Gossip column: Rooney, Gerrard, Fabregas, Balotelli, Negredo

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WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Wayne Rooney insists England need to discover their nasty side to succeed at major tournaments. The Manchester United striker, 28, believes he and his international team-mates are "too honest". Sun (subscription required), external

Image source, Mail on Sunday
Image caption,

The Mail on Sunday's back page

England manager Roy Hodgson will try to persuade captain Steven Gerrard, 34, not to retire from international football following their early World Cup exit. Mail on Sunday, external

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque argued with Cesc Fabregas during training on Saturday. The Chelsea midfielder, 27, was part of the team preparing to face Australia on Monday but was forced to give his bib to Xabi Alonso after Del Bosque was angered by the former Barcelona man's attitude. El Mundo Deportivo (Spanish), external

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari sent former AC Milan and Leeds defender Roque Junior to scout Spain at almost every match played by the world champions in the last three years. Scolari was convinced his team would face Del Bosque's side at some stage in Brazil. Marca (Spanish), external

Greece's Fulham striker Konstantinos Mitroglu has warned Ivory Coast that his team's experience of shocking Russia at Euro 2012 means they will not give up on reaching the last 16. Ethnos (Greek), external

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has criticised world governing body Fifa after seven Costa Rica players were required to give urine samples to drug testers after their 1-0 win over Italy. Gazzetta Dello Sport (Italian), external

The entire Spain squad and coaching staff ate out together on Saturday for the first time since leaving for the World Cup. Marca (Spanish), external

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is meeting Mario Balotelli's agent in Brazil this weekend to discuss a potential £25m move for Italy's AC Milan striker, 23. Daily Star Sunday, external

Real Madrid are interested in England winger Raheem Sterling but will wait until next summer before making any move for the Liverpool youngster, 19.Sunday Mirror, external

Image source, EPA
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Balotelli left Manchester City for AC Milan in 2013

Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle are all competing to sign Ecuador striker Enner Valencia. The Pachuca forward, 25, has scored three goals in two games at the World Cup.Sunday Express, external

Spain striker Alvaro Negredo wants to leave Manchester City for Atletico Madrid and the current La Liga champions want the 28-year-old to replace Chelsea-bound Diego Costa, 25.Sunday Mirror, external

Monaco's Colombia international forward Radamel Falcao, 28, has turned down approaches from Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham.Sunday Express, external

Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, 27, has refused to rule out a move away from Paris St-Germain after being linked with Manchester United.Sunday Mirror, external

Liverpool are losing interest in England midfielder Adam Lallana - because they do not believe the 26-year-old is worth the £30m fee Southampton are demanding.Sun (subscription required), external

Lallana will attempt to force through a move to Liverpool when the England squad returns home from the World Cup next week, but is reluctant to put in a transfer request. Sunday Echo, external

Image source, AFP
Image caption,

Depay scored for the Netherlands in the 3-2 win over Australia

Tottenham will make a £10m move for Newcastle's Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul, 26, if Hugo Lloris, 27, returns to France to sign for Paris St-Germain. Mail on Sunday, external

Swansea and QPR will rival Arsenal in the race to sign Toulouse's Ivory Coast full-back Serge Aurier, 21. L'Equipe (French), external

Aurier has agreed personal terms with Arsenal and will cost the Gunners £8m. Daily Star Sunday, external

Tottenham want Netherlands' PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay, 20, who could cost £17m. Sunday Mirror, external

Everton are interested in signing Crystal Palace's DR Congo winger Yannick Bolasie, 25. Sunday Mirror, external

OTHER GOSSIP

Everton U-21 manager Alan Stubbs, 42, is set to be appointed boss of Hibernian. Stubbs could take his current assistant David Unsworth to Easter Road as his number two. Sunday Echo, external

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

England striker Daniel Sturridge tweeted about his disappointment at England's exit,, external saying: "Don't know how long I'll feel like this but it's not something I want to feel again. Looking forward to the Costa Rica game." Sturridge also uploaded a video of himself looking sad, external on to Instagram.

Image source, Martin Demichelis
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Lionel Messi's winner came in the 91st minute

Lionel Messi's dramatic winner against Iran attracted 256,000 tweets per minute - one of the highest peaks of the tournament so far. Rihanna has been adding her football punditry to Twitter again - her tweet celebrating the goal was the most retweeted worldwide in relation to the game.

Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis tweeted a photo, external of the celebrations in Argentina's changing room.

Messi's goal came as a major relief to a gambler in Las Vegas who had put £136,000 on Argentina to win the match. ESPN, external

In training last week, a fence proved to be no obstacle to Messi's keepy-uppy session with team-mate Sergio Aguero. Joe.ie, external

After Miroslav Klose's equaliser against in the 2-2 draw with Ghana moved him level with Ronaldo's World Cup tally of 15 goals, the former Brazil striker tweeted his congratulations,, external saying: "Welcome to the club Klose. I imagine your happiness! What a beautiful World Cup!"

Image source, Peter Odemwingie
Image caption,

Peter Odemwingie struck Nigeria's goal against Bosnia

Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie dedicated his winning goal against Bosnia-Hercegovina on Saturday night to son Theo - born last month - and tweeted a picture of himself to celebrate., external

A mascot made the most of Harrison Afful tying his shoelace in the tunnel before the match against Germany by leaning on the back of the Ghana defender. Het Laatste Nieuws , external

France's Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been pictured playing a football management game as Chelsea, with himself alongside Frank Lampard in midfield, on the plane after his team's 5-2 win over Switzerland. Daily Mail, external

AND FINALLY

The Oranjecamp, housing Netherlands fans in tents in Sao Paulo, has proved so popular that it has been extended to house 550 people.De Telegraaf (Dutch), external

You can comment on the latest gossip on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external