Gossip: Southgate, Costa, Draxler, Courtois, Gerrard, Koscielny

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Gareth Southgate has been offered the England manager's job on a permanent basis, with an announcement set to be made before next week's Football Association board meeting. (Telegraph)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could move for long-term target Julian Draxler after speculation the 23-year-old Germany midfielder will leave Wolfsburg in the near future. (Sun)

Chelsea striker Diego Costa, 28, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 24, are set to sign new contracts with the club. (Telegraph)

Manchester United target Andrea Belotti is set to sign a new contract at Torino that includes an £80m buyout clause. The 22-year-old Italy striker scored 10 goals in the first 11 games this season. (Daily Mirror)

Former England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, 36, will not be joining Melbourne Victory. (Talksport)

The back page of Thursday's Sun

Arsenal's France defender Laurent Koscielny, 31, says he will end his career playing for either the Gunners or his former club Lorient. (Sky Sports)

Leicester City players are set to get a bonus of about £100,000 each for winning their Champions League group. (Daily Mail)

Former Aston Villa and England defender Joleon Lescott, 34, is set to have his AEK Athens contract ended - less than three months after signing it. (Daily Record)

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, says Benfica's Sweden defender Victor Lindelof, 22, is good enough to play for the Old Trafford club. (Manchester Evening News)

United boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out a move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, claiming the 29-year-old Argentina international should finish his playing career at the Nou Camp. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham Hotspur will consider stopping playing matches at Wembley Stadium should they drop into the Europa League after elimination from the Champions League at the group stage, with players eager to return to White Hart Lane. (Daily Mail)

The Times' back page on Thursday

Chelsea's 20-year-old Denmark defender Andreas Christensen, who is on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, has ruled out returning to Stamford Bridge this season. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa are preparing an offer for Ludogorets' 25-year-old Brazilian winger Jonathan Cafu. (Sportal, via Birmingham Mail)

Manchester United attempted to sign 31-year-old Arsenal and France defender Mathieu Debuchy in the summer. (L'Equipe, via Daily Star)

Everton are likely to sign a bumper new shirt sponsorship deal when the club's current agreement with Thai beer brand Chang expires this summer. (Liverpool Echo)

Tottenham are the only club to express concern to the Football Association about Chelsea coach Steve Holland becoming a permanent member of Gareth Southgate's back‑room England staff. (Evening Standard)

Best of social media

Manchester United's players were all smiles in training on Wednesday

It was a good night for David Silva and Manchester City as they progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League

Defender Per Mertesacker was staying positive despite a frustrating draw with PSG damaging Arsenal's chances of topping their Champions League group

And finally...

Sunderland may be struggling near the bottom of the Premier League - but they come out on top of the 'Christmas Jumper Rankings'. (Mirror)