Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City's new sporting director Txiki Begiristain is urging his club to make Arsenal's Theo Walcott, 23, a priority target.
Brighton winger Will Buckley
Will Buckley has scored five goals for Brighton this season
Martin Jol has moved to reinforce Fulham's defence by agreeing a cut-price £800,000 deal for Standard Liege's Turkey 'keeper Sinan Bolat, 24.
Southampton boss Nigel Adkins is lining up a January move for Brighton winger Will Buckley, 24.
On-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, 19, says he wants to stay at West Bromwich Albion at least until the end of the season.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert wants to sign Welsh striker Steve Morison, 29, from his former club Norwich.
Everton are keen to bring Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair, 23, to Goodison Park on a loan deal when the transfer window opens in January.
Tottenham will offer American goalkeeper Brad Friedel, 41, a new contract to stop him moving to Blackburn Rovers.
Celtic will battle with Premier League duo West Ham United and Norwich City to sign Kilmarnock's 22-year-old midfielder Liam Kelly.

OTHER GOSSIP

Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 29, has agreed a new deal at the Bundesliga club, ending speculation he could join Arsenal in January.
Reading's Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, 29, looks set for talks with the club's owners to discuss his future.
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill believes his side are still in the Premier League's title race after beating Aston Villa 8-0.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is ready to offer his captain Steven Gerrard, 32, a new contract.
Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol says England winger Stewart Downing, 28, is not good to enough for Liverpool despite scoring his first goal for the club against Fulham.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has banned full-contact training at West Ham over Christmas to try and avoid any more injuries at the club.

AND FINALLY

Sir Alex Ferguson has joked that he may have to reprimand his scouts after they failed to recommend Swansea striker Michu, 26, before he joined the Welsh club.
There was embarrassment for a Southampton fan dressed as Santa as his pants split during a half time relay at St Mary's.