Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manager Rafael Benitez intends to take striker Fernando Torres with him to Juventus if he opts to leave Liverpool and take charge of the Italian club.(the Sun) 
Manchester City are lining up a £50m bid for the Spain international and could offer an incredible £200,000 a week to lure him to Eastlands.(Guardian) 
But Benitez says Torres, who is 12 months into a four-year contract at Anfield, is not for sale.(The Times) 
Juventus are hoping to lure Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna to the Stadio delle Alpi if the Gunners sign Ajax defender Gregory Van der Wiel.(Daily Mail) 
The Italians are also considering using goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and midfielder Felipe Melo to lure Robin van Persie to Turin.(Daily Mirror) 
Meanwhile, the Gunners have joined a growing list of Premier League clubs interested in the signature of Everton teenager Jack Rodwell. However, the Merseyside club are set to increase the midfielder's wages to ensure he stays at Goodison Park.(The Times) 
Manchester City are keen to tie up a deal for Germany international Mesut Ozil before the 22-year-old Werder Bremen midfielder has the chance to make a name for himself at the World Cup.(The Independent) 
Brazil striker Luis Fabiano has hinted Manchester United would be his destination of choice if he leaves Sevilla in the summer.(Daily Express) 
Hamburg defender Jerome Boateng is set to join brother Kevin-Prince, the Portsmouth midfielder, in English football with a move to Manchester City.(Daily Mail) 
West Brom are preparing a move for out-of-favour Stoke striker Tuncay, but will face competition from Fenerbahce.(Daily Star) 
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has warned fans it will be difficult to recruit big names to St James' Park in the summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United want to beat local rivals Manchester City to the signing of teenage Nigerian midfielder Ramon Azeez.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, who has spent this season on loan at Birmingham, is a £10m target for Arsenal.(Daily Star) 
Blackburn striker Jason Roberts is seeking to clarify his future at Ewood Park as boss Sam Allardyce targets a move for Lech Poznan striker Robert Lewandowski.(Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is eyeing a move for Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd after long-term target Roman Pavlyuchenko rediscovered his form at Tottenham.(Daily Mail) 
Caretaker manager Neil Lennon has told Celtic's board that he would like to sign two strikers, one of them being Scunthorpe United's Gary Hooper, who has been targeted by Wolves and Hull City. (the Times) 
Rangers' hopes of signing James McArthur were dealt a blow when it emerged that Birmingham City are showing an interest in the Hamilton Accies midfielder. (The Herald)
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has rejected speculation linking his club with Dundee United's Garry Kenneth, but Blackpool are keeping tabs on the defender. (Daily Record) 
Aberdeen have made contract offers to Kilmarnock forward Kevin Kyle and to Dons on-loan Plymouth attacker Steven MacLean. (the Press & Journal) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Everton manager David Moyes has rejected speculation that he may be in line to take over from Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson when the Scot retires.(Daily Record) 
Tottenham and England winger Aaron Lennon could be set to return from a four-month injury lay-off against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. (Daily Mirror) 
England boss Fabio Capello is desperate to take Tottenham's Ledley King to the World Cup despite the defender's recurrent injury problems.(Daily Mirror) 
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies will quit the City Ground and take up the reins at Celtic if his Championship side fail to win promotion to the Premier League. (Daily Mirror) 


AND FINALLY

France legend Zinedine Zidane will be the star signing in this year's Soccer Aid football match on 6 June at Old Trafford. The former Real Madrid star will be among a group of stars playing for the Rest of the World team against a team of celebrities.(the Sun)
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