Tuesday's gossip column

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is worried he has lost the initiative in the race to sign Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, 28.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

And Mancini is furious with City's bosses as Van Persie looks set to slip away from him.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external

Juventus are edging ahead in the race for Van Persie as they prepare a £20m bid to tempt him away from the Emirates Stadium.

Full story: Daily Telegraph, external

Serie A giants AC Milan have opened talks with Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner over a deal to bring the Dane to Italy.

Full story: Metro, external

Spain winger Santi Cazorla, 27, has told Arsenal he is ready to join them from Malaga.

Full story: the Guardian, external

Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman has given Aston Villa a week to sort out a deal to buy defender Ron Vlaar, 27.

Full story: Express and Star, external

Manchester United are chasing River Plate's Argentine midfielder Ezequiel Cirigliano, 20, who Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain both want to take on trial.

Full story: Daily Mirror , external

Departing United striker Dimitar Berbatov, 31, could be on his way to Russia after Zenit St Petersburg declared their interest.

Full story: talkSPORT, external

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he considered bringing Didier Drogba to Old Trafford during the summer after the striker, 34, left Chelsea.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external

Bayern Munich are set to make a move for Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong, 27, after the German side's interest in Spain international Javi Martinez cooled.

Full story: talkSPORT , external

Tottenham have joined Newcastle and Swansea in the race for former Liverpool and out-of-favour Hoffenheim winger Ryan Babel, 25.

Full story: talkSPORT, external

Fulham are also apparently considering a bid for Dutchman Babel.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Liverpool are set to bid £10m for Swansea forward Joe Allen, 22.

Full story: Metro, external

Andy Carroll has told Liverpool they will not force him to leave Anfield.

Full story: Daily Star, external

Zenit St Petersburg have joined the race to sign Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, 27, with Manchester City and Napoli also interested.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Nottingham Forest want to bring Jermaine Jenas, 29, back to the City Ground as they look to land the Tottenham midfielder.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external

Luka Modric has apologised to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy for initially refusing to fly out on the club's US tour.

Full story: the Sun, external

Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere, 20, could be back in action by the end of next month after a year out with ankle and knee problems.

Full story: the Independent, external

Scott Parker is set to miss England's friendly with Italy next month as the Tottenham midfielder prepares for surgery that will also mean he is absent for the Premier League kick-off.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external

Anders Lindegaard has warned David de Gea that he intends to be Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper this coming season.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Defender Tal Ben Haim's pay dispute with Portsmouth has taken a twist after he told administrators to cut their fees to keep the club in business.

Full story: Daily Mail, external

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor will only be out for a fortnight after being carried off on a stretcher during Saturday's 1-0 win over Chicago Fire.

Full story: Birmingham Mail, external

Brazil's party-loving players are to stay away from London's Olympic Park to avoid temptation.

Full story: Metro, external

Sports fans at a photo booth near the Olympic Park got the surprise of their lives... when David Beckham dropped in on their snapshots.

Full story: Daily Mirror, external