Friday’s news and transfer rumour gossip.
Steven Gerrard, who is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, is wanted by LA Galaxy and two other MLS teams – (Daily Mirror)
Gerrard’s exact destination has yet to be confirmed, but the 34-year-old midfielder is likely to head to the US – (Liverpool Echo)
The prospect of being a substitute for much of next season has persuaded Gerrard to leave Liverpool at the end of the season and move abroad to a new club – (Daily Express)
The situation over Gerrard’s future has become awkward and Liverpool hope that by announcing his departure it will enable the club to focus on the rest of the season without it hanging over them – (Independent)
Former Liverpool and England striker Peter Crouch, 33, says Gerrard is “easily the best player I have played with” – (Liverpool Echo)
Manchester United have earmarked Juventus’ former United midfielder Paul Pogba, 21, as their main transfer target after being snubbed by Real Madrid’s forward pair Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, and Gareth Bale, 25 – (Daily Star)
Liverpool are leading the chase to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, 23, after making a permanent offer, while their rivals for the Switzerland star’s signature, Inter Milan and Juventus, have only offered loan deals – (Metro)
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits that he wants Yaya Sanogo, 21, to join a Premier League club on loan, with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace or Sunderland the most likely destination – (Daily Star)
Spanish champions Atletico Madrid claim they have turned down an offer from Manchester City for 19-year-old defender Jose Gimenez – (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United are set to make striker Radamel Falcao’s loan deal from Monaco permanent within the coming days after becoming satisfied that the 28-year-old Colombia star is “fully up to scratch physically” – (Metro)
Tottenham are interested in signing Everton midfielder James McCarthy. The 24-year-old cost the Toffees £13m when he joined them in September 2013 – (Daily Mail)
Midfielder Frank Lampard, 36, could stay at Manchester City beyond the end of this season, says the club’s manager Manuel Pellegrini – (Guardian)
Birmingham City aim to keep hold of 18-year-old winger Demarai Gray after rejecting a £1.5m bid from Championship leaders Bournemouth – (Birmingham Mail)
Central defender Martin Demichelis, 34, will be offered a new one-year deal with Manchester City to keep him at the club until the summer of 2016 – (Manchester Evening News)
Didier Drogba is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season as Chelsea close in on the signing of Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric, with the 36-year-old striker set to take up a coaching role under Jose Mourinho instead – (Daily Express)
Ryan Bertrand, 25, is ready to sign a permanent deal at Southampton when his season-long loan from Chelsea comes to an end – (Setanta.com)
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho may face a ban from the Football Association after he criticised the fitness of referee Phil Dowd following the Blues’ 5-3 defeat by Tottenham on Thursday – (Times, subscription required)
Mourinho also says that attacking midfielder Eden Hazard, 23, needs to be protected by referees or the Belgium international will leave the Premier League – (Daily Telegraph)
Ashley Young could be set to spend several weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Stoke – (ESPN)
Derby boss Steve McClaren has dismissed speculation linking him with the vacant Newcastle United manager’s job – (Newcastle Chronicle)
Manchester United’s hopes of signing Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman have been dented after the Dutchman revealed his admiration for La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid – (Metro)
John Carver admitted his audition to succeed Alan Pardew as Newcastle manager ended in “disappointment” – (Daily Mirror)
Fabricio Coloccini insists he doesn’t want the Newcastle job – (Daily Star)
Manchester United expect to have Angel Di Maria back in training this week – (Daily Express)
Hull boss Steve Bruce has admitted that he is interested in signing former England striker Jermain Defoe in January – (Sky Sports)