Gossip column: Schweinsteiger, Sterling, Wilshere, Balotelli

  • Published
Gossip logo

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

Manchester City will make a third bid for Liverpool's 20-year-old England forward Raheem Sterling. Their last offer of £40m was rejected but the Premier League runners-up look like returning with a bid close to the Anfield club's £50m asking price. (Sunday Express), external

Arsenal will fend off interest from Manchester City in Jack Wilshere by offering the England midfielder, 23, a new five-year, £100,000-a-week contract. (Sunday Mirror), external

Image caption,

The Sunday Express leads with the story that Manchester City will make a third bid for Liverpool's Raheem Sterling

Wilshere is said to be undecided over his future and concerned about how many matches he will play for the Gunners next season. (Star on Sunday), external

The agent of Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has denied the Bosnia striker has contacted Chelsea about a move to Stamford Bridge and says the 29-year-old will most likely stay at the Etihad. (ESPN), external

Liverpool want to sign Juventus' Spain striker Fernando Llorente, 30, or Sevilla's Colombia forward Carlos Bacca, 28, after refusing to meet Aston Villa's £32.5m asking price for Belgium frontman Christian Benteke. (Sunday Telegraph), external

Meanwhile, Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto, 22, is to return to Anfield early after his two-year loan spell was cut short by La Liga side Malaga. (Liverpool Echo), external

Turkish side Besiktas want Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli. The 24-year-old Italy international scored just one league goal for the Reds last season. (Eurosport - in Turkish), external

Manchester United are closing in on a £7.5m deal for Bayern Munich's Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, 31. (Sunday Mirror), external

However, United are less likely to also sign Bayern's £20m-rated defender Jerome Boateng, 26, because the Germany international's girlfriend is reluctant to move to Manchester. (Star on Sunday), external

Red Devils target Mario Mandzukic, 29, has agreed a deal with Serie A champions Juventus. It means the Croatia striker will have signed for beaten Champions League finalists for a third time after joining Bayern Munich in 2012 and Atletico Madrid in 2014. (Sun on Sunday - subscription required), external

United goalkeeper David De Gea, 24, has told his team-mates he wants to leave the club and join La Liga runners-up Real Madrid. The Spain international is yet to agree an extension to his current deal, which has one year left. (Mail on Sunday), external

Image source, Sunday star
Image caption,

The Star on Sunday leads with Jack Wilshere potentially leaving Arsenal for Manchester City

Premier League champions Chelsea are in talks to sign Cameroon midfielder Alex Song, 27, who was on loan at West Ham last season. Barcelona value the former Arsenal man at £5m. (Sunday Telegraph), external

Manchester City are also interested in signing Song, who has two years left on his contract with the Spanish champions. (Sky Sports), external

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is considering a bid for Everton's 21-year-old England defender John Stones. (Sunday Express), external

Tottenham's Belgium midfielder Mousa Demeble, 27, is also on Mourinho's list of summer transfer targets. (Sun on Sunday - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Spurs are favourites to sign Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid ahead of Southampton, where the 26-year-old spent last season on loan. (Sunday Times - subscription required), external

Everton are interested in Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, 29, with the future of their current number one - 36-year-old USA international Tim Howard - in doubt. (Independent), external

Swansea have had an £11m bid for striker Troy Deeney, 26, rejected by newly promoted Premier League side Watford. (Sunday Mirror), external

Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone, 28, will reject a move to Premier League side Aston Villa to stay with the Championship club. (Star on Sunday), external

Paris-St Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, 22, wants to leave the French champions and will "run through the exit" if Spanish giants Real Madrid or Barcelona come in for him. (Marca), external

Newcastle United will delay a £15m move for QPR striker Charlie Austin, 25, while they try to find out if the player wants to stay in London. (Mail on Sunday, external

West Ham United have made a £14m bid for Marseille's 28-year-old France winger Dimitri Payet. (Sunday Telegraph), external

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier claims 23-year-old Portugal right-back Cedric Soares' arrival at St Mary's does not mean England international Nathaniel Clyne, 24, will leave. (Talksport), external

Best of social media

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler apparently attempted a cheeky move to Real Madrid before a charity match between the two sides - but was given an even cheekier response by the Spanish club's new manager Rafael Benitez. (Mirror), external

Image source, Twitter

Former Brazil forward Ronaldinho has announced his departure from Mexican side Queretaro. "I want to thank the entire Mexican nation for every day that I lived with us, so special," he said on Twitter., external

Image source, Twitter

Former Arsenal full-back Lauren appears to have confirmed the Gunners' signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 33. The Cameroonian said on Twitter:, external "All the best to Cech. Long time without stability in that position and another great Gooner move to get the Premier League."

And finally

Manchester United are using garlic to ward off worms that are infesting their Old Trafford pitch. (Sunday Mirror), external