Thursday’s news and rumour gossip.
Chelsea have set aside £60m to sign Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, next summer – (Daily Express)
Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Loic Remy, 27, says he cannot understand Liverpool’s decision to pull the plug on his move to Anfield this summer – (Daily Star)
Hull City’s record signing, striker Abel Hernandez, 24, says he rejected Benfica in favour of a “dream” Premier League move on deadline day – (Sky Sports)
Former Tottenham, Fulham and Wales midfielder Simon Davies, 34, has signed for Pembrokeshire-based amateur team Solva AFC. (Wales Online)
Nicolas Anelka’s agent has denied speculation that the striker, 35, could have joined Fiorentina prior to agreeing a deal with Indian side Mumbai FC until Christmas. (Sky Sports)
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been told that he is expected to finish no lower than third in the Premier League this season, with no further substantial additions to the squad after this summer’s £153.1m outlay – (Independent)
United legend Gary Neville, 39, has questioned the club’s logic in selling forward Danny Welbeck, 23, to rivals Arsenal for just £16m – (Talksport)
But young players are still the future at Manchester United despite the £16m sale of home-grown striker Danny Welbeck, 23, and 25-year-old Tom Cleverley’s loan switch to Aston Villa says assistant boss Ryan Giggs, who reiterated his desire to one day manage the club – (Manchester Evening News)
Arsenal skipper Mikel Arteta and vice captain Per Mertesacker played a key role in sealing the surprise £16m signing of England striker Welbeck from Manchester United – (Daily Star)
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, 27, has signed a new four-year contract and says: “It is still a dream come true playing for the club I love.” – (BBC Sport)
European governing body Uefa has “rewritten rules” to allow Manchester City to sidestep Financial Fair Play sanctions – (Independent)
Tottenham’s owner, 77-year-old businessman Joe Lewis, wants to sell the club for £1bn – (Daily Mirror)
BBC pundit Phil Neville, 37, has backed former Manchester United and England team-mate David Beckham, 39, to take on a senior role at the Football Association – or even make a move into politics – (Daily Mail)
Liverpool and England striker Daniel Sturridge, 25, faces a race against time to be fit for the Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday, 27 September – (Liverpool Echo)
Tottenham could make a shock move to Milton Keynes while their new stadium is built – (Daily Mail)
Lee Cattermole, 26, has invited Roy Hodgson to the Stadium of Light – as the Sunderland enforcer believes he is the man to anchor England’s midfield – (Daily Mail)
Mike Ashley is willing to listen to offers to sell Newcastle United as he looks to bring an end to a troubled seven-year reign at St James’ Park – (Daily Telegraph)
Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, 53, has two games to save his job – (Daily Express)
Magpies winger Jonas Gutierrez, 31 has a year left on his contract and wants to know what the future holds for him after being frozen out by Pardew – (Newcastle Chronicle)
New signing Danny Welbeck has pleaded with Arsene Wenger to be given an extended run at centre forward in the Arsenal team – (Times – subscription required)
Midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, has vowed to “fight for my place” in Manchester United’s strongest XI – (Guardian)
Defender Tyler Blackett, 20, is hoping to keep his place in Manchester United’s first-team squad, despite the arrivals of Marcos Rojo, 24, and Daley Blind, 24 – (Manchester Evening News)
Barcelona have confirmed that forward Luis Suarez is free to take part in the first El Clasico of the season against Real Madrid which has been scheduled for 25 October, following his four month ban for biting – (As.com)
Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso was not Bayern Munich’s first choice as the Bundesliga champions were looking to sign Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez, but the 34-year-old midfielder refused the offer – (Bild)
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says he will find the right solution for the Spanish club this year despite the loss of midfielders Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria to Bayern Munich and Manchester United respectively – (Marca)