Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

AC Milan have intensified their efforts to beat Chelsea and Manchester City to sign Pep Guardiola as their next manager.
Pep Guardiola could be heading to AC Milan.
Liverpool have approached Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala over a deal to sign striker Lacina Traore, 22.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Southampton are battling it out to sign Domenico Berardi, an 18-year-old striker with Italian club Sassuolo.
Juventus are ready to move for Udinese's Morocco defender Mehdi Benatia, 25, who has recently been a target for Manchester United and Tottenham, in January.

OTHER GOSSIP

Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, has urged Liverpool's Steven Gerrard to move to a big club before it's too late.
Steven Gerrard has been told to move to a big club by Zlatan Ibrahamovic.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering ditching his favoured 'back four' formation to tighten up the team's defence.
The Premier League TV rights deal is set to top £5 billion for the first time.
Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov, 27, insists his side are still the best team in England.
Former France defender Willy Sagnol believes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will battle it out for the Ballon d'Or.
Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has received a fitness boost following a knee injury and could face Fulham on Saturday.
Tottenham are set to be without three key players for the North London derby.

AND FINALLY

Argentina star Lionel Messi was handed a shock when a soldier's gun was inadvertedly pointed at him when he was escorted through a Saudi Arabia airport.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard says some Everton players were keener than others to strip off and pose for their charity calendar.