Thursday’s news and transfer rumour gossip.
Inter Milan central defender Nemanja Vidic, 33, is on the verge of making a shock return to Manchester United – (Daily Star)
Roma’s Champions League exit could also clear the way for United to snap up long-term target Kevin Strootman, the 24-year-old Netherlands midfielder – (Independent)
Sunderland and Leicester are interested in signing Hull City defender Curtis Davies, 29 – (Daily Mail)
Chelsea winger Thorgan Hazard, 21 is open to a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge after impressing during his loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach – (Evening Standard)
Manchester United are set to compete with Real Madrid for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Christoph Kramer, 23 – (talkSPORT)
Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam, 29, is open to the possibility of a move abroad and could join up with David Moyes at Real Sociedad – (Stoke Sentinel)
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has made a cheeky offer to take Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, 28, on loan – (Sunderland Echo)
Chelsea are monitoring the progress of AFC Wimbledon’s prolific 17-year-old striker Daniel Agyei – (Daily Mirror)
Forward Raheem Sterling, 20, is set to turn down a new Liverpool deal worth £70,000 a week – (Daily Telegraph)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says the club do not know when Emmanuel Adebayor will return after the 30-year-old striker was granted leave to fly to Togo on a personal matter – (London Evening Standard)
Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with a number of other managers as they plan for life after under-fire Brendan Rodgers – (Metro)
Kyle Walker is relishing his battle with Nathaniel Clyne for the right to be called England’s first-choice right-back – (Daily Mail)
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, 25, is set to be sidelined for two weeks with a groin injury – (Guardian)
Newcastle winger Rolando Aarons, 19, returned to training on Tuesday after a month out with a hamstring injury – (Daily Star)
Newcastle’s Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez, 31, was moved to tears by the fans’ support during his battle with testicular cancer – (Daily Mirror)
Goalkeeper Joe Hart, 27, says Manchester City showed great character to defeat Roma and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League – (Manchester Evening News)
Southampton midfielder Jake Hesketh, 18, wants more Premier League action after making his debut in Sunday’s defeat by Manchester United – (Southern Daily Echo)
Besiktas manager Slaven Bilic, 46, is eyeing a move to a Premier League club – (Daily Express)
Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward, 25, is close to agreeing new contract terms with the Premier League club – (Croydon Advertiser)
Midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 23, says the Arsenal squad back manager Arsene Wenger even if the club’s supporters do not – (Daily Telegraph)
Fernando Torres is apparently set for a shock return to Chelsea in January with AC Milan ready to cut-short his loan spell at the club – (Metro)
Former Newcastle United striker Faustino Asprilla has been forced to flee his home town in Colombia after masked men entered his home seeking extortion money – (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea tighten grip on Talisca ahead of £35m January move – (Daily Star)
Zenit looking to sell Hulk, Witsel, Garay AND Garcia after Champions League elimination – (Daily Express)
Former Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle believes the club needs “a special player” if they are to take the next step and challenge for a spot in the Champions League this season – (Sky Sports)