TRANSFER RUMOURS
Derby have turned down a verbal offer from Newcastle for Giles Barnes but are prepared to sell the midfielder if the price is right. (Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle also want FC Brno midfielder Lubos Kalouda but are vying with Juventus to land the player. (Times)

Everton boss David Moyes is not worried Joleon Lescott will not sign a new deal and leave after reports linking him with Arsenal and Manchester United. (Various)

Manchester City have made an audacious £5m bid for Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari. (Daily Mail)

Pompey's willingness to let Benjani go could depend on whether they manage to sign Real Mallorca's Jonas Gutierrez, who celebrates goals by putting on a Spiderman mask. (Various)

Valencia's Miguel Angel Angulo is also a target for City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson as he tries to bolster his attack. (Daily Mail)

Birmingham have won the race to sign Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill with Bolton losing out. (Daily Mirror)

Bolton could now up their bid to sign Croatia defender Marko Babic with Real Betis wanting an increase on an initial £2.2m offer. (Daily Mirror)

Villa will now try to rush through a deal for Tottenham right-back Pascal Chimbonda as Spurs look to recoup some of the £9m it will cost them to land Rangers defender Alan Hutton.

Martin O'Neill will also try to sign Leicester right-back Richard Stearman and Crystal Palace striker Sean Scannell for the Midlands club. (Daily Mirror)

Scott Brown is eyeing a Celtic exit - just six months after snubbing the Premiership for a £4.5m move to Parkhead. (Express)

Scotland squad players Christian Dailly and Neil Alexander are preparing to check in at Rangers as boss Walter Smith seeks last-minute cover. (Various)

Motherwell want to bring former full-back Steven Hammill back to Fir Park from Southend United. (Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Abou Diaby is set to sign an improved two-year extension to his deal with Arsenal. (Various)

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez says he is feeling the strain in terms of fitness after two summers without a break. (Daily Express)

Sir Alex Ferguson has other matters on his mind as the Manchester United boss wants the pitch at Old Trafford relaid. (The Sun)