily Express

Tottenham and Liverpool are tracking Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Karl Darlow, 23. Daily Mail

Liverpool's attempt to sign 21-year-old left-back Alberto Moreno from Seville for £16.2m has reached a halt because the La Liga side have reportedly demanded the bulk of the transfer fee up front. Independent

Hull City boss Steve Bruce is closing in on a double swoop for winger Thomas Ince, 22, and centre-back Joleon Lescott, 31, who are out of contract with Blackpool and Manchester City respectively. Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

West Brom are poised to offer former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood the head coach's job at The Hawthorns. Express & Star

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood won 14 of his 28 games in charge at White Hart Lane

New Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to build his team around 30-year-old Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor. London Evening Standard

Southampton are closing in on appointing a new manager following Pochettino's exit to Tottenham, according to the club's executive director Les Reed. FourFourTwo

Hull City boss Steve Bruce is the Saints' number-one target to fill their vacant manager's role. Daily Mirror

Spain striker Fernando Torres, 30, had been told he still has a future at Chelsea despite the arrival of 25-year-old forward Diego Costa for £32m from Atletico Madrid. Sun

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni, 35, is poised to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park to end speculation over his future. Sky Sports

Leeds United must pay £400,000 in compensation to Reading if they want to land Eamonn Dolan as boss. Daily Star

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

The chances of Liverpool and Manchester City signing out-of-contract Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 32, have improved after Monaco backed out of a deal. L'Equipe (in French)

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been capped 20 times by Spain

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is certain that 26-year-old attacking midfielder Angel Di Maria will stay at the club for another season. Marca (in Spanish)

Atletico Madrid have not given up hope of signing Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The 22-year-old Belgium international has been on loan with Atletico from Chelsea since 2011. AS (in Spanish)

Roma have rejected a £28m offer from Bayern Munich for Morocco defender Mehdi Benatia, 27, who is also a target for both Manchester clubs. Bild (in German)

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are in the hunt for 26-year-old Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna. Tuttosport (in Italian)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could make a summer move for Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier, 23, and Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, 24. L'Equipe (in French)

AND FINALLY

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie may want to stay away from the beach after being hit by a stray kite surfer while strolling on the Rio waterfront on Monday. Metro

German scientists have predicted the outcome of every single match at the World Cup and revealed that their country will reach the final - but lose to Spain. Daily Mirror

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has asked his followers to bewitch Germany's Miroslav Klose, so he doesn't break his World Cup record of 15 goals. Bild (in German)

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