Gossip: Allardyce, Reus, Griezmann, Barbosa, Defoe, Courtois, Van Ginkel, Ake

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Former England boss Sam Allardyce has impressed Crystal Palace's American co-owners by sending a dossier packed with stats on the club's season. The 62-year-old is the frontrunner to succeed Alan Pardew, who was sacked on Thursday. (Daily Mail), external

Borussia Dortmund and Germany forward Marco Reus, 27, and Atletico Madrid's France striker Antoine Griezmann, 25, are Arsene Wenger's preferred options to replace Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Mesut Ozil if the 28-year-olds fail to sign new contracts. (Squawka), external

Liverpool are hoping to sign 20-year-old Brazil forward Gabriel Barbosa, who has failed to settle at Inter Milan. (Mediaset, via Daily Mirror), external

West Ham are considering a £6m move to re-sign their former striker Jermain Defoe, 34, from Sunderland. (Sun) , external

Tottenham's South Korea forward Son Heung-min, 24, is wanted by Paris-St Germain. (London Evening Standard), external

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is eager to sign Colombian striker Carlos Bacca from AC Milan. The Hammers were close to signing the 30-year-old during the summer. (ESPN), external

West Brom have made an £18m bid for out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 27. (Sky Sports), external

Real Madrid see Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as their long-term number one, and are close to agreeing a deal to sign the 24-year-old Belgium international for next season. (Marca), external

Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez could move the other way - but Chelsea will not match Real's £60m valuation of the 25-year-old. (Sun), external

Another player who could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge is Netherlands midfielder Marco van Ginkel, 24, with PSV Eindhoven interested. (Omroep Brabant, Netherlands), external

Germany midfielder Julian Draxler, 23, says he is ready to leave Wolfsburg, as Liverpool consider a January move for him. (Daily Star), external

Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, 23, could miss the rest of the season after a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury. (Daily Express), external

The fitness of striker Daniel Sturridge, 27, is vital to Liverpool's attempts to maintain a Premier League title challenge, according to captain Jordan Henderson, 26. (Daily Mail), external

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is keeping an eye on 21-year-old defender Nathan Ake, who is impressing while on loan at Bournemouth. (Goal), external

Tottenham and Chelsea are interested in 18-year-old left-back Marc Cucurella, a Barcelona youth product. (Sport, Spain), external

Nigerian forward Henry Onyekuru, 19, hopes to play for Arsenal. He has scored 10 goals in 22 games for Belgian side KAS Eupen this season. (Het Niewusblad, via Goal), external

Brentford want £15m for striker Scott Hogan, 24, with Norwich, West Ham and West Brom interested in the forward. (Daily Mirror), external

Manchester City's 20-year-old French midfielder Olivier Ntcham is set to return early from his loan spell at Serie A side Genoa. (Calciomercato, via Manchester Evening News), external

Portuguese club Canelas are top of their league, but only because 12 of their 17 matches have been awarded to them, with opponents scared of facing a team containing members of FC Porto's ultras hooligan group. (Sun), external

The son of singer Sting says he is looking for the American version of Lionel Messi after becoming the co-owner of a new football club in Los Angeles. (Guardian), external

Bolivian side Bolivar missed out on their domestic title in the 100th minute of their final game - after five red cards in stoppage time.(Daily Telegraph), external