Gossip column: Messi, Cech, Shaqiri, Hummels, Origi, Rami

For a list of all the latest deals, check out the transfers page.

BBC Sport has released the State of the Game study into the make-up of the Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premiership. View the full findings here.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, who is second choice to Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge.(Daily Star)

Daily Express back page

Lionel Messi's father and agent Jorge said a move to the Premier League would be considered if a bid of £200m was made. (Sun - subscription required)

However, Messi Sr says the prospect of his son leaving Barcelona is "not even on the table". (Daily Mail)

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is exploring the possibility of signing Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, 25, in January for what would be a British record transfer fee for a defender. The mark currently stands at £32m by Manchester City for Eliaquim Mangala. (The Guardian)

Liverpool want to recall their Belgian 19-year-old striker Divock Origi from Lille but are likely to have to pay an additional £5m to release him from his one-year loan. (Daily Mirror)

Bayern Munich winger and Liverpool target Xherdan Shaqiri, 23, could be forced to stay with the German champions until the end of the season as he is cup tied in the Champions League. (Inside Futbol)

Jose Mourinho has ordered his scouts to look at Ipswich defender Tyrone Mings, 21, as a potential long-term replacement for John Terry at Chelsea. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United are preparing a move for AC Milan defender Adil Rami, 28. (Daily Star)

Mats Hummels has been at Borussia Dortmund since 2009

Manchester City are willing to activate 26-year-old Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado's £28m release clause to beat rivals Manchester United to his signing. (Daily Express)

Manchester United are planning to sell midfielder Angel Di Maria, 26, to Paris St-Germain in the summer to create funds for a sensational move for either Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, 25, or Cristiano Ronaldo, 29. (Daily Express)

OTHER GOSSIP

Southampton will offer England international Nathaniel Clyne a new deal to fend off interest from Liverpool in the 23-year-old right-back. (Daily Telegraph)

Danny Welbeck, who faces former club Manchester United on Saturday, says he had to leave for Arsenal after spending much of his time at Old Trafford on the wing. (Manchester Evening News)

Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos, 26, is to return to action just two weeks after suffering a broken leg. Dortmund face Arsenal in the Champions League next Wednesday.(Daily Mirror)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew wants his offensive players to replicate the work-rate of their Bayern Munich counterparts and has changed their style from when Yohan Cabaye was with the Magpies. (Newcastle Chronicle)

Manchester City midfielder Scott Sinclair, who has made just 11 first-team appearances in two years and three months at the club, has hinted that he will be seeking an exit in the January transfer window, but has urged Manuel Pellegrini for one more opportunity. (Manchester Evening News)

Brentford boss Mark Warburton insists Tottenham midfielder Alex Pritchard, who signed a one-year loan deal in the summer, is desperate to stay with the Bees, despite his club having a recall clause in January and rumours of another loan to a Premier League side. (GetWestLondon)

Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton has described Daniel Sturridge's latest injury setback as a "major blow" for the club - and has warned the Reds will struggle to improve their fortunes in the coming weeks. (Talksport)

QPR manager Harry Redknapp says Chelsea are certainties to win the Premier League title. (Talksport)

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Yaya Toure won his 100th cap for the Ivory Coast

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure tweeted a picture of himself after winning his 100th cap for the Ivory Coast in the 0-0 draw with Cameroon.

A tweet by Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton was re-tweeted or favourited over 650 times on Wednesday. "Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light," tweeted Barton.

AND FINALLY

Ivory Coast qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations with a 0-0 draw against Cameron but the match ended in chaos as police had to oversee a pitch invasion in which players such as Roma forward Gervinho were caught up. (Daily Mail)