Boxing Day’s news and transfer rumour roundup.
Midfielder Frank Lampard, 36, is set to give Manchester City a New Year boost by extending his loan spell at the club and delay his arrival at Major League Soccer side New York until at least mid-February – (Daily Mirror)
Ronny Deila is adamant Virgil van Dijk won’t be leaving Celtic next month — despite Sunderland and Arsenal weighing up £8million offers for the star defender – (Daily Mail)
Liverpool face competition from Arsenal in their bid to sign Manchester City midfielder James Milner, 28, on a free transfer in the summer, though the Blues are confident the England international will remain with them – (Daily Express)
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert insists England midfielder Fabian Delph, 25, Dutch World Cup star Ron Vlaar, 29, and £20m-rated striker Christian Benteke, 24, are going nowhere in the January transfer window – (Daily Star)
Jose Mourinho reckons Sam Allardyce deserves to be crowned Manager of the Year if West Ham finish in the top four – (Daily Mirror)
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has refused to rule out a sensational double swoop for Chelsea pair Fernando Torres and Petr Cech – (Metro)
However, Torres is understood to be set for a return move to boyhood club Atletico Madrid – (Sky Sports)
Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock cannot wait for January so he can do what he is so good at, wheeling and dealing in the transfer market – (Daily Express)
QPR boss Harry Redknapp insists he has no concerns over the prospect of losing Charlie Austin in the January transfer window – (Sky Sports)
Arsene Wenger has warned Chelsea and Manchester City the festive fixtures could be make or break – (Daily Star)
Arsenal have moved a step closer to signing Palermo striker Paulo Dybala after making a £31.4million bid for his services – (Metro)
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has set his sights on winning the title this season – (Daily Star)
Paris Saint-Germain are chasing Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj – (Daily Express)
Brad Jones is ignoring speculation that Liverpool will sign a top-level goalkeeper in the January transfer window and wants to earn a new contract – (Sky Sports)
Sevilla will move for Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao if Arsenal step up their interest in Carlos Bacca – (Daily Express)
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman believes stopping Crystal Palace wide-man Yannick Bolasie is key to his side maintaining their impressive record on Boxing Day – (Daily Mirror)
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, 24, has been warned by manager Brendan Rodgers that he needs to get used to life on the bench and change his style of play – (Daily Mail)
Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 21, says the club’s new generation of players would welcome Thierry Henry back at the club in a coaching capacity – (Daily Telegraph)
Alan Pardew says his Newcastle players must resurrect their season with victory at Old Trafford on Friday, despite only winning once there in the past 42 years – (Independent)
West Brom are confident defender Joleon Lescott, 32, can withstand the busy Christmas period after it was revealed he has a personally tailored training regime – (The Times – subscription required)
Liverpool will dig up the Anfield pitch next summer at the request of manager Brendan Rodgers because he believes it undermines his team’s passing game – (Daily Telegraph)
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has told Newcastle counterpart Alan Pardew and other bosses they are wasting their time ranting and raving on the touchline. The Dutchman prefers to stay seated on the bench and believes it is pointless to do otherwise – (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea chiefs have met supporters in a bid to improve the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge with designated singing sections and individuals to lead the songs among the proposals – (Daily Mail)
Gilberto Silva has revealed some of the dressing room secrets from his time at Arsenal – (Daily Star)
Sergio Aguero is set to hand Manchester City a sensational New Year boost with an early return from injury – (Daily Mirror