Football rumours from today's newspapers
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Real Madrid are ready to capitalise on the growing rift between Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson and Nemanja Vidic by bidding for the defender. Vidic was a late withdrawal for Sunday's FA Cup match against Leeds, which United lost 1-0.
(The Times)
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Chelsea have been linked with a move for Italian striker Giampaolo Pazzini for £22m but Sampdoria will only let him leave if the 25-year-old is loaned back to them for the rest of the season.
(The Mirror)
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Birmingham are set to tie up a £2.5m deal for Sporting Gijon's Spanish midfielder Michel but they have pulled out of a proposed move for Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi.
(The Mirror)
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Manchester City are in advanced discussions with Inter Milan to bring French midfielder Patrick Vieira back to the Premier League. Vieira left Arsenal for Juventus in 2005.
(The Times)
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Celtic are set to boost their Scottish Premier League title bid with a loan move for Stoke City striker Dave Kitson.
(Scottish Sun)
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Liverpool's Italian left-back Andrea Dossena will shortly sign for Napoli in a £5m switch.
(Goal.com)
OTHER GOSSIP
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to axe seven players for Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final with bitter rivals Manchester City following his side's humiliating defeat by Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup. Striker Dimitar Berbatov and right-back Gary Neville head the list of those for the chop.
(The Sun)
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Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has been offered a quick return to management - with the Turkish national team.
(The Mirror)
AND FINALLY...
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An unlikely figure has offered to help Michael Owen in the Manchester United striker's bid to claim a place in Fabio Capello's 2010 World Cup squad. Former England cricket captain and United fan Geoff Boycott has written to Owen suggesting he try the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui after the Test Match Special commentator utilised it during his recovery from cancer.
(The Sun)