Wednesday's gossip: Mourinho, Pochettino, Rabiot, Morata, Isco

Mourinho and Man Utd

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to be considered as a replacement for the sacked Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, even though the Old Trafford club would have to pay Spurs £34m in compensation. (Times - subscription required)

Pochettino does not have a release clause in the new five-year contract he signed in May, meaning United might have to pay as much as £40m for the Argentine. (Mail)

United have also targeted Paul Mitchell - who worked with Pochettino at Southampton and Spurs before going to RB Leipzig - to become director of football in their new management structure. (Star)

If the move for Pochettino fails, United will go for Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone. (Times - subscription required)

France midfielder Paul Pogba will be fined by Manchester United after a post - which was construed by many as welcoming Mourinho's dismissal - appeared on his social media accounts shortly after the news broke. (Mail)

Real Madrid head coach Santiago Solari says he is not concerned by speculation linking Mourinho with his job. (Sky Sports)

Mourinho's 895-day stay at The Lowry hotel in Salford cost £537,000. (Guardian)

As many as 90% of Manchester United players were against Mourinho - and even those who liked him felt it was time for change. (Independent)

Sir Alex Ferguson's long-time assistant Mike Phelan will return to Old Trafford alongside caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. (Telegraph)

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will be a leading contender to take over at Tottenham if Mauricio Pochettino leaves for Manchester United. (Mail)

Other gossip

Chelsea will attempt to beat Arsenal and Manchester City to the signing of Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco by making a £70m bid for the Spain international, 26, on Wednesday. (Sun)

The Blues are also targeting Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, but will have to pay up to £35m for the 26-year-old England international. (Mirror)

Chelsea's Spain striker Alvaro Morato, 26, would "return to Italy in a heartbeat", with a move to AC Milan reportedly on the cards. (Sun)

Paris St-Germain will not let Liverpool target Adrien Rabiot leave on a free transfer at the end of the season after he refused to extend his deal - so will look to sell the 23-year-old France midfielder in January. (L'Equipe - in French)

Crystal Palace are keen to sign Liverpool and England striker Dominic Solanke, 21, on loan in January. (Evening Standard)

Atletico Madrid are unlikely to renew the contract of Filipe Luis, 33, the Brazil and former Chelsea left-back. (Marca)

Brazil defender Rafinha, 25, could head for China when his contract at Barcelona expires in the summer. (Kicker)

Everton are looking to sell striker Oumar Niasse, 28, in the January transfer window, with Cardiff City interested in the Senegal forward. (Liverpool Echo)

Fulham and England Under-21 goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, 26, is being tracked by fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton. (Mail)

Championship leaders Leeds United could move for Newcastle United's 28-year-old English goalkeeper Karl Darlow in January. (Yorkshire Evening Post)