Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has urged Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti to sign French midfielder Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan in January.(The Sun) 
Another Inter player in demand is midfielder Sulley Muntari, who is being tracked by Tottenham.(The Sun) 
Former Liverpool winger Bolo Zenden is keen to join Sunderland and will train with Steve Bruce's side in a bid to win a deal.(Daily Mirror) 
European champions Barcelona are believed to be weighing up a January move for Arsenal full-back Emmanuel Eboue.(The Sun) 
Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul is wanted by Italian side Juventus, who are preparing a £3m bid.(Daily Star) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster and manager Sir Alex Ferguson were involved in a dressing-room bust-up after the draw with Sunderland, after the Scot pointed the finger at the England man for his part in Kenwyne Jones's goal for the Black Cats.(Daily Star) 
Portsmouth manager Paul Hart is facing the axe, as new owner Ali Al Faraj is keen on installing a bigger name in charge at Fratton Park.(Daily Mirror)
In addition, new Pompey owner Al Faraj has promised a spending spree in the January window to save the club from relegation.(Daily Mirror) 
Mike Ashley's long running quest to sell Newcastle United has taken a new twist after City sources confirmed that a new South African bidder had emerged.(Daily Mirror) 
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been left stunned by quotes attributed to Reds' co-owner George Gillett, who says any failures on the pitch are down to the Spaniard and not himself and American co-owner Tom Hicks.(The Sun) 
However, Benitez will be given a £12m transfer kitty this January by his American bosses in an attempt to salvage the club's title bid.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou is set to become an unlikely beneficiary of Chelsea's transfer ban, with the 23-year-old set to sign a new contract.(The Times) 
Manchester City forward Robinho, who broke a bone in his ankle six weeks ago on international duty, is targeting a return to action against Fulham on 25 October, a month ahead of schedule.(The Sun) 
David Sullivan will step up his efforts to buy West Ham next week when he gets the £25m from Carson Yeung's buyout at Birmingham.(Daily Mirror) 
The outgoing Blues chief has also taken a swipe at Birmingham fans, who he claims have forced him out of the club.(Daily Mirror) 
Hull midfielder Geovanni has revealed he snubbed a return to Brazil in favour of pledging the rest of his career to the Tigers, with whom he recently signed a new three year deal.(Daily Mirror) 
Iain Dowie is being lined up as Director of Football at Notts County so Sven Goran Eriksson can move higher up on the Meadow Lane board.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United's French midfielder Gabriel Obertan has taken up gardening in a bid to help him cope with his injury hell. He has yet to play since signing from Bordeaux in a £3m deal in July because of a back problem.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given has joked that in-form Blues striker Craig Bellamy is so demanding of high standards from his teammates that he "probably moans in his sleep".(Daily Mirror)
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