Football rumours from today's newspapers
Lukas Podolski, 26, turned down a four-year deal worth £40m from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in favour of joining Arsenal this summer.
(Daily Express)
However, the Gunners risk losing club captain Robin van Persie, 28, for nothing in 2013 as the club plan to refuse all offers for the player.
(The Telegraph)
AC Milan are plotting to reunite Carlos Tevez with Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano at the San Siro this summer.
(Daily Mirror)
Liverpool are the latest club to show an interest in Brazil defender Dede. The Vasco da Gama centre-back, 23, has been watched by Manchester United.
(Daily Mail)
Juventus are ready to rile Manchester United by making a move for FC Basel star Granit Xhaka, 19, who is wanted by the Old Trafford club.
(talkSPORT)
Swansea will have to pay £6m to sign loan star Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, on a permanent basis from German club Hoffenheim.
(Daily Mirror)
Manchester City have agreed a deal for 15-year-old Anderlecht defender Mathias Bossaerts.
(Daily Mail)
Everton are hoping to bring former Tottenham and Barnsley midfielder Emil Hallfredsson, 29, back to England but face a battle for his signature.
(talkSPORT)
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in signing 23-year-old Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
(Inside Futbol)
OTHER GOSSIP
Tottenham are set to offer Harry Redknapp a new four-year deal and £50m in transfer funds in a bid to fend off any approach from the FA over the England manager's job.
(Daily Mail)
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola will repel any attempt by Chelsea to lure him to Stamford Bridge, and plans to sign a new two-year contract in Spain.
(The Sun)
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has told talkSPORT he's not sure if Lukas Podolski has what it takes to make it at Arsenal.
(talkSPORT)
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, who enjoyed a colourful career, has dismissed Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli's on-pitch antics as "calculated" and lacking "spontaneity."
(The Sun)
David Beckham was involved in a sensational bust-up with Toronto fans on Wednesday night after he had a beer can thrown at him.
(Daily Mail)
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has brushed off speculation linking Luis Suarez with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
(The Sun)
Any hope the England squad had of their Euro 2012 base in Krakow providing rest and relaxation has been shattered by news that Poland's tourism board are advertising the town as an excellent fan-base for the tournament.
(The Guardian)
AND FINALLY
Newcastle chief Derek Llambias has admitted that the club's owner Mike Ashley still calls their home ground St James' Park - and says the fans should too.
(Daily Mirror)
High Flying Birds star and one-time Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher says Mario Balotelli is a "real rock star" and a "force of nature."
(The Independent)
A former Portuguese Division Three player is suing the evangelical church which he claims cost him the chance to play for Manchester United.
(Metro)
Belgian footballer Julien Lecomte was sent off for diving while lying on a stretcher before being taken to hospital.
(The Sun)