Transfer Gossip
Real Madrid will look to re-sign Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, 27, if they sell 24-year-old James Rodriguez. (Don Balon – in Spanish)
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is under pressure to stay in Germany and reject a job at Manchester City or Manchester United – from his wife. (Sunday Mirror)
But former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has been sounded out by the German giants who are preparing for life after Guardiola. (Sunday Express)
The Mail on Sunday lead on the FA’s plans to give England boss Roy Hodgson a new contract, while showing Bournemouth’s Joshua King celebrating his winner against Manchester United
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, 32, will be offered a £24m deal to leave Manchester for Chinese side Shanghai SIPG. (Sun on Sunday)
However, City are watching PSV Eindhoven’s highly-rated Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Pereiro, 20. (Manchester Evening News)
Arsenal will fight north London rivals Tottenham for Marseille’s 22-year-old Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi. (Sunday Telegraph)
Corinthians’ 26-year-old Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, on loan at Sao Paulo, says he would be happy to play in the Premier League. (Mail on Sunday)
Leicester striker and Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy, 28, has the “street fighter” attitude of a South American footballer, says ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry. (Sun on Sunday)
World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, 75, has been diagnosed with kidney cancer and is having chemotherapy. (Mirror)
Liverpool legend John Aldridge has told £29m Brazil forward Roberto Firmino, 24, to toughen up if he wants to win over Reds fans. (Sunday Express)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is monitoring Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, as he sees the 20 year old as a potential replacement should John Stones, 21, leave the club. (Sunday People)
Liverpool’s French defender Mamadou Sakho, 25, could return to the first team next weekend after resuming full training following five weeks out. (Liverpool Echo)
Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez says he will not talk about the personal problems that affected 30-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s form earlier in the season, adding: “Now that he is scoring I’m calm because that will give him more confidence and help him to score even more.” (Daily Mirror)
The Sunday Express say England boss Roy Hodgson is plotting how to stop Wales’ Gareth Bale after the nations were drawn in the same Euro 2016 group.
The Football Association’s chief executive Martin Glenn does not want England’s training camp at Euro 2016 in France to be sealed from outsiders. (Sunday Telegraph)
“Football in England is beautiful thanks to Jean-Marc Bosman,” said…Jean-Marc Bosman, 20 years after the Belgian midfielder won a landmark case at the European Court of Justice allowing out-of-contract players to leave clubs.(Observer)
Manchester United have watched Paris St-Germain’s 17-year-old striker Odsonne Edouard and are ready to move if he rejects a new contract with the French champions.(Clubcall)
New Valencia boss Gary Neville says he has eaten paella every day since taking charge of the Spanish club. (Sunday Mirror)
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, 34, says his former club could still win the Premier League this season. Cole, now at Coventry, said: “That team could beat everyone from now until the end of the season.” (Sky Sports)
Best of social media – Euro 2016 draw
Wales and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey was excited after his country was drawn in the same Euro 2016 group as England. He said: “All getting very real now. Can’t wait to face England.”
Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty was similarly thrilled by the prospect of next summer after Michael O’Neill’s side were grouped with Germany, Poland and Ukraine. “What a test for us to show everyone how far our wee country has come,” he said.
Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane said:”Who’s looking forward to the summer already?”
Republic of Ireland were drawn with Italy, Belgium and Sweden, and keeper Shay Given said: “Tough draw for us but still very excited about next summer, bring it on.”
Best of social media – Premier League
Adam Smith (left) celebrated beating Manchester United with Bournemouth team-mates Callum Wilson (centre) and Junior Stanislas (right)
After Bournemouth beat Manchester United 2-1, Cherries defender Adam Smith said: “What a result against United today. Lads were unreal.”
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea responded to the loss by saying: “A painful defeat and a disappointing situation, there’s no excuse. We are Manchester United and we’ll fight back.”
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany was relieved by his side’s win over Swansea. He said: “Left it late but we did it again, congrats to the lads. Vital three points.”
Kompany’s team-mate Yaye Toure added: “We will fight until the end. Always!! Great to get the win today!!”
Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie was happy after his side’s 1-0 win over Southampton ensured they stayed sixth in the Premier League. He said: “Great win, fantastic atmosphere, well done lads.”
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku scored for the seventh successive game but his side were unable to win after dominating the first half. He said: “Difficult to accept but we need to keep on working to turn draws into wins.”
Watford’s players could enjoy the long coach journey home after a 1-0 win at Sunderland
Watford striker Troy Deeney was happy with a 1-0 win at Sunderland. He said: “Wasn’t bad for a ‘very beatable team’. Not a great performance but we got the job done.”
After drawing 0-0 at West Ham, Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland said: “My first and last game at the Boleyn, great atmosphere and in the end an important result.”
And finally
Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew headed for the White Horse Pub in Selhurst Road, Croydon, on Saturday to celebrate his side’s win over Southampton. (Croydon Advertiser)
Stoke City striker Marko Arnautovic rang the club in a panic when he discovered a spider in his bath. (Sun on Sunday)
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was Mr Incredible and defender Robert Huth Batman as Leicester City’s players wore fancy dress for their Christmas party in Danish capital Copenhagen. (Sunday Mirror)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is renting former boss Brendan Rodgers’ old home on Merseyside from him. The house was previously owned by ex-Reds skipper Steven G[jaY nash)
