Gossip column: De Gea, Sterling, Cole, Cech, Berahino, Allardyce

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid are prepared to break the goalkeeping transfer record to sign Manchester United's David De Gea, 24, for a fee eclipsing the £33m Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001. (Daily Express)

Wednesday's Daily Telegraph back page

However, De Gea has reportedly told team-mates he is staying at Old Trafford and is happy to sign a new contract. (The Sun - subscription required)

Crystal Palace are planning to sign Roma's former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, 33, on loan. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United and Manchester City are ready to make £20m bids for Barcelona's 26-year-old midfielder Ivan Rakitic in January. (Daily Express)

Liverpool are making an attempt to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, on loan. (Daily Mirror)

Newly appointed Real Sociedad boss David Moyes hopes to agree a loan deal with former club Manchester United for 19-year-old forward Adnan Januzaj. (Daily Star)

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is planning to strengthen his attack in January with a move for 22-year-old Burnley striker Danny Ings.(Daily Star)

Tottenham are considering offloading strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado to fund a move for Porto's Jackson Martinez, 28. (Daily Express)

Burnley and Leicester are eyeing unsettled £5m-rated Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle, 24. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool have agreed a £3m deal to sign 29-year-old Malaga goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. (Metro)

OTHER GOSSIP

West Brom's highly-rated 21-year-old striker Saido Berahino is said to be locked in a stand-off over a new contract at the Hawthorns, with Tottenham and Liverpool monitoring developments. (The Sun - subscription required)

West Ham are planning to sack manager Sam Allardyce despite him guiding the Hammers to fourth place in the Premier League. (Daily Star)

The Qatari government is lining up a £1bn takeover of Tottenham. (The Sun - subscription required)

Liverpool hope to persuade Raheem Sterling to sign a new contract as interest in the England international grows, with Bayern Munich now among those keen on recruiting the 20-year-old. (The Independent)

Wednesday's Sun back page

Rangers are set to offer former Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies the job of resurrecting their fortunes if they reach an agreement for manager Ally McCoist to leave Ibrox. (Daily Record)

Birmingham have offered 18-year-old homegrown striker Demarai Gray a two-year contract extension following his first-half hat-trick against Reading last weekend. (Birmingham Mail)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was named coach of the year at the Dutch Sports Gala, as striker Robin van Persie picked up an award for his stunning World Cup header for the Netherlands against Spain. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been criticised by former AC Milan team-mate Adel Taarabt. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says his cup record at the club is an "embarrassment" that needs changing. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United defender Phil Jones has defended his injury record, having made only his fifth club appearance of the season in Sunday's Premier League win over Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City will stage the first game at their new Academy stadium on Thursday, the FA Youth Cup tie against Oxford United. (Manchester Evening News)

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

"Watched every single Thierry Henry goal for Arsenal about 100 times and still get goosebumps," tweeted Southampton defender Jack Stephens after the Frenchman retired from football.

AND FINALLY...

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is planning to make his players walk over hot coals - literally. The Argentine used the tactic at Southampton and is considering it at White Hart Lane as Spurs seek their first trophy since 2008. "It's very good because we spend maybe four or five hours all together, as a team building activity," he says. (Daily Star)

Celtic have shown their thoughtful side ahead of Christmas by offering unemployed fans free tickets to watch the team take on Ross County. (Metro)