Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City have been told by Benfica that star forward Angel Di Maria will cost them £36m after they made him their top target to replace Brazilian Robinho, who has been linked with Barcelona. (Daily Mail) 
Liverpool have placed a £14m price tag on midfielder Lucas Leiva after a couple of top European sides inquired about his availability. (Daily Mirror) 
Fulham are planning a January swoop for Palermo's Brazilian keeper Rubinho who is rated at around £3m. (The Sun) 
Blackburn are considering a £4m bid for AZ Alkmaar's Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm. (Daily Mirror) 
Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in Gillingham striker Simeon Williamson and are preparing a £1.5m bid. (Daily Mirror) 
West Brom are set to launch a £2.5m raid on Championship rivals Leicester for striker Matty Fryatt. (Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham are tracking Sevilla striker Arouna Kone and Real Betis midfielder Achille Emana. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

The Football Association could face a £900,000 compensation bill from Chelsea after midfielder Frank Lampard suffered a thigh injury while on board a "cramped economy jet".(The Sun) 
Manchester United have sent Rio Ferdinand to a see a specialist about his back issues and has been placed on a new course of treatment to spare the defender a significant lay-off.(The Guardian) 
Peterborough want Brentford boss Andy Scott to replace former manager Darren Ferguson at the Championship club.(The Sun) 
Manchester City forward Robinho is set to anger his club manager Mark Hughes by playing for his national side Brazil against England, despite being out of action with an ankle injury since August.(The Sun) 
Liverpool's Fabio Aurelio has been forced to pull out of Brazil's squad to face England and is the Premier League club's latest injury worry. Steven Gerrard, Fernado Torres, Glen Johnson, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera are among the other injured first-teamers.(The Guardian) 

AND FINALLY

Derby County midfielder Robbie Savage suffered embarrassment after turning up at an airport where his side were due to fly to Amsterdam for a friendly with his wife's passport.(Daily Mirror)