Wednesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Schalke 04's German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is being tracked by Manchester United according to the player's agent Thomas Kroth. (German newspaper Bild)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea look set to shake off competition from Inter Milan to seal a £40m-plus deal for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero. (Daily Mirror)
Or, Atletico Madrid have turned down a £44m offer for Argentinean Aguero and are holding out for the £50m they believe he is worth. (Daily Star) 
Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, who is currently with Real Zaragoza, is a target for Aston Villa.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge and right-back Micah Richards are facing the axe as manager Mark Hughes looks to sharpen up his defence.(The Sun) 
Holland defender Gregory Van der Wiel has said he is committed to Ajax despite interest from Manchester City.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United, neighbours City, Arsenal and Chelsea are all interested in CSKA Moscow's £9m-rated playmaker Milos Krasic. (Daily Mail) 
West Ham's owners have insisted they do not have to sell £10m-rated Matthew Upson in January despite the club's financial problems. (Daily Star)
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish is ready to make a £6m bid for Red Bull Salzburg striker Marc Janko. (Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin feels that manager Arsene Wenger will need to go on a spending spree to save Arsenal's season. (The Sun) 
Wenger looks set to renew his interest in Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh but the French side are adamant that the Morroco international will not be leaving in January. (Daily Star) 
Other players interesting Wenger include Andre-Pierre Gignac of Toulouse, AC Milan's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Mario Balotelli of Inter Milan and Sampdoria's Giampaolo Pazzini. (The Sun) 
Spartak Moscow's Brazilian striker Welliton could be involved in a swap deal with Tottenham forward Roman Pavlyuchenko. (Daily Mail) 
Hull want to cash in on Crystal Palace's money problems by launching a cut-price £1m move for former Newcastle and Charlton midfielder Darren Ambrose. (Daily Star) 
League Two side Notts County are targeting former England striker Francis Jeffers who is out of favour at Sheffield Wednesday. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Fears are growing that West Ham striker Carlton Cole may need an operation after a scan revealed serious knee ligament damage. (The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Derby's mascot Rammie the Ram has written a letter of apology to Reading's Brian Howard for claiming the midfielder was faking injury, when in fact he had fractured his jaw. (The Sun) 
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez believes that former United team-mate Wayne Rooney is a better player than international colleague and Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi. (Daily Mirror)
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