Gossip column: Torres, Lovren, Reus, Nastasic, Kramer

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is plotting a shock move to sign former Reds striker Fernando Torres, 30, who is on loan at AC Milan from Chelsea. (Daily Star), external

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Fernando Torres has scored just one goal in 10 appearances for AC Milan

Atletico Madrid are looking to sign a striker in January, with Torres one of the players they are looking at, along with Arsenal's Lukas Podolski, 29. (AS), external

Liverpool have made a £3.2m offer to sign Atletico Juventud's Uruguayan striker Jaime Baez, 19, who has been dubbed the new Luis Suarez. (Metro), external

Croatia defender Dejan Lovren, 25, faces an uncertain future at Liverpool only six months after his £20m arrival from Southampton, after losing the confidence of some team-mates who feel he is a weak link. (Daily Mirror), external

Real Madrid have pipped Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool in the race to sign Marco Reus, 23, and will complete the deal to sign the Borussia Dortmund midfielder in the next few days. (Daily Star), external

Inter Milan manager and former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is set to buy Serbia defender Matija Nastasic, 21, from his old club. (Daily Mirror), external

Arsenal and Liverpool look set to miss out on a move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Christoph Kramer, after the 23-year-old revealed his desire to remain in the Bundesliga. (Metro), external

Image source, Daily Mirror
Image caption,

Saturday's Daily Mirror back page

Manchester City are considering whether to sign a striker in the January transfer window as Manuel Pellegrini weighs up the need to replace Alvaro Negredo, who is on a season-long loan at Valencia. (Guardian), external

Celtic striker Kris Commons, 31, could make a Premier League move in January after rejecting the club's latest contract offer with Leicester and West Brom interested in signing him. (Sun - subscription required), external

Liverpool midfielder Suso, 21, whose contract is up in the summer, is set to join AC Milan in the January transfer window. (Daily Express), external

OTHER GOSSIP

Manager Brendan Rodgers has responded defiantly to mounting criticism of his Liverpool tenure and claimed he is the best man for the task of restoring fortunes at Anfield. (Guardian), external

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, 23, is set to sign a new £200,000-a-week deal, which will tie him to the London club until 2019, in the next few days. (Daily Express), external

Captain John Terry may join team-mate Hazard in signing a new deal at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hinting the 34-year-old defender could be offered a 12-month extension to his current contract, which expires at the end of the season. (Daily Mail), external

Image source, Independent
Image caption,

The Independent back page previews this weekend's game between Manchester United and Liverpool

Sunderland are ready to open contract talks with midfielders Lee Cattermole, 26, and Adam Johnson, 27, as well as forward Steven Fletcher, 27, to keep the trio at the Stadium of Light. (Sun - subscription required), external

Former Aston Villa assistant manager Roy Keane and forward Gabriel Agbonlahor almost came to blows in an explosive training ground bust-up before the Irishman's shock departure. (Daily Mail), external

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave full-back Mathieu Debuchy, 29, just 24 hours to learn his trade in the centre of defence, and is likely to start the Frenchman in the position against Newcastle United on Saturday evening. (Daily Mirror), external

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie, 31, admits to suffering a World Cup hangover at Manchester United this season, but claims he has now rediscovered his form and silenced suggestions he is past his best. (Daily Telegraph), external

Roma winger Gervinho, 27, has hit out at former employers Arsenal for the way he was treated by manager Arsene Wenger and says he "hates the club". (Daily Express), external

Dave Whelan is expected to step down as Wigan Athletic chairman after accepting the Football Association's charge of misconduct for comments made about Jewish and Chinese people. (Daily Telegraph), external

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Image source, @Paulinho
Image caption,

Fernando's tweet with Fernandinho

Manchester City midfielder Fernando has tweeted a Breaking Bad meme, external sitting next to Brazilian team-mate Fernandinho with the caption "Breaking Legs" following the pair's solid performance in the Champions League victory over Roma.

West Brom defender Joleon Lescott met his match on a visit to Birmingham Children's Hospital ahead of a Midlands derby this weekend when a young Aston Villa fan subjected him to some pre-match banter captured on Aston Villa's YouTube channel., external

Uefa has published a tribute to the World War One truce on their YouTube channel, external featuring Sir Bobby Charlton, Philipp Lahm, Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney and Uefa President Michel Platini.

AND FINALLY

World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, gave his Real Madrid team-mates personalised Bulgari watches worth £6,500 featuring the words 'La Decima' and 'CR7' after the club's Champions League triumph. (Daily Mail), external