Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are edging closer to signing Valencia forwards David Villa and David Silva, with the Spanish club willing to listen to offers. With winger Cristiano Ronaldo offloaded in the summer, Sir Alex Ferguson has cash to spare and the United manager is willing to pay £40m for the duo.(Daily Mirror) 
Liverpool are keen on securing the services of Sampdoria midfielder Koman Vladimir. The Hungarian star is currently on loan at Bari and is valued at £4m.(Daily Mirror) 
Italian side Juventus are all set to make a £6m bid for Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta in January.(The Sun) 
Birmingham City are favourites to sign Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Star) 
Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric has told free agent Edgar Davids he has 24 hours to decide on joining. The Dutch midfielder recently held talks with the Championship side over a possible move.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton and Celtic are considering a swoop for FC Utrecht's Dutch striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel. (The Sun) 
QPR are targeting 22-year-old Gillingham's £1m-rated striker Simeon Jackson. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has suggested that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has too much power and leads a number of Premier League bosses in ganging up on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez. (The Sun) 
Argentina boss Diego Maradona has tipped Angel Di Maria to be the country's next footballing hero. The 21-year-old Benfica striker was watched recently by Chelsea scouts and Maradona said: "Angel has the quality to be a worldwide superstar."(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham defender Ledley King is hoping to open up talks on extending his deal at White Hart Lane. The club captain's contract expires at the end of the season and Spurs have an option of a one-year extension. (The Sun)
Hull manager Phil Brown is mulling over selecting striker Jozy Altidore after the 19-year-old American was fined for revealing on social networking site Twitter that he was dropped for the match against Portsmouth for being late. (The Sun) 
Former Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is targeting a return to management and is one of 50 applicants attempting to land the post at League Two outfit Aldershot.(Daily Mirror) 
Former England under-21 boss Peter Taylor is close to linking up with Roy Keane at Ipswich as first-team coach. Taylor, who recently left his post as Wycombe manager, has been recruited by the Tractors boss to improve on their winless start to the season.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Manuel Pellegrini's role as Real Madrid coach is under threat after a 4-0 defeat in the fourth round, first leg of the Copa del Rey to Alcorcón from regional Second Division B, Group II. Pellegrini said: "There are no explanations. Alcorcón played very well. We hope our fans can forgive us after this defeat."(The Guardian)
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Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool have been stunned by the news that midfielder Javier Mascherano has rejected a new contract, with the Argentine pushing for a move to Barcelona.
It won't help soothe the worries of manager Rafa Benitez as he prepares for the clash with Manchester United on the back of four successive defeats.(The Star) 
Meanwhile, with doubts continuing over the future of the Reds' American owners, there are growing fears that a lack of trophies this season at Anfield will lead to the exit of Spaniard Fernando Torres.(Sunday Mirror) 
Chelsea are considering an £18m move for Napoli's attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik if their transfer ban is lifted in January.(Sunday Times) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is monitoring 17-year-old Spartak Moscow midfielder Zhano Ananidze - the player dubbed the 'next Georgi Kinkladze'.(goal.com) 
Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have been shocked after being told they will have to pay £86m to land Porto's Brazilian striker Givanildo Vieira de Souza. (Sunday Express)
Everton have joined the race to sign Middlesbrough's highly rated winger Adam Johnson, who has also attracted interest from Sunderland.(News of the World) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Gerard Houllier is set to return to the Premier League at Birmingham City as new owner Carson Yeung weighs up managerial options, with Alex McLeish currently holding the reins. (News of the World) 
Portsmouth are to be thrown a £15m lifeline by two businessmen from Israel and Hong Kong in another twist in the Fratton Park side's fortunes.(Mail on Sunday) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has been invited to end his career at Bournemouth. Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell said: "He is a legend here and we would love to have him around." (Sunday Express)
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has rejected the chance to become assistant manager at Portsmouth.(News of the World) 
Leicester City have offered veteran Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids a performance-related deal but are awaiting confirmation on his current fitness levels. (News of the World)
Jermaine Pennant, who joined Real Zaragoza from Liverpool in July, believes England coach Fabio Capello should make him England's regular right-winger. (Sunday Times) 

AND FINALLY

A happy story for Sunday with West Ham's Calum Davenport - who almost lost his legs following a knife attack in August - being told he will play again despite a 15-inch scar on his leg.(News of the World) 
England coach Fabio Capello has developed a deep affection for London since moving to the capital and says his favourite musical is Mamma Mia. "We've all got Abba songs in our heads after all," he says.(Sunday Times) 
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed why he has succeeded in football in the UK.The 60-year-old Frenchman said: "My secret is adapting to the country I am in. Here I eat roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. There are people who visit different countries and don't adapt. It is a must."(Sunday Express)
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