Gossip: Van Gaal, Pato, Bale, Matic, Ivanovic, Ronaldinho

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

Manchester United have put their major transfers on hold because of the increasing uncertainty over Louis van Gaal's future as manager. (Daily Mirror)

Alexandre Pato's agent has confirmed that four clubs - including Chelsea and Liverpool - have a chance of signing the 26-year-old Brazil striker, but insisted that no bids have yet been made. (UOL Esporte, in Portuguese)

The Mirror report that Manchester United have abandoned their transfer plans

Tottenham have the first option to re-sign Wales forward Gareth Bale, 26, should he be sold by Real Madrid - according to a leaked document. (Daily Mirror)

Meanwhile, Bale's representatives are outraged by the leak of financial details of his £85m transfer. (Daily Telegraph)

European football writer Andy Brassell says Shakhtar Donetsk value 26-year-old Brazilian forward Alex Teixeira at £39m - significantly more than the £24.5m Liverpool are willing to pay for him. (BBC Radio 5 live)

Zenit St Petersburg want Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini to take charge when Andre Villas-Boas leaves at the end of the season. (Daily Star)

Defender Branislav Ivanovic, 31, is set to sign a new one-year contract at Chelsea, in a deal which will match his current wage of £120,000 a week and has the option of a further year. (Daily Express)

But midfielder Nemanja Matic, 27, is debating his future at Stamford Bridge and may choose to leave the Blues after a recent dip in form. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United have taken 15-year-old Polish goalkeeper Bartosz Mrozek on trial. (Przeglad Sportowy, via Daily Express)

The Daily Telegraph leads on the leak of Gareth Bale's Real Madrid contract

Meanwhile, United are considering ending their interest in Lazio's Felipe Anderson as they are put off by the 22-year-old Brazil midfielder's price tag and recent form.(Bleacher Report)

Fernando Torres could soon be the highest-paid player in the world, with eight offers on the table according to his agent. The 31-year-old Spain striker is on loan at Atletico Madrid from AC Milan.(Sun)

Crystal Palace are considering offering a six-month contract to striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 31, who is a free agent after being released by Tottenham.(Guardian)

Former Brazil midfielder Ronaldinho, 35, says he has no plans to retire and will look for a new club after celebrating the Rio carnival in February. (Goal.com)

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has revealed he is looking for two outfield players and a goalkeeper, but refused to confirm whether he wants to sign Swansea striker Andre Ayew, 26. (Chronicle Live)

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren has made a £7m bid for Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis, 30. (Sun)

However, Newcastle look likely to end their interest in Andros Townsend after Tottenham refused to lower their £14m valuation of the 24-year-old England winger. (Guardian)

Former Nottingham Forest boss Stuart Pearce has not spoken to Bristol City about the Championship side's managerial vacancy, despite being heavily linked with the role. (Talksport)

Leeds United have submitted two written bids for January transfer targets, following the £3.7m sale of full-back Sam Byram, 22, to West Ham.(Yorkshire Evening Post)

Fulham midfielder Scott Parker, 35, is considering a move into coaching or management if he retires from playing at the end of the season. (Guardian)

Best of social media

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes is set to join Standard Liege on loan

Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 34, posted a message of thanks to his followers on Instagram, as he looks set to leave the club on loan.

United number one David de Gea, 25, tweeted a message of support to Valdes, saying : "We learn a lot from the best. Good luck my friend in this new stage."

And finally...

Wayne Rooney took charge of Manchester United's half-time team-talk in last weekend's game against Liverpool, in which he scored the late winner. Players in the home dressing room reportedly heard shouting across the corridor at Anfield. (Sun)

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has revealed that his father drives him every day from his Essex home to training at League One side Coventry City, a round trip of more than 200 miles. (Times - subscription required)

Defender Liam Ridgewell, 31, - currently on loan at Brighton - has been such a success in Major League Soccer with Portland Timbers that he has been immortalised in Lego. (Independent)