TRANSFER GOSSIP
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed his interest in Leandro Damiao. The 23-year-old Brazil striker has also been linked with Tottenham.
Turkish side Besiktas say they are hopeful of signing Emmanuel Adebayor, 29, after lodging an official bid for the Spurs striker.
Leandro Damiao is valued around £18m by his current club Internacional.
Manchester City are ready to listen to offers for Brazilian right-back Maicon. The 31-year-old is behind Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards in the Etihad pecking order.
Real Madrid central defender Pepe, 30, is understood to be top of new Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini’s list of transfer targets.
Newcastle United look set to pull out of the race to sign Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone, 29, because he does not fit into the Magpies’ “blueprint”.
Full story: Newcastle Chronicle
Chelsea and and Tottenham are continuing to monitor Brazil international Hulk, 29, after the Zenit St Petersburg forward confirmed he is aware of the interest from both clubs.
Former England striker Carlton Cole, 29, who has been released by West Ham, is understood to have held talks with newly promoted Premier League side Crystal Palace.
Full story: Croydon Advertiser
Meanwhile, the Eagles are in talks to sign defender Umaru Bangura, 25, from Norwegian club FK Haugesund.
Full story: London Evening Standard
Hull City have made a final “take it or leave it” £4m offer to Burnley for their 24-year-old striker Charlie Austin.
GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)
Fiorentina have signed veteran Italian midfielder Massimo Ambrosini, 36, whose contract with AC Milan has just ended after 18 years with the club.
Ambrosini made 344 appearances for AC Milan in 18 years at the San Siro
Malaga have announced the signing of Ivorian Bobley Anderson, 21, from Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca on a five-year deal.
Full story: Malaga-based newspaper Malaga Hoy
Slovenian international Bojan Jokic, 27, has signed with Villarreal, leaving AC Chievo Verona.
Spartak Moscow’s Argentine defender Nicolas Pareja, 29, is to go on loan to Sevilla for one year.
Roma have agreed to extend the loan of Jose Angel, 23, to Real Sociedad by one year.
Full story: La Gazzetta dello Sport
OTHER GOSSIP
Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, 48, says he is still baffled by his sacking but hinted his relationship with chief executive Ferran Soriano played a part in his exit.
Full story: Manchester Evening News
Chelsea believe new Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel can become Frank Lampard’s eventual successor in the Blues midfield.
AND FINALLY
Recently retired ex-England captain David Beckham has many career highlights to look back on – and now he will not forget any of them after they were immortalised in Lego.
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