Gossip: Toure, Messi, Berahino and more

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini says “it seems” Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is keen to move to Italy and that the San Siro club would be the 31-year-old’s preferred option. (Gazzetta TV in Italian) 

West Ham want to give 25-year-old left-back Aaron Cresswell, who joined the club on a five-year deal last summer, a new contract to fend off interest from Manchester City. (Daily Mirror) 

West Brom striker Saido Berahino, 21, renewed rumours he could join Manchester United as he was pictured at Old Trafford for their FA Cup defeat by Arsenal. (Daily Mail)  

James Milner, 29, is considering leaving Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer to play abroad, with the midfielder holding initial talks with AC Milan, Roma, Inter Milan and two clubs in Spain. (Guardian) 

Southampton have joined West Ham in being interested in Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, 26, who is on loan at Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror) 

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson, 30, says he would be interested in a move abroad when his contract at Anfield expires in the summer. (Liverpool Echo) 

The Reds have opened preliminary contract talks with 24-year-old Wales midfielder Joe Allen, who still has two years left on his current deal. (Daily Express) 

Barcelona’s sporting director Ariedo Braida has told Spanish TV channel Esport3 that “strange things” happen in football, referring to the prospect of forward Lionel Messi, 27, leaving the Nou Camp. (NBC Sports) 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has persuaded the club to break its rule of only offering players over 30 a one-year deal in order to secure defender Branislav Ivanovic, 31, on a four-year contract. (Daily Star) 

Arsenal are closing in on signing Palermo forward Paulo Dybala, 21, in a £29.5m deal. (Fichajes.net in Spanish) 

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman could lose four players in the summer, with 25-year-old midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, defenders Nathaniel Clyne, 23, and Toby Alderweireld, 26, and striker Jay Rodriguez, 25, set to leave. (Sun – subscription required) 

Swansea manager Garry Monk insists winger Nathan Dyer is part of his plans, despite leaving the 27-year-old out of the club’s past three Premier League games. (Daily Express) 

Championship promotion hopefuls Derby County and Norwich want Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes, 25, on loan for the rest of the season. (Daily Telegraph) 

But Nottingham Forest also want Scotland international Rhodes and are keen to include an option to buy him for £8m if they are promoted to the Premier League. (Sun – subscription required) 

OTHER GOSSIP

With their team replaced at the top of La Liga by Barcelona, 32.2% of Real Madrid fans would drop world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo, 30, according to a poll. (AS) 

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure says versatile midfielder Emre Can, 21, will go on to become “the king” of Anfield. (Liverpool Echo) 

But the Reds face a battle to keep midfielder Jordan Henderson, 24, according to their former goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar. (Talksport) 

Everton want 21-year-old midfielder Ross Barkley to rest during the summer and not go on international duty with the senior England side or the under-21s. (Times – subscription required) 

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, 20, could not hide his excitement at having helped Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup. “First game at Old Trafford! Nice to come away with a win. Travelling fans you were amazing! Enjoy your night,” he tweeted. 

Floating like a butterfly, stinging like a… Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, 24, has posted a video on Instagram  of him running around a boxing ring while being chased by a dog.

Meanwhile, Balotelli’s team-mate Fabio Borini was left star-struck after watching Irish band The Script perform in Manchester. The Liverpool striker, 23, wrote on Instagram:   “Unbelievable show! Thanks for the picture and thanks to the wonderful backstage staff and their awful banter! Ahaha”

AND FINALLY….

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been spotted eating pizza with Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas at west London department store Harrods. (Evening Standard) 

 

BBC Sport