Gossip column: Gerrard, Pogba, Sanogo, Falcao & Drogba

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STEVEN GERRARD GOSSIP

Image source, Daily Express
Image caption,

Friday's Daily Express back page

Steven Gerrard, who is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, is wanted by LA Galaxy and two other MLS teams. (Daily Mirror), external

Gerrard's exact destination has yet to be confirmed, but the 34-year-old midfielder is likely to head to the US. (Liverpool Echo), external

The prospect of being a substitute for much of next season has persuaded Gerrard to leave Liverpool at the end of the season and move abroad to a new club. (Daily Express), external

The situation over Gerrard's future has become awkward and Liverpool hope that by announcing his departure it will enable the club to focus on the rest of the season without it hanging over them. (Independent), external

Former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch, 33, says Gerrard is "easily the best player I have played with". (Liverpool Echo), external

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have earmarked Juventus' former United midfielder Paul Pogba, 21, as their main transfer target after being snubbed by Real Madrid's forward pair Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, and Gareth Bale, 25. (Daily Star), external

Image source, Daily Mirror
Image caption,

Friday's Daily Mirror back page

Liverpool are leading the chase to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, 23, after making a permanent offer, while their rivals for the Switzerland star's signature, Inter Milan and Juventus, have only offered loan deals. (Metro), external

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits that he wants Yaya Sanogo, 21, to join a Premier League club on loan, with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace or Sunderland the most likely destination. (Daily Star), external

Spanish champions Atletico Madrid claim they have turned down an offer from Manchester City for 19-year-old defender Jose Gimenez. (Daily Mirror), external

Manchester United are set to make striker Radamel Falcao's loan deal from Monaco permanent within the coming days after becoming satisfied that the 28-year-old Colombia star is "fully up to scratch physically". (Metro), external

Tottenham are interested in signing Everton midfielder James McCarthy. The 24-year-old cost the Toffees £13m when he joined them in September 2013. (Daily Mail), external

Midfielder Frank Lampard, 36, could stay at Manchester City beyond the end of this season, says the club's manager Manuel Pellegrini. (Guardian), external

Birmingham City aim to keep hold of 18-year-old winger Demarai Gray after rejecting a £1.5m bid from Championship leaders Bournemouth. (Birmingham Mail), external

Central defender Martin Demichelis, 34, will be offered a new one-year deal with Manchester City to keep him at the club until the summer of 2016.(Manchester Evening News), external

OTHER GOSSIP

Didier Drogba is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season as Chelsea close in on the signing of Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric, with the 36-year-old striker set to take up a coaching role under Jose Mourinho instead. (Daily Express), external

Ryan Bertrand, 25, is ready to sign a permanent deal at Southampton when his season-long loan from Chelsea comes to an end. (Setanta.com), external

Image source, Buddy on Twitter

West Brom have tempted former Stoke and Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis back into management with a massive salary and transfer budget.(Sun, subscription required), external

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho may face a ban from the Football Association after he criticised the fitness of referee Phil Dowd following the Blues' 5-3 defeat by Tottenham on Thursday. (Times, subscription required), external

Mourinho also says that attacking midfielder Eden Hazard, 23, needs to be protected by referees or the Belgium international will leave the Premier League.(Daily Telegraph), external

Manchester United's Ashley Young, 29, who can play in midfield or as a wing-back, will be out for at least a month because of a hamstring injury. (Sun, subscription required), external

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson has called for a greater use of television technology to decide controversial moments. It comes after the Foxes conceded a dubious penalty in their 2-2 draw at Liverpool. (Times, subscription required), external

Derby boss Steve McClaren has dismissed speculation linking him with the vacant Newcastle United manager's job. (Newcastle Chronicle), external

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

A New York City fan posted a 'missing poster' of Frank Lampard on Twitter, external after the 36-year-old midfielder extended his loan deal at Manchester City.

Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, 23, paid tribute on Twitter, external to team-mate Harry Kane after his two-goal heroics helped the North London club beat Chelsea 5-3 on Thursday. He wrote: "He's one of our own, he's one of our oooown @hkane28 he's one of our own!! What a win! Great start to 2015!"

AND FINALLY...

It was not just Townsend who was impressed with Kane as the 21-year-old striker was bombarded with marriage proposals following the victory over Chelsea.(Daily Star), external