Gossip column: Mourinho, Isco, Verratti, De Gea, Sturridge

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Jose Mourinho to be sacked?

Mourinho's representatives are finding out about the Portuguese moving to Paris St-Germain or back to Inter Milan if the 52-year-old is sacked by Chelsea. (Independent) , external

Image source, Daily Mirror
Image caption,

The Daily Mirror back page

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola's contract does not expire until next summer and Carlo Ancelotti is expected to reject a return to Stamford Bridge on a temporary basis. However, another ex-Blues boss in Guus Hiddink may be a possibility. (Daily Telegraph), external

But Ancelotti, 56, would consider the Chelsea job if he was offered it on a permanent basis. (Daily Mirror), external

Former Barcelona coach Guardiola, 44, says he is "not going to answer questions" about his future anymore. (Daily Express), external

Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Ramires, 28, insists there is "no mutiny against Mourinho" from the Stamford Bridge club's squad. (Independent, via ESPN Brazil) , external

Other gossip

Isco has told Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez he wants to leave the club and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the 23-year-old Spain midfielder. (Daily Star), external

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says his transfer targets are keen to move to Old Trafford but that they are being stopped by their clubs. (Daily Express), external

The agent of Paris St-Germain and Italy midfielder Marco Verratti has told Europe's top clubs they can sign the 22-year-old if they pay £72m. (Daily Star), external

Liverpool's 26-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge, who is out injured and yet to play for new manager Jurgen Klopp, has had his "attitude and desire" questioned by ex-Reds striker David Fairclough. (Talksport), external

Brazil forward Alexandre Pato, 26, could sign for West Ham with Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade understood to be looking to offload the forward.(Daily Mail), external

Barcelona are planning to give Argentina forward Lionel Messi, 28, a new contract, which will see him finish his career at the Nou Camp.(Daily Mail via Sport), external

Image source, Daily Star
Image caption,

The Daily Star back page

Former Juventus and New York City midfielder Andrea Pirlo, 36, has ruled out a loan move to Manchester City during the MLS off-season. (Gazzetta dello Sport via Talksport), external

Aston Villa have lined up St Etienne coach Christophe Galtier, 49, should current favourite, former Lyon manager Remi Garde, stall over his chance to take over at the club. (The Sun - subscription required), external

French prime minister Manuel Valls says Barcelona could play in his country's top division if Catalonia votes for independence and the Nou Camp club are kicked out of La Liga. (Daily Telegraph), external

Real Madrid are set to offer Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 28, an improved contract but that does not mean they have ended their interest in 24-year-old Manchester United stopper David De Gea. (Marca), external

Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has Queens Park Rangers' striker Charlie Austin on his 'radar' - but the 26-year-old is not targeting a move in the January transfer window.(Newcastle Chronicle), external

Former Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert believes part of the reason his ex-club may want Frenchman Remi Garde as their new manager is to get the best out of the French players at the West Midlands outfit.(Daily Mirror), external

Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has ruled himself out of the running for the Aston Villa job but believes the club should give a lower-division manager the job. (Talksport), external

Barcelona and Brazil forward Neymar, 23, is looking for a new club in order to fulfil his aspirations of winning the Ballon d'Or. (Metro, external via Don Balon), external

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 30, has agreed to play in Wayne Rooney's testimonial at Old Trafford in August.(Daily Star), external

Former Sunderland and Brighton boss Gus Poyet, 47, is set to become the new manager of Greek side AEK Athens.(The Sun - subscription required) , external

Best of social media

Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, external has been back in his native Belgium as he tweeted a picture with the message: "Had a lovely two days in Antwerp. Always nice to see family and friends again. Now back to London."

Image source, Alderweireld on Twitter

Sheffield Wednesday knocked Arsenal out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday and Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham,, external who spent spells on loan with the Owls, tweeted his congratulations to the Hillsborough club.

Image source, .

And finally

Venezuelan footballer Cesar Martinez celebrated a goal by making the ball levitate with the help of his team-mates.(Metro), external