Sunday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal are set to make an ambitious bid to sign midfielder Cheick Tiote, 26, from Newcastle.
Michael Laudrup insists that 23-year-old winger Scott Sinclair's potential move to Manchester City is far from a done deal.
Scott Sinclair
Scott Sinclair, 23, was omitted from Swansea's win over West Ham.
Tottenham are on alert as Man United prepare to offload Nani and Anderson to offset a busy summer of spending in the transfer market.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew does not expect the club to make another bid for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, 23, before the end of the transfer window.
Arsenal and Spurs are set to renew their interest in Barcelona's Dutch international midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, but Liverpool will not be in the market for the 26-year-old having had a bid rejected several weeks ago.
Sunderland are weighing up a move for Tottenham defender Michael ­Dawson, 28, who has rejected a move to QPR.
Tottenham are set to press ahead with a move for Birmingham City's England international goalkeeper Jack Butland, 19, also thought to be interesting Liverpool and Man City.
Fulham manager Martin Jol and striker Clint Dempsey, 29, are no longer on speaking terms over the American's desire to move to Liverpool.
Blackburn Rovers are looking at Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, 30, and forward Luke Moore of Swansea, 26, after finally giving up their chase for Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes.

OTHER GOSSIP

The state of Sunderland's pitch after a series of summer pop concerts could be questioned following the postponement of their game against Reading due to heavy rain.
Former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg feels that Arsene Wenger's current squad lacks a winning mentality.

AND FINALLY

Midfielder Andrea Pirlo, 33, claims he will cut off his long hair and opt for a mohican like fellow Italian Mario Balotelli if his Juventus side win the Champions League this season.