Gossip column: Ben Arfa, Crouch, Alli, Isco, Cavani, Lennon

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Hatem Ben Arfa, 27, could cancel his loan move to Hull and return to Newcastle if Alan Pardew is sacked. (The Sun - subscription required), external

Stoke manager Mark Hughes says he has had no contact with QPR counterpart Harry Redknapp regarding striker Peter Crouch, 33. (Daily Mail) , external

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Isco has been sidelined at Real Madrid by the signings of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos

Liverpool and Bayern Munich target Dele Alli, 18, says his performance for MK Dons in the Capital One Cup victory over Manchester United has inspired him to aim to play in the Premier League. (Daily Telegraph), external

Liverpool and Arsenal are readying bids for Real Madrid's unwanted playmaker Isco, 22, in the next transfer window. (Daily Express), external

The Gunners are also ready to make a January move for unhappy PSG striker Edinson Cavani, 27. (Daily Express), external

Hull City are leading a nine-club chase for 21-year-old Middlesbrough winger Adam Reach and are ready to pay £2m to secure his signature. (Daily Mirror), external

Bolton want Crystal Palace defender Paddy McCarthy, 31, on loan. (Daily Star), external

And Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman says winger Rob Hall, 20 could go out on loan to boost his chances of first-team action. (Sky Sports), external

OTHER GOSSIP

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has criticised Partizan Belgrade fans after they unveiled an anti-Semitic banner at Thursday's Europa League match. (Daily Star), external

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has expressed an interest in taking charge of Cardiff City after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer resigned. (The Times - subscription required), external

But Lennon is also reported to be leading the race for the vacant manager's role at Fulham following Felix Magath's dismissal, with ex-Spurs boss Tim Sherwood his main rival. (The Sun - subscription required), external

Image source, Daily Mirror
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The Daily Mirror back page

Dundee manager Paul Hartley, former West Brom boss Steve Clarke and ex-Norwich manager Chris Hughton are among the other names in the frame for the Cardiff job.(Guardian), external

Former Manchester City striker Niall Quinn tells "lethargic" Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure, 31, that he needs to prove he is worth a new Manchester City contract.(Talksport), external

Angel Di Maria, 26, says he is "grateful" to Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal for giving him his chance at Old Trafford.(Daily Express), external

But Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis, 33, says the Dutchman made Bayern Munich "stink" when he took over as manager in 2009. (Independent), external

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has targeted new deals for Fabian Delph, 24, and Ron Vlaar, 29, after committing his own future to the club.(Daily Mirror), external

Villa defender Alan Hutton, 29, insists assistant manager Roy Keane's 'volcanic' personality has been key to the Birmingham club's impressive start to the Premier League season.(Daily Mail), external

West Brom manager Alan Irvine says his squad is finally injury-free, after all 25 members senior players trained ahead of Sunday's trip to Tottenham. (Birmingham Mail), external

Alan Pardew believes he is fighting "mass hysteria" as he bids to save his job as Newcastle United manager. (Independent), external

But the Magpies' boss has hit back at suggestions he has lost his passion for the club, happy just to see out the remaining years on his long-term contract. (Chronicle), external

Image source, Getty Images
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Adel Taarabt has been told to shape up by QPR boss Harry Redknapp

QPR boss Harry Redknapp has ordered midfielder Adel Taarabt, 25, to lose weight if he wants to become a Premier League star. (Daily Mail), external

Redknapp is confident QPR fans will not boo Mark Hughes when the Welshman makes his first return to Loftus Road since being sacked as manager.(Stoke Sentinel), external

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking's "Wolfman" eyebrows were a social media sensation during his side's Europa League match against Everton on Thursday. (Metro), external

As was the appearance of former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, 26, from the Wolfsburg bench. (101 Great Goals), external

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli beat team-mate Raheem Sterling at table tennis and posted a picture on Instagram, external of the England winger facing the club's traditional under-the-table punishment for losing.

AND FINALLY

Staff at Manchester Dogs' Home believe Balotelli, 24, is behind a mystery five-figure donation they received after 60 dogs were killed at the refuge last week. (Daily Mirror), external