Monday's Gossip column
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal are weighing up a last-minute move for 23-year-old Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. Newcastle have already agreed a fee with Montpellier for the France international.
Arsenal have been offered 26-year-old Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff on loan as the French club look to offload his £80,000 a week wages.
Wigan could move to sign defenders Sebastian Coates, 22, and Ronald Zubar, 27, from Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively on loan.
Reading are considering a £1.5m move for Birmingham defender Curtis Davies, 27.
Mario Balotelli's Manchester City future could be decided this week, with talks expected between the champions and AC Milan on Monday. The clubs are yet to agree a fee for the 22-year-old striker.
Norwich City are set to sign goalkeeper Lee Camp, 28, on a free as he is being released by Nottingham Forest.
QPR are looking into a move for Chelsea's 32-year-old French midfielder Florent Malouda.
Liverpool have been told they will have to up their offer to land Inter Milan midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 20, after they had an £8m bid rejected.
OTHER GOSSIP
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is in line to keep his place in the England squad for next month's friendly with Brazil at Wembley.
Ashley Cole, 32, has become the highest paid defender in world football after negotiating a one-year contract with Chelsea worth just under £200,000 a week.
AND FINALLY
Play was held up between Ajax and Feyenoord as snow fell onto the team dugouts via a leak in the Amsterdam Arena roof.