Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Winger Franck Ribery, a target for both Real Madrid and Manchester United, seems to have signalled the end of his time at Bayern Munich by criticising manager Luis van Gaal. (The Sun) 
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy vetoed manager Harry Redknapp's late loan swap attempt on transfer deadline day, which involved winger David Bentley and Manchester City's Martin Petrov. Another loan swap involving Tottenham's Alan Hutton and Sunderland's Anton Ferdinand also fell through. (The Independent) 
Redknapp was also interested in West Ham defender Matthew Upson but was put off by the £15m valuation. (Daily Mail)
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce had a disappointing transfer deadline day as offers for Wigan's Maynor Figueroa, ENPPI wing-back Ahmed Al Muhammadi and free agent defender Lucas Neill all failed. (The Sun) 
Stoke ran out of time in their attempt to sign Bayern Munich right back Christian Lell after the player could not be located by the German club. (Daily Mail) 
New Rangers signing Jerome Rothen has revealed that he turned down Blackburn before deciding to move to Scotland. (Daily Record) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Nicolas Anelka's future at Chelsea is under scrutiny as the striker, whose contract runs out in the summer of 2011, is angry that he will not be offered a new deal this season. (Daily Star) 
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James fears for his England World Cup place after failing to secure a dream move to Tottenham on transfer deadline day. (Daily Mirror) 
The Football Association has been hit by the news that FA Cup sponsors E.On will not be renewing their contract when it expires next May. (Daily Mail) 
Former Manchester United assistant Brian Kidd has been offered the vacant manager's job at Barnsley. (Daily Express) 
However, Rotherham's Mark Robins is also in the frame to replace Simon Davey. (Daily Mirror) 
Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper has told owner Mike Ashley that he needs to start spending money on players if the club are to return to the Premier League next season. (Daily Star) 
England duo Gareth Barry and Wes Brown should be fit for Saturday's friendly against Slovenia despite picking up knocks in training. (The Independent) 

AND FINALLY

Aston Villa winger James Milner, who is aiming for a place in England's World Cup squad next year, is hoping for a more stable season on the domestic front. The 23-year-old has had 13 managers at four different clubs and has never started and finished a campaign under the same boss. (Various) 
Hull striker Daniel Cousin picked the wrong moment to have a pop at manager Phil Brown. The Gabon international, who thought he was off on loan to Burnley, called Brown's tactics "bizarre and illogical" before the proposed switch fell through. (The Sun)
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