Saturday’s news and rumour roundup.
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, 25, has dropped a hint at making a return to Tottenham in the future – (Metro)
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has dismissed speculation linking Chelsea with a sensational move for 29-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving the path clear for Manchester United – (Metro)
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits he would happily bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford but is convinced Real Madrid will not sell – (Sky Sports)
Arsenal are sounding out Paris St-Germain’s 19-year-old midfielder Adrien Rabiot ahead of a possible January move – (Daily Mirror)
But Arsenal face competition for another of their targets, 22-year-old defender Fabian Schar from Basel, with Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund also interested – (Daily Mirror)
Liverpool look set to miss out to Inter Milan for 24-year-old winger Yevhen Konoplyanka from Dnipro – (Metro)
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Manchester City should have been docked points and stripped of their titles instead of being fined for breaching Financial Fair Play rules – (Daily Express/various)
Mourinho has left the door open for midfielder Frank Lampard, 36, to return to Chelsea in some capacity and believes his time on loan Manchester City from MLS side New York City will not harm his legacy at Stamford Bridge – (GetWestLondon)
Arsenal’s annual wage bill is understood to have moved ahead of Chelsea’s for the first time in more than a decade – (Telegraph)
Manchester United are facing the prospect of having to wear a Nike kit during next summer’s pre-season fixtures, despite agreeing a record £750m deal with Adidas from the start of the 2015-16 season. United’s current £23.5m-a-year agreement with Nike does not due to expire until 31 July 2015 – (Telegraph)
Manchester City defender Micah Richards, currently on loan at Fiorentina, says the lowest moment of his time with City was being taken off at half-time against Watford by Manuel Pellegrini. “After that, my belief was shattered,” he reveals – (The Guardian)
Steve Bruce has played down suggestions he will quit as Hull manager to succeed under-fire Alan Pardew at Newcastle – (Shields Gazette)
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert reveals he chose Roy Keane as his assistant because the Irishman was “too good to be a TV pundit” –(Birmingham Mail)
Hull midfielder David Meyler, 25, will accept Pardew’s apology for headbutting him during a Premier League game in March – (Daily Mail)
Everton defender Phil Jagielka, 32, has admitted that he may not win back his England place – (Independent)
Manchester City playmaker David Silva, 28, believes they cannot afford to lose against Chelsea this weekend – (Manchester Evening News)
Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo, 21, insists he is not worried about the competition for places despite the arrival of Danny Welbeck, 23, from Manchester United – (Daily Mail)
Swansea boss Garry Monk insists he has no issue with Southampton manager Ronald Koeman – who publicly touted for the job at the Liberty Stadium last spring – (Sky Sports)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes his side’s Europa League campaign can help them qualify for next season’s Champions League – (Daily Mirror)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez’s next job will be at Barcelona or Real Madrid, according to Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock – (Daily Mirror)
Louis van Gaal has revealed that Wayne Rooney is the only outfield player who is guaranteed to start Manchester United’s games this season – (Metro)
Louis Van Gaal also believes a lack of Champions League football this season could damage Manchester United’s title hopes – (Sky Sports)
Neil Lennon admits he would be interested in taking over at either Fulham or Cardiff City, with both Championship clubs currently looking for a new manager – (Inside Futbol)
Liverpool transfer target Dele Alli has signed a contract extension with MK Dons – (Daily Mirror)
Brendan Rodgers has urged keeper Simon Mignolet to be more aggressive as Liverpool monitor the ?tness of free agent Victor Valdes – (Daily Star)
Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has been banned for three games and hit with a Football Association fine after sending Nicolas Anelka a message on Twitter following his controversial ‘quenelle’ gesture last season – (talkSPORT)