Gossip Columned – Episode 62

Gossip Columned – Episode 62

Have you heard today’s gossip?

Barcelona are close to signing 28-year-old France forward Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid after finally activating his £107m release clause. (Mirror)

Sources close to Barcelona have denied the reports that the Catalan club have deposited Griezmann’s buyout clause. (Sport)

Forward Gareth Bale, 29, trained with his Real Madrid team-mates in Canada as he continues his bid to force his way back into manager Zinedine Zidane’s plans. (Mail)

Newcastle United are set to appoint Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce as manager and are hoping he will be able to join the team on their pre-season tour of China. (Telegraph)

Newcastle are negotiating a compensation package of about £5m with Sheffield Wednesday for Bruce. (Times)

Manchester United and Manchester City have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bruno Fernandes with Sporting Lisbon reportedly closing in on a potential replacement for the 24-year-old midfielder. (Mirror)

Manchester United have begun negotiations with Roma over the sale of 26-year-old Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku. (Goal.com)

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has travelled to London to meet Manchester United to see if his club’s offer to sign Lukaku has any chance of succeeding. (Guardian)

The agent of Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has also held talks with Roma over a move for the 30-year-old Belgium international, who has a 25m (£22.5m) euro release clause. (Calciomercato)

Real Madrid’s Dominican Republic striker Mariano Diaz, 25, is not interested in a move to Arsenal this summer. (AS, via Mirror)

Paris St-Germain are set to renew their interest in Everton’s Idrissa Gueye with a £27m bid for the 29-year-old Senegal midfielder. (L’Equipe, via Sun)

Arsenal are interested in signing Real Madrid‘s Dani Ceballos on loan. The 22-year-old Spain midfielder has also been in talks with Tottenham. (Sky Sports)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is set to block Steven Gerrard’s attempt to bring Ryan Kent back to Rangers this summer. The 22-year-old winger spent last term on loan with the Scottish club. (Express)

The agent of PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn, 21, has told Bayern Munich his client – the subject of speculation regarding a move to Manchester United – is willing to bide his time over a move to Germany. (Express)

Manchester United have played down their reported interest in Southampton’s Gabon midfielder Mario Lemina, 25, who has been linked with Arsenal. (Manchester Evening News)

Bournemouth’s England forward Callum Wilson, 27 – a target for West Ham – is poised to sign a new four-year deal with the Cherries. (Talksport)

Bournemouth are prepared to let 25-year-old Scotland winger Ryan Fraser, who has been linked with Arsenal, leave on a free transfer at the end of next season rather than sell him this summer. (Express)

Former England forward Peter Crouch, 38, is undecided about whether to retire after his contract with Burnley expired this summer. (Talksport)

Newcastle target Joelinton, Hoffenheim’s 22-year-old Brazilian forward, is also wanted by Wolves. (Newcastle Chronicle)

Crystal Palace’s 26-year-old winger Wilfried Zaha, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, was not included in the pictures of the new Eagles away kit. (Express)

Preston North End have accepted an £8m bid from Premier League side Sheffield United for 24-year-old forward Callum Robinson. (Lancashire Evening Telegraph)