Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp faces a battle with Liverpool to sign former Arsenal favourite Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan in the January transfer window.(Daily Telegraph) 
The two clubs are also keeping tabs on Atletico Madrid Diego Forlan after the Uruguay striker admitted he would like to return to England.(Daily Mirror) 
New Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has been promised funds for players in the new year, with the club expecting its transfer ban to be lifted before the January transfer window.(The Sun) 
Defender Brede Hangeland is set to sign a new deal at Fulham, scuppering Arsenal's hopes of luring the Norwegian to north London.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United have concluded a deal for Cardiff's teenage defender Adam Matthews, who will move to Old Trafford for £5m in the January transfer window.(The Sun) 
Tottenham have tied up a £4m deal to bring Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra to White Hart Lane.(The Sun) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is tracking Portugal international Miguel after the right-back fell out with Valencia coach Unai Emery.(The Sun) 
Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee is close to admitting they cannot afford to sign USA midfielder Stuart Holden when the Aberdeen-born player's contract with Houston Dynamo ends this month. (Daily Express)
Falkirk are awaiting international clearance to sign 23-year-old midfielder Toufik Zerara, most recently with Dubai outfit Al Dhafra. (Various) 
Midfielder Simon Ferry says he wants to quit Celtic permanently after his loan to Swindon Town was extended until the summer. (The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello wants to go head-to-head with Diego Maradona's Argentina team in a pre-World Cup friendly next March.(Daily Mail) 
Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has warned England not to heap too many expectations on striker Wayne Rooney for the 2010 World Cup.(Daily Mirror) 
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres insists manager Rafael Benitez is the right man to turn around Liverpool's ailing fortunes. (Daily Express) 
Former Manchester United star Fabien Barthez has sparked uproar in France when it was revealed he charged 70 Euro a minute as Raymond Domenech's goalkeeping coach. (Daily Star) 
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti says Jose Mourinho's job is safe - despite their uncertain Champions League fate following a 2-0 defeat by Barcelona on Tuesday.(Daily Telegraph) 
Bolton manager Gary Megson insists there is no "witch-hunt" after suggesting "one or two" players were destabilising the Premier League club. (Daily Telegraph)
Madjid Bougherra says he will repay Rangers with good performances after explaining his late return from international duty was because of celebrations in his homeland after Algeria beat Egypt to qualify for the World Cup finals. (The Sun) 
Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith will propose the use of video replays to help referees when he addresses the International Football Association Board meeting in March. (Various)

AND FINALLY

The mysterious horse placenta healer of Belgrade has won over many England-based footballers, but it seems Frank Lampard isn't one of them. The Chelsea midfielder walked out after an hour of treatment with Marijana Kovacevic, who uses fluid derived from a horse's placenta, in a bid to heal his thigh injury.(The Independent) 
An email on behalf of John Terry has been sent to prospective sponsors outlining the England captain's suitability to endorse companies for the 2010 World Cup. The email states that Terry was "voted as one of the World's most influencial (sic) people".(Daily Mail)
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