Tuesday’s news and transfer rumour roundup.
Chelsea are lining up a summer bid for Benfica midfielder Anderson Talisca, 20 – (Daily Star)
The Blues are also interested in 20-year-old Everton midfielder Ross Barkley but have been quoted £50m by the Toffees – (Daily Express)
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, has his heart set on a return to Manchester United but any move is likely to be two years away – (Sky Sports)
Liverpool are poised to move for 32-year-old former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes, a free agent, to replace underperforming number one Simon Mignolet, 26. (Daily Express)
Belgium international Mignolet, however, says he is not worrying about his place in the Reds side – (Guardian)
England manager Roy Hodgson is set to call up Swansea winger Wayne Routledge to his squad for next month’s Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia – (Daily Star)
Sampdoria striker Manolo Gabbiadini, 22, is being watched by a number of English clubs prior to a possible summer move – (Sky Sports)
Business Secretary Vince Cable has expressed “serious concerns” about Chelsea using Twickenham, England’s home of rugby union, for a year – (Daily Telegraph)
Manchester United are exploring the option of playing lucrative midweek friendlies to fill the gap created by their lack of European football – (Daily Mail)
Manchester City keeper Joe Hart, 27, says he wants to play every game after being dropped for the last two matches in favour of Willy Caballero, 33. (Guardian)
France striker Olivier Giroud, 27, has agreed a two-year contract extension at Arsenal – (Daily Mirror)
Spain midfielder Mikel Arteta, 32, is also set to accept a new one-year deal with the Gunners, who operate a club policy of not offering players over 30 more than a year’s contract – (Daily Mail)
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has challenged striker Sergio Aguero, 26, to prove he is the best footballer in the world and win the Ballon d’Or trophy – (Daily Mail)
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill is looking into the possibility of Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who has played for the England Under-21s, playing for his side – (Daily Mirror)
England manager Roy Hodgson has told Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi he was crazy to spend £40m on defender David Luiz. – (Independent)
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has backed assistant Ryan Giggs to succeed him as manager – (Telegraph)
The Old Trafford club’s striker Robin van Persie has backed Van Gaal to turn around the club’s fortunes after a slow start to the season – (Manchester Evening News)
Manchester United legend Paul McGrath says Wayne Rooney’s status as a guaranteed starter at Old Trafford could be in jeopardy after he was sent off against West Ham on Saturday – (Talksport)
Southampton striker Graziano Pelle, 29, is targeting an Italy call-up after a strong start to the season – (Southern Daily Echo)
Hull City manager Steve Bruce says his team must not lose faith after Saturday’s defeat at Manchester City extended their winless run to five league matches – (Hull Daily Mail)
Chelsea could face a challenge from Manchester United for the signing of Everton’s Seamus Coleman – (Metro)
Manchester United forward Angel di Maria has told Argentine radio that he plans to return to his home country one day – (Sky Sports)
Juventus have reached an agreement with Paul Pogba over a contract renewal – (Inside Futbol)
Jose Mourinho says he will never quit Chelsea and will only leave the club if Roman Abramovich wields the axe – (Daily Mirror)
West Bromwich Albion have handed centre-back Craig Dawson a new three-year deal at the club – (Daily Mirror)