Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP 

Manchester City have held talks with Barcelona about signing Samuel Eto'o for a fee of about £40m. The Cameroon international striker has stalled on a new four-year deal at the Camp Nou and Barca could run the risk of losing him for nothing with 14 months left on his current deal. (Various)
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admits he may have to sell some of his current squad to fund his summer transfer kitty. The Spaniard is eyeing Valencia duo David Silva and Raul Albiol, as well as Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. (Various)
Middlesbrough's record £12m signing Afonso Alves will join Benfica in the summer, even if the Teesiders escape relegation. (Various) 
Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora says he is ready to quit the club after losing his first-team place. Team-mates David Bentley, Tom Huddlestone, Gareth Bale and Jermaine Jenas also face uncertain futures at White Hart Lane. (Daily Mirror)
Tottenham and Manchester City are among a number of clubs heading the list for Blackburn's Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Guardian) 
AC Milan owner Silvio Burlusconi says he is unsure whether Carlo Ancelotti will be at the San Siro next season, fuelling speculation the Rossoneri coach will join Chelsea in the summer. (Daily Star)
Former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, now in charge of German side Hamburg, is favourite to succeed Jurgen Klinsmann, who was sacked as Bayern Munich manager on Tuesday. (The Times) 
Klinsmann's availability could interest Manchester City should the club decide to sack current manager Mark Hughes. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United winger Nani faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford following his second-half substitution in the 5-2 victory over Tottenham. The Portugal international has yet to complete 90 minutes in six Premier League starts this season. (Independent) 
Manchester City defender Richard Dunne has outlined his commitment to stay at Eastlands, despite interest from Sunderland. (Daily Star) 
Birmingham City and Newcastle are set to fight it out over £4m Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra. (The Sun) 
 
OTHER GOSSIP 

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry insists the Catalan giants are not just about Lionel Messi. ""Players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta are both unique and brilliant players." (Daily Star) 
Barcelona midfielder Xavi says Barca are a better side than the one beaten by Manchester United in last year's Champions League semi-final. (The Sun)
Chelsea right-back Jose Boswinga believes he can contain Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. (Daily Star) 
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor says Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic is the toughest defender he has played against. (The Sun)
Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas could face a possible Football Association rap for criticising referee Howard Webb following his penalty decision in Spurs' 5-2 defeat by Manchester United. (Various) 
Sunderland striker David Healy could make his full Sunderland debut against Everton on Saturday, nine months after former boss Roy Keane signed him from Fulham for £1.5m. (Daily Star)
Celtic's title bid has been handed a boost with news that captain Stephen McManus and striker Georgios Samaras will be fit for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at Pittodrie against Aberdeen. (Daily Record) 
Livingston chairman Angelo Massone has been ordered to attend a meeting with SFL chiefs to explain the escalating crisis at the club. (Daily Record) 
Hampden chief David Kells has leapt to the defence of the Hampden pitch following recent criticism, saying he will not be tearing up the national stadium's turf. (Daily Record)  
Celtic midfielder Marc Crosas has hit out at the standard of Scottish football, saying he feels derby experiences to date have been disappointing. (The Herald) 
Full story Falkirk have asked for a 50-50 ticket split for the Scottish Cup final at Hampden with Rangers in May. (The Herald) 
Celtic could join the English Premier League within ten years, according to the club's majority shareholder Dermot Desmond. (The Star) 

AND FINALLY 

Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor has compared AC Milan to bootylicious singer Beyonce after he admitted nearly quitting the Emirates for the San Siro. "It's like a boy being told Beyonce is looking for them," said the Togo international. (The Sun)
www.bbc.co.uk