Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle striker Demba Ba, 27, is set to complete a £7.5m move to Chelsea - the first of three new signings at Stamford Bridge.
The Magpies will pay Ba a £2m "loyalty" fee if he joins Chelsea in January.
Demba Ba
Demba Ba has scored 13 goals so far this term for Newcastle
Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole, 31, could be set for a January move to Queens Park Rangers as both clubs are set for talks.
Former Italy manager Marcello Lippi has urged AC Milan to sign Shanghai Shenhua and ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 34.
QPR will give manager Harry Redknapp £20m to sign Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila, 22, Marseille striker Loic Remy, 25, and West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame, 25.

OTHER GOSSIP

Real Madrid and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, 31, is considering a return to the Premier League.
Arsenal have given forward Theo Walcott, 23, two weeks to sign a new deal at the club.

AND FINALLY

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was struck down with the norovirus on Sunday before his side's win over QPR and was sent home while assistant boss Colin Pascoe was excluded from the dressing room at half-time for fear of passing it on.