Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba wants to join Barcelona - and could be set to move for £25m in the summer. (Star)

And Blues defender Wayne Bridge has threatened to leave if he is overlooked for the Carling Cup final. (Daily Mail)

Frank Lampard is the third Chelsea player who could head for the exit as speculation mounts that Juventus are set to make a bid for him. (Guardian)

Derby striker Kenny Miller has refused to rule out a return to Rangers after being linked to the club. (The Times)

Aston Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen could join Barnsley on an emergency loan deal for their FA Cup tie at Liverpool on Saturday. (The Times)

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan admits he is a facing a battle to keep Charles N'Zogbia at the club. (The Times)

Manchester City defender Richard Dunne is considering buying out the last 12 months of his contract so he can leave the club this summer. (Mirror)

Fulham are set to move for Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia. (Mirror)

Crewe have pulled out of a loan deal for ex-winger Steve Jones after he suffered a knee injury. (Daily Star)

West Brom are interested in signing Aston Villa's Luke Moore on a loan deal. (Daily Star)

Leeds manager Gary McAllister is planning a double swoop for Doncaster's Adam Lockwood and Jason Price. (Mirror)

Rotherham and Hereford are battling it out to capture Bury striker Glynn Hurst on loan for the remainder of the season. (Star)

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OTHER GOSSIP

Opposition to the Premier League's proposals to play a round of matches abroad is growing among supporters who have set up seven groups on Facebook, under the banner of 'No to Game 39'. (Various)

However, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore is planning to embark on a global tour to promote the idea, beginning with a meeting in Zurich with Fifa president Sepp Blatter. (the Times)

But Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists no-one in England is in favour of the Premier League's plans. (The Times)

And former England manager Graham Taylor has urged the Football Association to stand up to the Premier League. He says the governing body "should act like one". (Various)

Elsewhere, Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has added his voice to those who believe the 39th game is not a good idea - he has called it "absurd". (Daily Express)

Trevor Brooking says the FA is on course complete the new National Football Centre in Burton by 2010. (The Times)

Former Arsenal star Liam Brady is expected to play a key role in the Republic of Ireland managerial hierarchy after Giovanni Trapattoni is appointed on Wednesday. (The Times)

Bolton midfielder Ivan Campo has opened talks about extending his deal at the club beyond the end of this season. (The Times)

Steve McManaman has insisted he is not interested in becoming a director at Birmingham, despite 29.9% shareholder Carson Yeung's desire for the former Liverpool player to join the board. (The Times)

Reading manager Steve Coppell has been assured his job is safe even if the club are relegated from the Premier League. (Daily Star)

Sheffield Wednesday are on the verge of being taken over by a consortium from China for £40m. (Daily Star)

Southampton are ready to appoint Iain Dowie as manager after his sacking as Coventry boss. (Mirror)

MK Dons manager Paul Ince has emerged as a target for Italian Serie A side Palermo. (Mirror)

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AND FINALLY

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor says team-mate Cesc Fabregas is the worst dancer he has ever seen. After Gunners players were left in hysterics watching the Spaniard's best moves, Adebayor said: "We have to give him lessons - he really needs help." (The Sun)

Sunderland have been spending their week off enjoying some team-bonding exercises. Sent to the Lake District, the players have been clay pigeon shooting, quad-biking, orienteering and sheep-penning. (The Times)

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