Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Borussia Dortmund's £18m-rated Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, is on his way to Manchester United this summer. The Polish hitman has been linked to the Red Devils since his star performances in the Bundesliga landed Dortmund the title in two consecutive seasons.
Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski helped Borussia Dortmund win the German title in 2010-11 and 2011-12
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is planning to beat Chelsea to the signing of Barcelona's David Villa.
But Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu, 21, says he would welcome Villa with open arms if the prolific Spain international ends up moving to Stamford Bridge during the transfer window.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to stun Real Madrid by refusing to sign a new contract, paving the way for the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain to make a move.
Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid's £48m-rated striker Radamel Falcao after he has indicated he wants to remain in Spain until the end of the season.

OTHER GOSSIP

Kevin MacDonald, who has been out of football since leaving the role of first team coach at Aston Villa last summer, has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Henning Berg at Blackburn.
Spaniard Gregorio Manzano, whose last managerial role came at Atletico Madrid before he departed the club 12 months ago, is also interested in the Blackburn job.
Phil Jagielka says influential midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 25, could struggle to win back his Everton place - after Everton won two games without the suspended Belgian.
Jemaine Pennant
Jermaine Pennant has featured in 13 league games since joining Wolves on loan from Stoke in October
Jermaine Pennant, 29, has been backed by Wolves boss Stale Solbakken to silence the jeers after fans vented their frustration at the former Liverpool winger for the club's poor form.
Adam Johnson, 25, has urged his Sunderland team-mates to use the victory over Manchester City on Wednesday as a springboard for the rest of the season.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is refusing to single out his defence for leaking 12 goals in the last two games - and insists his midfielders and strikers need to take a share of responsibility.

AND FINALLY

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has revealed "a couple of glasses of wine" proved enough to calm down Sir Alex Ferguson after the Manchester United manager claimed Robin van Persie, 29, could have been killed at the Liberty Stadium.
Sunderland supporters who persistently stand during matches have been suspended from using their season tickets.