Gossip column: De Gea, Ochoa, Cech, Januzaj, Martinez, Rakitic

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid are prepared to smash the goalkeeping transfer record to sign Manchester United's David De Gea, 24, with a fee that is likely to eclipse the £33m paid for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.
 
Crystal Palace are planning a move to sign Roma's former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole on loan.


Manchester United and Manchester City are both ready to launch £20m bids for Barcelona's 26-year-old midfielder Ivan Rakitic in January.
 
Liverpool are making an audacious bid to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech on loan.


Newly appointed Real Sociedad boss David Moyes hopes to agree a loan deal with former club Manchester United for forward Adnan Januzaj, 19.
 
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is planning to strengthen his attack in January with a move for 22-year-old Burnley striker Danny Ings.


Tottenham are considering offloading strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado to fund a move for Porto's Jackson Martinez, 28.
 
Burnley and Leicester are eyeing unsettled £5m-rated Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle, 24.


Liverpool have agreed a £3m deal to sign 29-year-old Malaga goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
 

OTHER GOSSIP

West Ham are planning to sack manager Sam Allardyce despite him has guiding the Hammers to fourth place in the Premier League.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes Chelsea have the "talent, discipline and courage" to win four trophies this season.


Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was named coach of the year at Dutch Sports Gala as Robin van Persie picked up award for his stunning World Cup header against Spain.
 
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has been criticised by his former AC Milan team-mate Adel Taarabat.



Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says his cup record at the club has been an "embarrassment" that needs changing.
 
Manchester United defender Phil Jones has defended his injury record, even though Sunday's win over Liverpool was only his fifth club appearances this season.

Manchester City will host the first game in their new Academy stadium in Thursday night's FA Youth Cup tie against Oxford United.

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

"Watched every single Thierry Henry goal for Arsenal about 100 times and still get goosebumps," tweeted  Southampton defender Jack Stephens after the Frenchman retired from football. "What a player he was!"

AND FINALLY...

Celtic have shown their thoughtful side ahead of Christmas by offering unemployed fans free tickets to watch the team take on Ross County.