Thursday’s news and transfer rumour gossip.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has no intention of selling defender Jan Vertonghen, 27 – (Talksport)
Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger, 21, has dealt a blow to Chelsea’s hopes of signing him by revealing he is an Arsenal fan – (Metro)
Newcastle United’s board members say there is “no guarantee” that they will sign a striker in the January transfer window – (Newcastle Chronicle)
Former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt, now at Turkish side Fenerbahce, is a target for Southampton in the January transfer window – (Daily Star)
Lukas Podolski has hinted he may leave Arsenal. The 29-year-old German forward is frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities – (Daily Mirror)
The mystery over Diego Costa’s condition has deepened after it emerged the Chelsea striker was forced to spend time in hospital after returning from international duty with Spain – (Daily Telegraph)
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says the current side are as good as the team who won the Premier League title in 2004-05 –(Independent)
Blues manager Jose Mourinho has identified Cesc Fabregas as the player to succeed John Terry as the club’s next captain – (Daily Express)
The cost of renovating the Olympic Stadium before West Ham’s 2016 move will rise by £35.9m but the extra funding will not be paid for by either the Hammers or the taxpayer – (Daily Mail)
Manchester City will ask Uefa to reimburse their fans who lost money when they were not allowed to attend Tuesday’s match with CSKA Moscow – (The Guardian)
Celtic manager Ronny Deila has come out in support of his players’ off-field behaviour after goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska was allegedly attacked during a night out in Glasgow – (Daily Record)
Tony Pulis says he would have been interested in the Cardiff City manager’s job had he been approached but has thrown his backing behind new boss Russell Slade – (Western Mail)
Norwich striker Cameron Jerome had to be stopped from storming into the Leeds dressing room after accusing Giuseppe Bellusci of racially abusing him on Tuesday night – (Daily Star)
Pablo Zabaleta says his Manchester City side do not deserve to go through to the Champions League knockout stage after they were held to a draw by CSKA Moscow – (Daily Mirror)
European football will give England midfielder Ross Barkley, 20, a vital lesson in tactics, according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez – (Liverpool Echo)
Italy’s World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and his wife are reportedly under investigation for tax evasion – (Daily Express)
Nottingham Forest are looking for an ‘impact’ player on loan, but are still refusing to comment on Jack Grealish links – (Sky Sports)
Arturo Vidal is set to seal a move to Manchester United in January after it was revealed that he’ll be departing Juventus when the transfer window re-opens – (Metro)
Liverpool can torpedo Tottenham transfer plans for Birmingham starlet Demarai Gray – (Daily Mirror)
Jamie Carragher has defended Mario Balotelli for swapping shirts with Pepe – (Daily Star)
Angel Di Maria is expected to be fit for Manchester United’s tantalising showdown with Chelsea after picking up a niggle in the draw against West Brom – (Daily Express)
Liverpool are closing in on the signing of want-away Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain after lodging a £31.2million bid for his services – (Metro)
Sylvain Marveaux appears likely to return to Newcastle United next summer as loan employers Guincamp cannot afford him – (Sky Sports)
Manchester United could be back in for Inter Milan midfielder Fredy Guarin, after the Colombian was put up for sale by the Serie A side – (Daily Mirror)
Danny Welbeck says he thought about leaving Manchester United a YEAR before he eventually quit the club for Arsenal – (Daily Star)