Tuesday’s news and transfer rumour roundup.
Eric Abidal believes former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, 27, may be tempted to leave the Nou Camp for a new challenge – with Paris St-Germain a possible destination – (TF1 – French)
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini hopes to scupper Chelsea and Manchester United’s plans to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, 23 – (Daily Star)
Arsenal are ready to make an £80m offer for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 21, as Barcelona watch Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin, 25 – (Daily Express)
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was desperate to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Germany defender Mats Hummels, 26, last summer, according to fellow Dutchman Ruud Gullit – (Manchester Evening News)
Former Celtic, Hibernian and Scotland forward Derek Riordan, 32, is set to make a comeback with Scottish League two side East Stirlingshire – (The Scotsman)
Former Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore, 25, says he was not forced out of the club in the deal that saw Jermain Defoe arrive from Toronto in the January transfer window – (Sunderland Echo)
Reports in Spain claim Liverpool want to sign Juventus striker Alvaro Morata, 22, to boost their forward options for next season – (Metro)
Newcastle manager John Carver blocked the sale of striker Papiss Cisse to Al Ahli in the United Arab Emirates two weeks ago – (Daily Mirror)
Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling, 20, says he is close to agreeing a new deal at Anfield – (Daily Star)
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has played down a visit by Lionel Messi and team-mate Gerard Pique to a casino prior to their Champions League trip to Manchester City – (Daily Mail)
Nigeria will try to persuade Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe, 19, to commit his international future to them rather than England – (Daily Express)
The use of video technology to overturn refereeing decisions during a game could move closer this weekend when the game’s rule-makers decide whether it can be used in an official match – (Daily Telegraph)
Former Everton title-winning striker Andy Gray says he thinks the Toffees could be drawn into a relegation fight – (talkSPORT)
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman says Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal puts fear into his own team – (Daily Mirror)
BBC Match of the Day pundit Kevin Kilbane made a complaint to the FA about alleged chanting from West Ham fans that mocked the disabled – (Daily Mail)
Manchester United have made Zenit ace Axel Witsel one of their top transfer targets – and are pushing for a £32.5million deal – (Metro)
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has hit back at Jose Mourinho over his comments about Ashley Barnes’ tackle on Nemanja Matic – (Daily Mirror)
Arsene Wenger was impressed with Brooklyn Beckham when he first watched him play…but Arsenal are still going to release him – (Daily Star)
Joe Allen suggests Liverpool may be a better side since Luis Suarez’s summer move to Barcelona – (Daily Express)
Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla admits he still feels guilty for not being able to say goodbye to Malaga fans properly – (Sky Sports)
Remi Garde remains interested in becoming Newcastle’s head coach next season – despite witnessing the Toon’s horror show at Manchester City first hand – (Daily Star)
In his interview with Ben Shepherd and Chris Karmara on Goals on Sunday Jose Mourinho spoke about Frank Lampard and what may have happened had he actually moved to the United States – (Metro)
Louis van Gaal was branded an “arrogant b******” by a gloating Swansea director at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday – (Daily Mirror)
Borussia Monchengladbach have signed Chelsea midfielder Thorgan Hazard on a permanent deal – (Sky Sports)
Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has confirmed that several ‘big clubs’ have been in contact to express an interest in Radamel Falcao if he doesn’t join Manchester United at the end of the season – (Daily Express)