Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona may cool their interest in Manchester City's Robinho, having opened discussions with Valencia's David Silva instead.
Full story: Sunday Times

Manchester United face competition from Chelsea for the signature of Everton's Jack Rodwell in January.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

And former United player Steve Bruce hopes to bring their goalkeeper Ben Foster to Sunderland on loan, as Craig Gordon is out with a broken arm. (Sunday Express)

In their own hunt for a goalkeeper, United have been told CSKA Moscow want £25m for stopper Igor Akinfeev.
Full story: News of the World

Bruce has a few other Sunderland targets in mind, including Argentine Diego Buonanotte and Mexican winger Nestor Calderon.
Full story: News of the World

Liverpool will make a bid for Ruud van Nistelrooy, now surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, in January.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Chelsea are favourites to sign highly-rated Ipswich 16-year-old Connor Wickham.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is keen on Swansea captain Ashley Williams and Honduras striker Roger Rojas. (Mail on Sunday)

West Ham will continue to pay unwanted midfielder Nigel Quashie £20,000 a week in wages when he joins MK Dons on loan in the coming week.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Clubs will get an extra day to sign players during the January window - the FA has now extended the deadline to 1700 GMT on 1 February, as 30 January falls on a Sunday. (Sunday Express)

OTHER GOSSIP

Argentina want Guus Hiddink to leave Russia and join up with Diego Maradona for the World Cup.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Alan Shearer could take over at Sheffield United if boss Kevin Blackwell is sacked.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Fabio Capello will not be capable of guiding England to World Cup glory in South Africa.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Meanwhile, Ferguson and United plan to offer striker Wayne Rooney a contract worth £170,000 a week.
Full story: News of the World

England's 2018 World Cup bid team are keen to bring Arsenal's French manager, Arsene Wenger, on board - potentially as the campaign's figurehead.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Thierry Henry could be banned for the start of the World Cup if a Fifa panel decides his infamous handball constituted "unsporting behaviour". (Sunday Telegraph)

A leading expert in match-fixing believes Asian bookmakers and "fixers" have "strong" contacts in the Premier League. (Sunday Telegraph)

AND FINALLY

The beachball which starred in Sunderland's 1-0 victory over Liverpool last month is to go on display at the National Football Museum in Preston. (Sunday Express)

David Beckham will return to the United States after the World Cup, play for the LA Galaxy until 2011, then invest in an MLS franchise.
Full story: The Observer

Manchester United's French defender Patrice Evra has offered angry Irish fans a replay of their controversial World Cup qualifier - on his Playstation.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

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