Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal are set to end their interest in Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha, 20, because 23-year-old Theo Walcott is on the verge of signing a new contract.
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is still interested in Shakhtar Donetsk's Willian, 24, and fellow Brazilian Leandro Damiao, 23, who plays for Internacional. Both players were linked with moves to White Hart Lane last summer.
Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs
Liverpool are close to finalising the deal that will bring Daniel Sturridge, 23, to Anfield from Chelsea for a fee of around £12million.
QPR manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he would like to see Joe Cole, 31, at Loftus Road if the right deal could be struck with Liverpool for the former West Ham and Chelsea midfielder's services.
Newcastle United will move for West Ham striker Modibo Maiga, 25, if a proposed deal for Marseilles's 25-year-old Loic Remy fails to go through.
Charlton midfielder Bradley Pritchard, 27, is being assessed by Aston Villa, Fulham and Reading.
Southampton manager Nigel Adkins is determined to keep hold of 17-year-old full-back Luke Shaw, who has attracted interest from Arsenal.
Plymouth Argyle's attacking midfielder Luke Young, 19, is being monitored by a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and West Brom.
Southampton have rejected an offer from West Ham for 30-year-old striker Rickie Lambert, who has scored eight goals in 19 appearances for the south coast club this season.

OTHER GOSSIP

Sir Alex Ferguson, 71, has hinted that his 26-year tenure in charge of Man United is far from over.
Wolves manager Stale Solbakken has admitted that his side are in a crisis following their loss away to Crystal Palace on New Year's Day, a third consecutive defeat that saw the Molineux club slip to 18th in the Championship

AND FINALLY

Former Knight Rider and Baywatch star David Hasselhoff met the Manchester City squad in the dressing room after watching the Premier League champions beat Stoke at the Etihad Stadium.