Frank Lampard has been told that his Chelsea career is over and that he can find a new team in the January transfer window. The 34-year-old midfielder was informed of the news before scoring in Sunday's 8-0 win over Aston Villa - his 500th Premier League start.
( The Sun)
Chelsea are ready to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to sign Barcelona striker David Villa. The Blues' interim boss Rafa Benitez is planning a £12m deal for the 31-year-old who cost the Spanish giants £33m in 2010 but who has made just a handful of first-team starts in the current campaign after suffering a broken leg last season.
(Daily Mirror)
QPR boss Harry Redknapp is set to make the first move to sign Newcastle striker Demba Ba when the transfer window reopens. Club chairman Tony Fernandes is so keen to sign the 27-year-old Senegal striker that he is prepared to build a clause into any deal to allow Ba to leave for a minimal fee if he joins the Loftus Road club and they are subsequently relegated.
(Daily Mirror)
Chelsea captain John Terry will not be offered a new contract by club owner Roman Abramovich with the Russian still angry at the 32-year-old for failing to back former boss Andre Villas-Boas.
(Daily Star)
Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland, 19, is set to leave the club in January after their latest takeover talks stalled. The £6m-rated England international, who has caught the eye of Liverpool, Everton, Manchester City and Southampton, may be sold to keep the Blues from going into administration.
( The Sun)
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand faces an agonising decision on his Old Trafford future in the new year. The 34-year-old is out of contract in the summer and will have talks after Christmas with manager Sir Alex Ferguson over the possibility of an extension.
(Daily Express)
David Villa is not leaving Barcelona despite a renewed interest shown by English club Arsenal.
( Marca )
Eric Abidal's return to football is getting closer and closer but the player is not looking at leaving Barcelona. The defender admits that he has received offers from Paris Saint-Germain but says his family is happy in Barcelona.
( Marca )
A little more than two weeks after leaving Lille, goalkeeper Mickael Landreau has decided to join Bastia until the end of the season. He will be presented at the club on 31 December.
( L'Equipe )
OTHER GOSSIP
Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling says he will not be tempted to reject England after winning his first non-competitive cap last month, despite being courted by the country of his birth, Jamaica.
(Daily Mail)
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure wants to end his career at the Etihad Stadium despite the 29-year-old being linked with a move back to Spain.
(Daily Express)
Tottenham hope Emmanuel Adebayor will not be persuaded to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations.
( The Times )
Peter Odemwingie may call time on his Nigeria career after being sunbbed for the Africa Cup of Nations.
( The Times )
AND FINALLY
Mario Balotelli's brother appeared in an Italian court on Christmas Eve accused of assaulting two policemen.
(Daily Mail)
Source BBC Sport