Gossip column: Eto'o, Vidal, Di Maria, Defoe and Tevez

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool are ready to revive their interest in Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand, 24, as manager Brendan Rodgers steps up his search for a left-back. Daily Mail 
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus, 25, and Southampton defender Dejan Lovren, 25, are among the other names Rodgers is chasing. Daily Mirror 
Everton are closing in on 21-year-old midfielder Muhamed Besic, who starred for Bosnia at the World Cup. Daily Mirror 

Tottenham are considering a bid for 29-year-old Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar, with the London club prepared to offer Lewis Holtby, 23, or Michael Dawson, 30, in exchange. Daily Mail 
West Brom are chasing Costa Rica World Cup duo Yeltsin Tejeda, 22, and Cristian Gamboa, 24. Daily Express 
Manchester City have made enquiries about the availability of 22-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Isco, who could be unsettled by James Rodriguez's big-money move. Independent 
Another Real Madrid star who could be on the move is 21-year-old defender Raphael Varane, with Chelsea monitoring his situation. Independent 
Crystal Palace are on the trail of Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, 29, who spent last season on loan at West Brom. Sun (subscription required) 
QPR boss Harry Redknapp ‎wants to strike a deal to sign former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o and the 34-year-old striker's agent is flying to London to reach an agreement. Daily Mirror 
Tottenham transfer target Davide Astori has shunned a Premier League move with the 27-year-old defender deciding to sign a three-year contract extension with Serie A side Cagliari. Daily Star 
Liverpool are hoping to hijack Manchester United's move for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, 27, by matching their £42.5m bid for the player. Metro 
Manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed Everton are close to completing a deal to sign Anderlecht striker David Henen, 18. Talksport 
AC Milan are chasing Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, 22, having already made contact with the London club over the Costa Rica international. Inside Futbol 
Louis van Gaal is facing his first transfer setback as Manchester United manager with Borussia Dortmund warning him to forget about signing 25-year-old World Cup-winning defender Mats Hummels. Daily Express 
Manchester United are being given the green light to sign Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, 26, after the European champions signed Monaco midfielder James Rodriguez . Caughtoffside.com 
Burnley have joined the race to sign striker Troy Deeney, 26, but Watford are holding out for £10m. Daily Mail 
West Ham are ready to offload Ravel Morrison because the midfielder is not in Sam Allardyce's plans. Daily Mirror 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has told goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois, 22, and Petr Cech, 32, that they will both be staying at the club - whether they like it or not. Times (subscription required) 
Arsene Wenger is ready to end his chase for a midfield anchorman and put his faith in England's Jack Wilshere, 22. Daily Mirror 
Joe Cole believes Roy Hodgson should think twice about giving the England captaincy to Wayne Rooney, 28 - and says 24-year-old Jordan Henderson is a genuine contender for the role. Sun (subscription required) 
Manchester City midfielder James Milner, 28, has put his transfer plans on hold in order to try and force his way into Manuel Pellegrini's starting line-up. Guardian 
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, 30, says it would be a "dream" if he is chosen to be Carles Puyol's successor as captain of the Spanish giants. Goal.com  
Toronto FC striker Jermain Defoe, 31, will not be making a quick return to the Premier League, despite rumoured of interest from QPR boss Harry Redknapp - who worked with the former England striker at West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham. Talksport 
Liverpool will not waste their £100m transfer kitty on buying star names who do not have the right profile for the club with boss Brendan Rodgers expecting to bring a minimum of eight new recruits to Anfield by next month. Daily Telegraph 
Carlos Tevez has dismissed reports suggesting that he threatened to leave Juventus if the 30-year-old striker's former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was to be appointed as their new manager. Sky Sports 
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, 21, has moved a step closer to leaving the Stamford Bridge club by training with former club Anderlecht. Sun (subscription only) 

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi, 23, may not be falling asleep again on the plane after an image of him with playing cards in his mouth was tweeted  by team-mate Miralem Pjanic  en route to the club's US tour.
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge  took to Instagram during the club's pre-season tour in the US to show the 24-year-old is a budding photographer.
New Tottenham coaches Miguel D'Agostino, Jesus Perez and Toni Jimenez were forced into a singing initiation and right-back Kyle Walker  subsequently posted a clip on Instagram

AND FINALLY

Former England captain Steven Gerrard was given some glowing tributes from fans around the world when he announced his retirement from international football, but the Vietnam News was clearly confused over which sport he played. Their back page heading read: 'Fans give retiring Gerrard fond farewell from cricket.' Metro 
AC Milan bring back Liverpool's Spice Boys look as they get fitted out for all-white Dolce & Gabbana suits on a pre-season US tour. Daily Mail