TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal have made a £20m offer for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27, which will spark a rival bid from Chelsea.
Belgium striker Christian Benteke scored 19 Premier League goals for Aston Villa last season
But new Manchester United manager David Moyes, who officially starts his job on Monday, has already had a secret meeting with Rooney and wants the England international to stay at Old Trafford.
Chelsea have made a £45m bid for Napoli forward Edinson Cavani, although the offer does not meet the 26-year-old’s £52m buy-out clause with the Serie A side.
Manchester City’s interest has switched from signing Uruguay international Cavani to bringing in 29-year-old Brazil attacker Fred, who plays for Fluminense, and Benfica forward Oscar Cardozo, 30.
New City boss Manuel Pellegrini will attempt to sign Sevilla’s 27-year-old striker Alvaro Negredo, who has an £18m buy-out clause in his contract with the Spanish club.
A new-look Arsenal frontline could feature 29-year-old Chelsea striker Fernando Torres partnering Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain, 25, if Gunners manager Arsene Wenger gets his way.
Aston Villa have placed a £25m price tag on 22-year-old Belgium striker Christian Benteke to put off interested clubs.
Villa have yet to receive a bid for out-of-favour forward Darren Bent, despite Newcastle, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Hull having been linked with the 29-year-old.
Newcastle have said it would take £25m for them to sell midfielder Yohan Cabaye, 27, as they seek to fend off interest in the France international from Arsenal, Manchester united, Monaco and Paris St-Germain.
Alan Pardew has been in charge of Newcastle since December 2010.
Liverpool are willing to sell Jonjo Shelvey, 21, with West Ham, Norwich and Swansea keen on signing the midfielder.
Yossi Benayoun’s agent says West Bromwich Albion are among several clubs interested in the 33-year-old midfielder, who is a free agent after being released by Chelsea.
The Baggies are also keen on recruiting Chelsea striker Demba Ba on a season-long loan.
Full story: Sunday Times (subscription required)
Wolves winger Bakary Sako, 25, wants the League One club to lower their asking price so he can move to Fulham, who are unwilling to pay £4m for the Frenchman.
OTHER GOSSIP
Wayne Rooney will seek assurances about his prospective role in the Manchester United team when he meets this week with manager David Moyes.
Newcastle United’s contingent of French players face being ordered to take intensive English lessons by manager Alan Pardew.
AND FINALLY
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he will quit football management within a decade – and then take part in the Dakar Rally.
Mexico striker Jesus Escoboza has shown he is a true predator in front of goal after running on and scoring against Mali at the Under-20 World Cup – despite losing his boot.
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