Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal will make a £17m summer move for Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor if the 23-year-old has a strong finish to the season.(Daily Star) 
Or Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could instead bid £14m in an attempt to lure 20-year-old Nice striker Loic Remy to the Emirates.(The Sun) 
Nemanja Vidic will leave Manchester United in the summer and head for a club in southern Europe. The 28-year-old defender and his wife Ana have failed to settle in Manchester and will head for sunnier climes.(Daily Mail) 
However, Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik could be a summer arrival at Old Trafford. The 22-year-old has been earmarked as a player who can breathe new life into a Manchester United squad that features several stars in their mid thirties.(Daily Telegraph) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is weighing up a swoop for Honduran striker Melvin Valladeres. The 25-year-old, recommended by Spurs midfielder Wilson Palacios, has been given a two-week trial by the club.(The Mirror) 
Derby boss Nigel Clough is hoping to sign DJ Campbell on loan from Leicester before the deadline for emergency signings passes on Thursday. However, Sheffield Wednesday are also keen to sign the 28-year-old striker.(The Mirror) 
Sheffield United striker Jamie Ward, 23, is wanted by West Brom. Ward has scored four times for the Blades this season but could move in January for around £1.5m.(The Mirror) 
Arsenal are set to beat Manchester United and their rivals Manchester City to the signing of QPR youngster Raheem Sterling. The Gunners will have to pay £750,000 in compensation for the striker.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Avram Grant is set to move up from his director of football role to become Portsmouth manager following Paul Hart's exit on Tuesday.(The Sun)
Alternatively, Pompey could chose former Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson and name him in time for Saturday's game against his father's team - Manchester United. (Daily Express) 
Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar could come out of international retirement to play in the World Cup for The Netherlands next summer. Van der Sar will only be four months short of his 40th birthday when the tournament starts.(The Guardian) 
Sunderland striker Darren Bent is set to miss five matches because of a hamstring injury. The Black Cats are already without Kenwyne Jones, who is completing a three-match ban.(The Sun) 
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is set to land a bumper £5m-a-year pay deal that will keep him at Craven Cottage until 2012. Fulham currently lie 12th in the Premier League and have already beaten Liverpool this campaign. (Daily Express)

AND FINALLY

Roy Keane has apologised after saying the Republic of Ireland should "get over" France striker Thierry Henry's handball in last week's World Cup qualifier. "I apologise to anyone I offended. I'm only 38 and will make mistakes," he said.(The Sun) 
Sam Allardyce's wife, Lynn, will ban him from using his mobile phone tonight to ensure he has no involvement in Blackburn's clash with Fulham. The Rovers manager, 55, is set to undergo heart surgery on Friday.(Daily Mail)
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