Football gossip column: Bale, Rooney, Ronaldo, Aguero, Ibrahimovic, Guardiola

For the latest rumours, gossip and debate check out our Sportsday rolling news service every weekday, and for a list of all the completed deals, see our transfers page

Gareth Southgate is the Football Association's favoured candidate to be the next full-time England manager and he could seal the position with a win against Scotland next month. (Daily Mail)

Despite England having performed disappointingly in the first two of Southgate's four matches as interim boss, the FA have been impressed by his approach to the job. (Guardian)

Wales forward Gareth Bale is about to sign a new contract at Real Madrid, keeping him at the Bernabeu until 2022. (Cadena Ser, in Spanish)

Cristiano Ronaldo is also set to sign a new deal at Real. The 31-year-old Portugal forward will sign a five-year deal worth £20.8m a year. (Sport)

Manchester United could look to offload captain Wayne Rooney, 30, in the summer, but may have to pay off the remaining 20 months of his £300,000-a-week contract. (Mirror)

However, former United skipper Bryan Robson believes that the Old Trafford fans will get behind Rooney and "show him the love and respect he deserves". (Sun)

Former Italy defender Gianluca Zambrotta, now the manager of Delhi Dynamos, has said he would love to take Manchester United's ex-Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, to India. (Indian Express)

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, 28, says that manager Pep Guardiola has told him he would "love" to lead the striker's national team Argentina. (TyC Sports, in Spanish)

Aguero also revealed that Guardiola has shut down the wi-fi at City's training ground in a bid to encourage team bonding. (Guardian)

Italy striker Simone Zaza, 25, could be set to exit West Ham just two months after joining from Juventus on loan, as the London club will have to pay £10m for him if he plays a certain number of games. (Mirror)

AC Milan manager Vincenzo Montella has dismissed rumours linking Chelsea and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 29, with a move to the Serie A club. (Corriere della Sera - in Italian)

Gordon Strachan, 59, may step down from his position as Scotland manager before next month's visit to Wembley. (Mirror)

Daily Mirror back page

Inter Milan could make a move for Manchester City's Argentina right-back Pablo Zabaleta, 31. (Calciomercato, in Italian)

Arsenal and Germany defender Per Mertesacker, 32, has discussed the possibility of rejoining Werder Bremen, according to the German club's captain Clemens Fritz. (Bild, via Sky Sports)

Bournemouth could send 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Cook on loan to Leeds United in the New Year - six months after they paid £7m to sign him from the Elland Road club. (Bournemouth Echo)

West Ham's co-chairman David Sullivan has asked fans to give former centre-back James Tomkins, 27, a "great reception" when he returns with Crystal Palace for the first time since his £10m summer transfer. (West Ham United club website)

Goalkeeper Lee Grant, 33, is hopeful of extending his loan spell at Stoke City from Derby County beyond January. (Stoke Sentinel)

Manchester United have made contact with Valencia as they attempt to sign the La Liga side's Spanish 18-year-old midfielder Fran Villalba, according to the player's agent. (Sports Witness)

United have employed 50 extra scouts this year in a bid to improve player recruitment. (Mail)

Bristol City and England Under-21 striker Tammy Abraham, 19, will not be able to return to his parent club Chelsea before the end of the season, as there is no release clause in his contract. (Evening Standard)

Liverpool have decided to impose a limit on how much they pay their academy players, imposing a maximum of £40,000 a year to their 17-year-old first season professionals. (Telegraph)

Best of social media

Former England captain Alan Shearer was left confused by Derby County's re-appointment of Steve McLaren. (Twitter)

Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has shown off his unusual collection of toys in his 'personal museum'. (Instagram)

Jesse Lingard has said he has always got Marcus Rashford's back after he stuck up for his Manchester United team-mate during an altercation with Slovenian players in England's goalless draw. (Instagram)

The Premier League's Brazilian contingent have arrived back from international duty...

Left to right: Oscar, Philippe Coutinho, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Fernandinho, Willian and Roberto Firmino

And finally...

Bastian Schweinsteiger enjoyed a meal in the south Manchester suburb of Hale with wife Ana Ivanovic and Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov. But the exiled Manchester United midfielder returned to his car to find a £60 parking fine. (Manchester Evening News)

British viewers will not be able to watch the first El Clasico of the 2016-17 season as the game between Barcelona and Real Madrid in December is being played at 15:15 GMT on a Saturday and because of a British television football embargo it cannot be shown on UK television. (BBC Sportsday)

Everton midfielder Gareth Barry, Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo are among the sports stars who have been entered into the Guinness World Records 2017 book. (Guinness World Records)

A football club in Argentina has been ordered to fix the crooked field they have been playing on for nearly 30 years. (Guardian)