BREAKING GOSSIP
Real Madrid will continue their efforts to unsettle Ronaldo in a bid to prise him away from Manchester United amid claims that the transfer has entered its "final stages" and could be completed in August. (Spanish newspaper Marca, 1454 BST).

Milan have issued a statement declaring that "Kaka is absolutely not for sale" amid reports he is set to join Chelsea for around £80m. (AC Milan official website, 1416 BST)

Pascal Chimbonda has been in Sunderland for talks with manager Roy Keane and has admitted he would be interested in moving to the Stadium of Light from Tottenham. (Press Association, 1226 BST)

Inter Milan will make a move for Liverpool's Xabi Alonso if they fail in their bid to prise Frank Lampard away from Chelsea. (Channel 4 Football Italia, 1103 BST)


TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea are set to sign AC Milan's world player-of-the- year Kaka for a world-record fee of €100m (£79.2m). (The Guardian)

New Chelsea midfielder Deco has pleaded with Frank Lampard to stay at the club to help them win the Champions League. (Various)

606: DEBATE
Who do you want your club to sign this summer?
But Lampard appears to be on his way to Inter Milan after the Italian side revealed they have agreed terms with the England midfielder. (Various)

Didier Drogba also appears to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge after Barcelona made an enquiry for the striker. (Daily Star)

Sunderland have had a £23m bid for Younes Kaboul, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio accepted by Tottenham. (Various)

However, the deal could be jeopardised after Kaboul's agent said his client would not join Sunderland "even if there was an earthquake". (Various)

Chimbonda also looks set to snub the Black Cats in favour of a move to either Newcastle or Everton. (Daily Mail)

Gareth Barry has reaffirmed his desire to quit Aston Villa and join Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa expect to sign Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel next week as Rovers boss Paul Ince faces a tough task keeping hold of his players. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough have received a bid from Wigan for midfielder Lee Cattermole. (The Guardian)

The Latics are also close to completing the signing of Egyptian striker Amr Zaki on a one-year loan deal after he passed a medical. (Various)

West Ham are closing in on the signing of Switzerland right-back Valon Behrami for £5m from Lazio. (The Independent)

Premier League new boys Hull have tabled a bid for Wigan striker Marlon King. (The Sun)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he needs to sell players in order to buy new ones. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea and Manchester United have renewed their interest in Falkirk midfielder Scott Arfield. (Daily Record)

Auxerre defender Gabriel Tamas has rejected Celtic's £14,000 per week salary offer as more talks are expected over the weekend. (The Sun)

Celtic target Vitorino Antunes has opted to move to Lecce from Roma on loan. (Daily Express)

Veteran Celtic defender Steven Pressley has joined Doncaster on trial. (Daily Express)

Celtic have taken 17-year-old Lecce goalkeeper Daniele Giordano on trial. (Daily Express)

Kaiserslautern are poised to make a big-money offer for Inverness striker Marius Niculae. (Various)

Motherwell will step up their bid for Celtic defender John Kennedy on loan after losing Brian McLean to long-term injury. (The Sun)

But Motherwell face competition from Norwich City for John Kennedy's services.

QPR manager Iain Dowie is expected to complete the signing of Ben Watson from Crystal Palace for £1.75m. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield United have accepted a £2m bid from Derby for striker Rob Hulse. (The Sun)

Andy Dorman's agent says clubs from England and Scotland are interested in the St Mirren midfielder. (The Herald)


Back to top

OTHER GOSSIP
Arsene Wenger has blamed Arsenal's lack of silverware last season on pure bad luck. (The Sun)

The Arsenal manager has also said that he will not "kill" the club's young players by bringing big names to the club. (Various)

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright will face disillusioned shareholders after they called an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the club's future. (Daily Express)

Rangers manager Walter Smith says he cannot afford to pay the wages required to sign top players this summer. (Various)


AND FINALLY
A Sven-Goran Eriksson impersonator, Derek Williams, fooled the coach of Mexican club Pumas by pretending to be the Swede, who is now charge of the Mexican national team. (Daily Telegraph)