Gossip: Griezmann, Payet, Reus, Martial, Ivanovic, Grealish, Obertan

For the latest 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 or visit our Premier League tracker here.

Manchester United hope record signing Paul Pogba can use his friendship with France team-mate Antoine Griezmann to aid the club in their pursuit of the 25-year-old Atletico Madrid forward. (Daily Record)

West Ham's position over 29-year-old France midfielder Dimitri Payet is believed to be softening, and they might be prepared to accept an offer of about £30m from Marseille. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal will make a £51m move for Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus, 27, if Alexis Sanchez, 28, leaves at the end of the season. (WhoScored.com)

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho maintains a close relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, and could be a target for the Spanish club if they falter further after being knocked out of the Copa del Rey. (Don Balon via Daily Express)

United forward Anthony Martial is frustrated by his treatment under Mourinho, who criticised the 21-year-old France international for not taking his chances. (Times - subscription required)

Middlesbrough will explore the possibility of signing 21-year-old midfielder Jack Grealish from Aston Villa should forward Gaston Ramirez, 26, leave for Leicester, who have already had an offer of about £12m rejected. (Daily Mail)

Sunderland have approached Bordeaux about a loan deal for 26-year-old German left-back Diego Contento. (Sky Sports)

Manchester United's Italy full-back Matteo Darmian, 27, is searching for a new apartment in Milan as he eyes a move to Inter. (Sun)

BBC Radio 5 live pundit Ally McCoist says Hull City are in a terrible position after the loss of key players and claims the "spirit is being ripped" from the club.

Crystal Palace have been linked with former Manchester United and Newcastle winger Gabriel Obertan, 27. The Frenchman is available on a free transfer after being told he can leave Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. (France Football - in French)

Chelsea's Serbia defender Branislav Ivanovic, 32, is in talks over a move to Zenit St Petersburg. (Daily Mail)

Blues boss Antonio Conte's search for a goalkeeper could see him explore the possibility of signing Genoa's Mattia Perin, 24. (Calcio Mercato via Daily Star)

West Ham and Celtic are vying to sign Fenerbahce's Turkey full-back Hasan Ali Kaldirim, 27. (Yahoo Sport)

Friday's Sun leads on Manchester United booking their place in the EFL Cup final - and can't resist a reference to Jose Mourinho's close-cropped haircut

Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes, 25, says he has "never thought about other clubs" amid reported interest from Liverpool. (Sport Express, via Goal)

Everton have offered their former midfielder Jose Baxter a 12-month contract, which would start when the 24-year-old's one-year drugs ban ends in June. (Times - subscription required)

Brentford boss Dean Smith accepts 24-year-old striker Scott Hogan, the subject of several failed approaches by West Ham, will leave if the club's £15m valuation is met before Tuesday's transfer deadline. (Talksport)

Rangers say they do not want to sell Josh Windass amid reports of an approach by Hull City. The 23-year-old midfielder is the son of Tigers legend Dean Windass. (Daily Express)

Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy, 31, is trying to set up a transfer back home to France after being told he can leave the Gunners. (Daily Mirror)

The Football Association of Norway is preparing an official approach for Fleetwood manager Uwe Rosler. (Dagbladet, via Daily Mail)

Derby midfielder Will Hughes, 21, says he has "been linked with every team under the sun since I was 16" but "couldn't think of anything worse" than being happy with a place on the bench like some players at Premier League clubs. (Daily Telegraph)

Friday's Guardian also leads on Manchester United reaching the EFL Cup final despite a second-leg defeat at Hull City

Best of social media

When Jimmy met Joey...

Burnley midfielder Joey Barton posted a photo of himself with snooker player Jimmy White on Instagram, saying he had "met a legend"

Spot Boro's new signing...

Can you tell which budding footballer grew up to be recent Middlesbrough signing Patrick Bamford?

And finally

Former Fulham and Norway defender Brede Hangeland has revealed his 11 laziest Premier League players - including one who "would sit in the gym with a cup of coffee and a muffin" while being paid by three clubs. (Reddit, via Sun)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has advised defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka not to tackle after the 24-year-old Switzerland international's second dismissal of the season. (Guardian)

Premier League transfer tracker

Keep up to date with all the Premier League transfers in January as we track and profile all the players leaving or joining a club this month.