Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP 

AC Milan forward Kaka wants the Italian club to sign Steven Gerrard, despite the England midfielder recently agreeing a new contract with Liverpool. (Daily Mail) 
Cristiano Ronaldo's future has been plunged into fresh doubt after Ramón Calderón, the former Real Madrid president claimed the Spanish champions have a formal agreement to sign "one of the best players in the world" in the summer. (The Times) 
Liverpool forward Ryan Babel is expected to lead a summer exodus from Liverpool after voicing his frustration at his minor role in Rafael Benítez's squad this season. (The Times) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will keep striker Roman Pavlyuchenko but ditch Darren Bent in the summer, according to the Russian's agent. (The Sun) 
Or Redknapp could let Pavlyuchenko and Bent leave and spend £10m replacing them with Sunderland's 24-year-old striker Kenwyne Jones. (Daily Mirror) 
But the Tottenham boss has pushed Genoa's Diego Milito to the bottom of his wanted list with Juventus and Inter Milan both chasing the striker. (Daily Express) 
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will not pay over the odds for Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour this summer. Liege want £15m for the Belgian but O'Neill values the 22-year-old at £7m. (Daily Star) 
Wigan manager Steve Bruce has told Egyptian striker Mido, on loan at the JJB Stadium from Middlesbrough, that he is on course to earn a permanent move to Wigan this summer. (Various) 
Meanwhile, Bruce has run the rule over Santos Laguna and Ecuador striker Cristian Benitez. (The Sun) 
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will be given the summer-funds to sign Joe Ledley, 22, from Cardiff for a fee of around £7m, and McCarthy is also tracking Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce. (Various) 
Arsenal are considering a bid to bring West Ham defender Matthew Upson back to the club, although it may depend on whether the Hammers get into Europe. (Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is ready to bid for Swansea's goal machine Jason Scotland - whether his club beats the drop or not.  

OTHER GOSSIP 

Walter Smith has opened the door for Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor to play again for Rangers. The Ibrox boss revealed he has changed his mind on sidelining the shamed Scotland stars because the SFA admit they botched their handling of the Boozegate affair. (Various) 
But Ferguson and McGregor could still both be sold in the summer if offers come in that prove suitable to Rangers and the players. (Daily Mail) 
Rangers striker Kris Boyd has suffered a fresh blow when he was omitted from the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year awards. 
The Scottish Premier League top scorer, who was almost sold in January, has 28 goals for the season and currently sits just two short of a century in Rangers colours. (Daily Mail) 
Juventus have confirmed Claudio Ranieri will remain their coach next season. (The Independent) 
Inter Milan are considering cancelling Adriano's contract after the Brazil striker said he was taking a break from the game. (The Independent) 
 
AND FINALLY 

England fans can breath easy, with the news that Wayne Rooney's wife Colleen is planning a Caesarean birth for the couple's first child. 
Colleen is due on 10 October - the same day as England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine - but she now plans to have a Caesarean in late September. (The Sun)
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