TRANSFER GOSSIP
David Beckham could be on his way back to England with AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti hoping to take the midfielder with him in a switch to Chelsea. (Sunday Mirror)
Chelsea are already making plans for life without Didier Drogba as they consider bids for Atletico Madrid's £50m-rated Sergio Aguero and Wolfsburg's Bosnian striker Edin Dzerko. (News of the World)
Cristiano Ronaldo has reiterated his desire to stay at Manchester United, claiming that manager Sir Alex Ferguson is like a "second father to me". (News of the World)
But Ferguson, while confident that United's recent success is enough to keep Ronaldo at the club, is resigned to losing Carlos Tevez over the summer. (Mail on Sunday)
Arsene Wenger has left the door open for Thierry Henry to return to Arsenal, revealing that he still talks to the Barcelona striker who watches all the Gunners games on television. (News of the World)
Texan millionaire Ellis Short will complete a buy-out at Sunderland next week and hand a new manager, possibly Martin Jol or Steve McClaren, a £200m transfer budget to turn the Black Cats into a major force. (Sunday Express)
Manchester City are also stepping up their interest in Emmanuel Adebayor and are ready to meet Arsene Wenger's £21m valuation of the striker. (News of the World)
Mark Hughes has switched his attention away from Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz to Aston Villa's John Carew as he continues his hunt for a new striker at Manchester City. (Sunday Mirror)
Martin O'Neill has told Liverpool they will have to pay £10m if they want to successfully revive their interest in Gareth Barry, despite the midfielder having just one year left on his Aston Villa contract. (Sunday Mirror)
But competition from Manchester City and AC Milan could push the bidding past the £19m mark. (People)
Rafael Benitez is closing in on a £15m deal to take Portsmouth and England defender Glen Johnson to Anfield. The Spaniard is also weighing up a bid for Heerenveen winger Daniel Pranjic. (Sunday Express)
German giants Bayern Munich are also monitoring Johnson and are ready for an auction against the Reds, Manchester City and Totenham. (People)
Xabi Alonso could be on his way out of Liverpool, however, after his agent told Benitez his client wants to move on. Real Madrid are favourites to land the Spain international, but could face competition from Arsenal , Manchester City and Juventus. (News of the World)
Chelsea's pursuit of Zenit St Petersburg forward Danny could be put on hold however after the 25-year-old suffered a knee injury in training. (News of the World)
Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant could choose between either Real or Atletico Madrid with both clubs keen on taking him to the Spanish capital this summer when he becomes available on a Bosman. (News of the World)
Wigan manager Steve Bruce is ready to do battle with Everton and Blackburn for the signature of Newcastle's Alan Smith. (News of the World)
Fulham's frontline could feature 6ft 4in Austria international Marko Arnautovic if an approach to FC Twente is successful. (News of the World)
.
OTHER GOSSIP
The Norwegian Football Association is calling for a fresh inquiry into the 2005 dealings that took Jon Mikel Obi from FC Lyn to Chelsea via Manchester United. The midfielder signed an option agreement with United before announcing he wanted to move to Stamford Bridge. (Mail on Sunday)
Alan Shearer has already made summer signing plans with the Newcastle board and is set to commit himself to the Magpies regardless of the outcome of today's fight against the drop. (Sunday Express)
Patrice Evra has accused Arsenal players over attempting to injure him ahead of the Champions league final in revenge for his "men against babies" comments after United's semi-final victory at the Emirates. (Various)
Former Everton legend Peter Reid is the figurehead for international investment company London Nominees which hopes to buy the Toffees. (News of the World)
Rafael Benitez has moved to end his feud with Sir Alex Ferguson by writing him a personal letter offering help and support while the Scot's grandson was being treated in Liverpool's Alder Hay hospital. (Sunday Mirror)
AND FINALLY
Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin wants to renegotiate his £80,000-a-week contract after complaining that British taxes swallow up half his salary. (Mail on Sunday)
www.bbc.co.uk
