Thursday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Another player not interested in going to Stamford Bridge is Milan's Andrea Pirlo. Despite Milan president Silvio Berlusconi hinting he could leave, the player's agent says "We are not worried by Berlusconi's comment. He is a Milan player, he is under contract and he honours contracts." (Press Association) 
Chelsea seem set to miss out on Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery, who is only interested in going to Real Madrid, and also AC Milan's Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, who says he is part of Milan and the club decides his life.(The Times) 
Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa says he is "filled with pride" to be linked to Real Madrid and "it would be a lie" to assume he will be at Anfield next season.(Daily Telegraph) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Wigan say they have received "acceptable" bids of £14m to £18m from Manchester United and Real Madrid for winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Mail) 
United are also interested in signing Atletico Madrid's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero, who scored 17 goals in La Liga last season and is valued at £45m.(The Independent) 
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas has dropped his biggest hint yet that he could leave Arsenal, calling the club "impotent" because of their failure to challenge for the title and suggesting he would like to join Real Madrid. (The Sun) 
Inter Milan sporting director Marco Branca flew into London on Wednesday for talks with Chelsea about a £10m double bid for Ricardo Carvalho and Deco.(The Sun) 
Blackburn could move for Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch to replace Roque Santa Cruz, who has joined Manchester City.(Daily Star) 
Middlesbrough have paved the way for winger Stewart Downing to join Tottenham by signing Mark Yeates from Colchester (Daily Express).
Turkish club Besiktas want Portsmouth midfielder John Utaka and Greek top-flight newcomers Atromitos are interested in Pompey's veteran defender Sol Campbell (Daily Mirror). 
Sunderland want to sign Newcastle striker Peter Lovenkrands on a free transfer (The Sun).
Former Liverpool and Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse is to have a medical with Greek side Panathinaikos (Daily Star). 
Liverpool have received an offer from Malaga for their unwanted goalkeeper, Charles Itandje, who was fined for misbehaving during the Hillsborough memorial service (The Guardian).
Stoke have added Newcastle striker Alan Smith to their list of summer transfer targets (Daily Telegraph). 
Tottenham midfielder Adel Taarabt is to join Malaga on loan with a view to a permanent £2.5m transfer (Daily Mirror).
Ipswich are targeting former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune, who is currently without a club (The Independent). 

OTHER GOSSIP

Peter Reid is in line to be the new Southampton manager if a rival group beats Matthew Le Tissier's takeover consortium to buy the club.(Daily Star) 
Arsenal defender Keiran Gibbs is expected to sign a lucrative new five-year deal when he returns from England duty at the European Under-21 championships.(Daily Star) 
Real Madrid will reportedly insert a buy-out clause of £1bn in winger Cristiano Ronaldo's contract when he completes his move from Manchester United (Daily Telegraph).

AND FINALLY

England Under-21 winger Theo Walcott says he played so badly against Finland in the European Under-21 Championship that even his parents booed him when he was substituted. (Various)
A six-year-old boy asked the Celtic club shop to put the name of new goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska on the back of his shirt - but staff had not heard of him (Daily Record).
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