Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea will bid £22m in the summer for Inter Milan's Brazilian defender Douglas Maicon, a player wanted by the club's probable new manager Carlo Ancelotti.(Daily Star) 
Tottenham and Liverpool are battling it out for the chance to buy Portsmouth and England right-back Glen Johnson.(The Sun) 
Arsenal are preparing a £15m move for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland.(The Sun) 
But the Gunners are set to cash in on striker Emmanuel Adebayor with the Togo international unhappy with fans' criticism of his performances. Chelsea, Inter Milan and AC Milan are possible buyers. (Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa and Birmingham are leading the chase for Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia, who is rated at £8m.(The Sun)
West Ham are willing to sell injury-prone striker Dean Ashton over the summer and are hoping that Newcastle or Aston Villa might revive their previous interest.(Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham are looking to land Derby pair Kris Commons and Giles Barnes as Alex McLeish prepares for the Blues' return to the top flight.(Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa defender Zat Knight could cross the city to join up with McLeish's newly-promoted side.(The Guardian) 
Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong has warned the Magpies that he will seek a transfer should the club drop into the Championship. (The Times)
Giant Hibernian defender Rob Jones is being tracked by a host of English league clubs including Bristol City, Derby, Leeds, Swansea, West Brom and Nottingham Forest - with Forest lining up a £1m bid.(Bristol Evening Post) 
Dundee United have agreed a pre-contract deal with Huddersfield striker Danny Cadamarteri. (Various)
Wigan manager Steve Bruce has shelved plans to swoop for £4m-rated Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher. (Daily Express) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Carlos Tevez's future at Manchester United is looking bleak with the Argentine, as well as fellow forward Dimitar Berbatov, set to be left on the bench for the Champions League final next week.(The Sun) 
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been cleared by the Football Association in his spitting row with Hull assistant manager Brian Horton.(The Sun) 
Sunderland will offer former Tottenham boss Martin Jol the manager's job at the Stadium of Light in the summer.(Daily Star) 
Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has predicted that AC Milan counterpart Carlo Ancelotti will switch to Chelsea for next season.(The Independent) 
Chelsea have cancelled plans for an FA Cup victory parade, citing the credit crunch.(The Sun) 
Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson is holding off signing a new contract as he is undecided over his long-term future.(Daily Star) 
Everton centre-back Joseph Yobo is poised to sign a new five-year deal to stay at Goodison Park after ironing out problems from his initial negotiations with the club.(The Guardian) 
England's 2018 World Cup bid has been criticised by Fifa vice-president Jack Warner after a British National Party councillor was invited to its Wembley launch.(The Guardian) 

AND FINALLY 

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is backing Barcelona, the club where he started his career, rather than Manchester United in the Champions League final.
"I want the Spanish side to win and I don't want our closest rivals to collect another title," he said. (The Independent)
Manchester United fans have been given special dispensation by Uefa to create a mosaic tribute to former boss Sir Matt Busby ahead of the Champions League final kick-off in Rome. (Various)
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