Friday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini says he is prepared to take charge of Nigeria's national team after receiving an unofficial approach (Gazzetta dello Sport) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are battling it out with Arsenal for Inter Milan's £18m-rated striker Mario Balotelli.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea have also been linked with a £13.5m move for Santos striker Neymar. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is set to land Switzerland World Cup keeper Eldin Jakupovic as competition for current number one Heurelho Gomes.(Daily Mirror) 
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso could be heading for the Premier League after talks over extending his contract at the Italian club broke down. (The Sun) 
Newcastle have turned down the opportunity to sign former England defender Sol Campbell who is now a free agent after leaving Notts County. (Daily Mirror) 
The Magpies however, could move for former Newcastle midfielder Laurent Robert who is a free agent after leaving Larissa. (Daily Mirror) 
But, Robert's plea to be given an opportunity at St James' Park is likely to go unanswered.(The Times) 
Stoke want to sign Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies in a £3m deal and then loan him back to the Terriers. (Daily Mirror) 
Burnley want on-loan striker David Nugent to join on loan from Portsmouth on a permanent basis. (The Times) 
Birmingham are being linked with a move for Valencia forward Nikola Zigic in January. (The Times) 
Peterborough United boss Mark Cooper is setting up a move for Crewe's giant striker Calvin Zola when the transfer window opens in January. (Daily Mirror) 
Malky Mackay, the Watford manager, does not expect to have to sell players despite the club's precarious financial situation. (The Times) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is on the brink of quitting the League Two club because he is not being paid the full amount of his seven-figure contract. (Daily Mail) 
The 32 nations who made it to South Africa will share a jackpot of more than £250m next summer.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile, 200m people across the globe are expected to watch Friday's World Cup draw.(The Sun) 
Football fans will also be able to watch next year's World Cup in 3D for the first time.(Daily Telegraph) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has hit out at the lack of loyalty shown to him by fans at his former club, Manchester United. (The Sun) 
Middlesbrough have offered fans a gamble - anyone buying a half-season ticket by 21 December will get their money back if Gordon Strachan's men go on a winning streak of four games in a row.(Daily Mirror)
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