Wednesday's Gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bayern Munich are lining up a £40m bid for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 25.
Manchester City are set to battle it out with title rivals Manchester United for Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic, 25.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez, who has scored 16 goals this season, is reportedly a £40m target for Bayern Munich
Midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 21, has dealt Liverpool a blow by telling them he wants to stay at Inter Milan.
However, Liverpool hope to agree the transfer of Coutinho on Wednesday despite the midfielder's claim that he wants to fight for his place in Italy.
Sandro's season-ending injury has forced Tottenham into making a January move for Schalke's Lewis Holtby, 22, who signed a pre-contract agreement to move to White Hart Lane in July.
Manchester City face competition from Hamburg in their pursuit of Al-Ain midfielder Omar Abdulrahman, 21.
Sunderland face a battle to sign forward Mauro Zarate, 25, after his agent revealed the player is happy to stay and fight for his place at Lazio.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is investigating a loan move for former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, 26.
Mohamed Diame, 25, is threatening to report West Ham to Fifa over fears the club are trying to renege on his £3.5m release clause.
Chelsea are going to hold talks with Belgium international keeper Thibaut Courtois over his long-term future at Stamford Bridge. The 20-year-old is currently on his second season-long loan at Atletico Madrid and has attracted interest from Barcelona.
New Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino says he will bring in players from La Liga to ensure that his "ambitious project" has every chance of success.

OTHER GOSSIP

Interim Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez says owner Roman Abramovich is happy with the progress he is making at Stamford Bridge.
Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho, 32, has been absent from the Brazil team for a year
Ronaldinho, 32, has been named in Brazil's 20-man squad for the friendly against England at Wembley on 6 February.
Tottenham announce a £4.3m loss for 2011-12 after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Al Nasr technical director Sven-Goran Eriksson says the club would "open the gate" for David Beckham, 37, if he wants to play in the United Arab Emirates.
Brighton boss Gus Poyet says he would like to manage Arsenal or Chelsea.

AND FINALLY

BBC 5 live's 606 newsletter reports that Celtic manager Neil Lennon was in a playful mood in a recent press conference. He decided to answer one journalist's mobile phone, only to be hung up on twice.