Friday's gossip column: Ronaldo, Bale, Neymar, Stones, Swansea

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

Manchester United are lining up separate bids for Real Madrid forwards Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo - as well as Barcelona striker Neymar. (The Times - subscription required)

The Star leads with news of a move for Everton's John Stones by Manchester United

United will also make John Stones the most expensive defender in the world, with the Old Trafford club happy to spend £50m on the 21 year old. (Daily Star)

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney could be on his way out though - with Chinese side Shanghai SPG ready to give the England captain £25m a year over three years. Rooney would be reunited in China with former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. (Daily Mail)

Real Madrid are keen to take Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho back to the Bernabeu next summer. Mourinho, 52, left Madrid in 2013 after three years but president Florentino Perez remains a fan. (The Sun)

Chelsea and Spain forward Diego Costa, 27, has hinted about a return to Atletico Madrid, where he played from 2010 to 2014. (Daily Express)

Arsenal will counter their latest raft of midfield injuries by bidding for Southampton's Victor Wanyama, 24, in January. (Mirror)

The Times suggests that Manchester United are chasing Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale - and Barcelona forward Neymar

The Gunners could also sign Dynamo Moscow striker Aleksandr Kokorin, 24, for £4.3m in January. (Izvestia - via Metro)

Former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, 34, could make his return to the Premier League with struggling Aston Villa. (Daily Mail)

West Brom manager Tony Pulis phoned former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher last week and urged him to follow fellow pundit Gary Neville into management. (BBC Radio 5 live)

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini says he "trusts" the philosophy of manager Louis van Gaal and believes that goals will come for him and the team. (NBC Sports)

Sunderland could allow reserve goalkeeper Vito Mannone to move back to Italy next month, with Verona keen to sign him. The Black Cats will recall Jordan Pickford, 21, from his loan spell with Preston North End if Mannone does move on. (Newcastle Chronicle)

Championship side Charlton insist that 18-year-old forward Ademola Lookman will stay at the Valley - despite being linked to Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea. (News Shopper)

Who will replace Monk at Swansea?

Will Ryan Giggs be the next Swansea manager? The Sun back page thinks so

Swansea have put Manchester United assistant Ryan Giggs on their shortlist to replace Garry Monk as manager. (Independent)

Another Premier League legend - former Arsenal forward Dennis Bergkamp - is also among the favourites at the Liberty Stadium. (London Evening Standard)

Alternatively, former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, 48, and his ex-Chelsea team-mate Roberto di Matteo, 45, are both in the running at Swansea.(Guardian)

Graham Potter, a 40-year-old Englishman who currently manages Ostersunds in Sweden's top flight, is also being considered by the Welsh club. (Daily Mail)

Best of social media

League Two side AFC Wimbledon were excited after they were granted permission to build a new stadium near to their old Plough Lane home.(AFC Wimbledon)

Erik Lamela was overjoyed after scoring his first hat-trick for Tottenham in their Europa League game against Monaco on Thursday. He wrote on Twitter: "We finished first in the group, a special night for my hat-trick and team play! Come on you Spurs."

Spanish third division team Cultural Leonesa have revealed a new James Bond-style tuxedo kit which they will wear for the first time this weekend.(Twitter)

And finally

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling may earn a reported £180,000 a week but he has been driving a £12,000 Smart car to training this week. (The Sun)

Arsenal goalkeeper and keen drummer Petr Cech believes sessions on the video game Rock Band with former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini have improved his reactions and made him a better goalkeeper. (London Evening Standard)

Manchester United's players have cancelled their own Christmas party following their Champions League exit on Tuesday, as they did not want to be seen out partying during a difficult time for the club. (Daily Mail)