Gossip column: De Bruyne, Stones, Rondon, Borini

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Manchester City will have to pay Wolfsburg's asking price of £45m if they are to sign 24-year-old attacking midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, according to the Belgium international's agent. (Guardian), external

Image source, Independent

However, Wolfsburg managing director Klaus Allofs says that former Chelsea player De Bruyne has not asked for a transfer. (Daily Express), external

Former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher believes Everton defender and Chelsea target John Stones, 21, should stay at Goodison Park and develop under manager Roberto Martinez. (Daily Mail), external

West Brom are set to break their transfer record by signing Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon, 25, from Zenit St Petersburg for about £15m. (Birmingham Mail), external

The agent of Bayern Munich midfielder Mario Gotze has hinted the 23-year-old could move to the Premier League during the transfer window, with Arsenal and Manchester United showing interest.(Tuttosport, in Italian), external

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho does not believe it is possible to sign elite players from Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid unless the club want to sell them or the players are frustrated. (Daily Telegraph), external

Everton are preparing a loan move for 23-year-old Inter Milan midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, who was close to a £12m switch to Stoke City before the move fell through. (Daily Star), external

England international winger Aaron Lennon, 28, appears to have no future at Tottenham after not being given a squad number. (Sun - subscription required), external

West Ham, who could miss out on Atletico Madrid's 24-year-old striker Raul Jimenez to Benfica, will make a late move for 24-year-old Liverpool striker Fabio Borini. (Daily Mirror), external

Image source, Daily Star

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew says the club have received no bids for 26-year-old winger Yannick Bolasie, who will cost at least £25m. (Evening Standard), external

Bournemouth are expected to make an improved bid for Glenn Murray, 31, after their £3m offer was rejected by Palace. (Guardian), external

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has set his defence a target of conceding no more than 31 goals if they are to challenge for the Premier League title. (Manchester Evening News) , external

Pellegrini, who signed a new contract on Friday, says he is confident the club's directors will tell him if they want to replace him with Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola. (Daily Mail), external

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke will aim to prove his former manager Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa wrong by showing he does not need crosses to score. (Daily Telegraph), external

Meanwhile, Sherwood has called Benteke "a dreamer" in response to claims he was critical of the Belgium forward's move to Anfield. (Daily Mirror), external

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says bringing through successful young players is the club's "dream". (Times - subscription required), external

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren believes the pressure of his spell as manager of England has made him stronger. (Daily Star) , external

Elsewhere in football

Best of social media

Steven Gerrard may be at LA Galaxy now but Liverpool are still firmly in his thoughts. He posted a picture on Instagram, external of Liverpool players celebrating along with the message: "I just wanted to wish the Reds the very best of luck for the season ahead, all my ex-team-mates and to the new boys that have signed. I'm sure it's going to be an exciting one. I will be watching every match over here that I can."

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale tweeted a picture of his dinner with #carbloading #preseason hashtags as he continues his preparations for the new season.

Image source, Gareth Bale on Twitter

And finally...

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri says he was the original Tinkerman and that even Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola copied him. (Daily Mirror), external