Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are considering making a move for Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland, 31. The Norwegian's contract expires at the end of the season, but United are contemplating making a bid for the defender in January.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 62, is planning to hold fresh talks this week over Theo Walcott's contract. The 23-year-old is away on international duty but Arsenal hope to negotiate with his advisers.

OTHER GOSSIP

England left-back Ashley Cole is set to be left out of the team against San Marino on Friday as punishment for the tweet he sent criticising the Football Association.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, 22, boarded a budget airline flight from Manchester to Italy just hours after he was substituted by manager Roberto Mancini during City's victory against Sunderland on Saturday.
Brazil's Ronaldinho broke down in tears after opening the scoring in Atletico Mineiro's 6-0 victory over Figueirense. The 32-year-old's stepfather had died the day before from a heart attack and the former Barcelona and AC Milan forward dropped to one knee and cried.

AND FINALLY

Former England captain David Beckham received a hug from a female fan after the midfielder gave the woman his shirt after LA Galaxy's 2-1 defeat by Real Salt Lake.
The Daily Telegraph's football correspondent Henry Winter swam across the River Tyne before Newcastle's game against Manchester United on Sunday after losing a bet that the club's owner, Mike Ashley, would not give his long-term backing to manager Alan Pardew.