Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours
For updated transfer news and gossip throughout the day, read our breaking news service Sportsday Live.
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Raheem Sterling's advisors have been angered by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers's comments that the 17-year-old winger would be "very foolish" not to sign a new contract with the Reds.
And Manchester City are keeping a close eye on Sterling's contract negotiations.
Everton manager David Moyes has admitted he would welcome the chance to re-sign Joleon Lescott, 30, if the defender feels he needs to seek a loan move from Manchester City.
Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna, 24, says he does not want to leave Turin for Manchester United despite impressing scouts from Old Trafford.
Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their scouting interest in highly-rated Anderlecht midfielder Dennis Praet, 18, who has made just eight starts for the club.
Newcastle and Wigan are hot on the trail of Netherlands wingerJeremain Lens, 24, who could leave PSV Eindhoven for £10m in January.
Fulham, West Ham and West Brom are believed to be interested in former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, 33, who may leave Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer in January.
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe says he would welcome David Beckham, 37, at White Hart Lane if the former England captain's talks with Monaco fail to bring about a move.
OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Wayne Rooney to rediscover his goalscoring form after one of the 27-year-old striker's worst starts to a season.
Interim manager Rafael Benitez has expressed concern to the Chelsea hierarchy that their first-team squad is critically thin on numbers and has been rendered more fragile by a cluttered fixture schedule which is damaging the players' fitness levels.
Manchester United defender Phil Jones, 19, has bemoaned his luck at returning to fitness at the same time as his rivals for a first-team spot.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says the players must share the goals around after scoring 18 goals in 14 games with more than half from striker Luis Suarez.
Manchester City have no intention of signing any Barcelona players despite recently recruiting former Barca chief executive Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain.
AND FINALLY
Cash-strapped Greek side Panathinaikos have been told to play only during the day after failing to pay their electricity bill to power their floodlights.