Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, 31, is to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after rejecting a contract extension.
Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole joined Chelsea from Arsenal in 2006
Tottenham left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 28, has emerged as a shock January transfer target for Chelsea, with Ashley Cole looking for a route out of Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham are scouting Feyenoord's Dutch midfielder Jordy Clasie, 21, who is also being watched by Juventus and Roma.
Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, is flattered by interest from Manchester United and Chelsea but will not be joining either of them during the January transfer window.
Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are plotting a sensational move for Manchester United's 30-year-old captain Nemanja Vidic.
Genoa and Sweden defender Andreas Granqvist, 27, has revealed he would be keen on a transfer to Liverpool, after being linked with a January move to Anfield.

OTHER GOSSIP

Wigan number two Graeme Jones is the shock target to become Burnley's new manager.
Drug cartels in South America and Europe are recruiting ex-footballers in the UK to ply their trade here.

AND FINALLY

Rangers chief executive Charles Green has apologised to Aston Villa following his recent derogatory remarks about the Premier League club.