Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Out-of-favour Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will reject Arsenal in favour of a move to Liverpool on loan.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham want to sign Manchester City defender Micah Richards in the January transfer window(Daily Mirror) 
Burnley want to sign striker David Nugent on a permanent deal from Portsmouth when his loan deal expires.(The Sun) 
Blackburn and Burnley are both keeping tabs on 25-year-old Lincoln goalkeeper Rob Burch.(The Sun) 
Southend are keen to sign Crewe defender Billy Jones and Wycombe veteran Michael Duberry. (Daily Mirror)

OTHER GOSSIP

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright's attempts to sell the club have suffered a major blow after planning permission for a new stadium was rejected.(The Independent) 
Former Inter Milan goalkeeper Walter Zenga is being lined up as Bolton's next manager.(Daily Mirror) 
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has laughed off Wigan chairman Dave Whelan's suggestion that the Latics' 9-1 thrashing by Tottenham was partly down to some of Bruce's "dodgy" signings when he was in charge of the side.(The Times) 
Stamford Bridge looks likely to miss out on being one of the grounds included in England's 2018 World Cup bid as there is not enough room around the stadium but the London Olympic Stadium is likely to be included.(Daily Mail) 
Former Sports Minster Richard Caborn wants BBC presenter and former striker Gary Lineker to join the England 2018 World Cup bid, calling him "a modern day Sir Bobby Charlton". (Daily Telegraph).
Former Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson could return to management at Sheffield United - if Kevin Blackwell is sacked. The Blades have won only one of their last nine games.(Daily Mirror) 
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo returned to action in the Champions League on Tuesday after two months out with an ankle injury and should be available for the top-of-the-table La Liga clash with Barcelona this weekend.(Daily Mirror) 
Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch fears the team could be broken up after their exit from the Champions League.(The Guardian) 

AND FINALLY

Arsenal defender Armand Traore will have surgery in the summer to get rid of his tattoos, calling them "one of the biggest mistakes of my life".(Daily Mirror)
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