Gossip column: World Cup, Wilshere, Rooney, Vela, Jovetic

Gossip logo

For a list of confirmed transfers, check out the transfers page.

Visit our manager ins and outs page for a list of all the current bosses in the top five leagues in England and the Scottish Premiership.

WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Former England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce says Arsenal's Jack Wilshere, 22, is short of form and confidence and will not play any part at the World Cup. Talksportexternal-link

Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has yet to score in 18 appearances for England

The 2014 World Cup is made for Wayne Rooney, according to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who thinks England could win the trophy if they survive a difficult group. Sun (subscription)external-link

A successful World Cup for Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo will propel his earnings even beyond those of ex-England captain and global icon David Beckham. Daily Telegraphexternal-link

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has refused to be drawn on England manager Roy Hodgson's future after the World Cup, but said that emerging from a difficult group would be considered a success. Guardianexternal-link

England would be wise to move for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers or Everton's Roberto Martinez as successor to Hodgson, according to Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp. Talksportexternal-link

England practised penalties at the end of training to prepare for a shootout in the knockout stages, although they did so without a goalkeeper between the posts - and some players still missed. Times (subscription)external-link

England could deploy Liverpool's Raheem Sterling in a number 10 role when they face Italy in Manaus in their World Cup opener on Saturday.Daily Mirrorexternal-link

Brazil legend Pele says Portugal's Ronaldo will find it harder to succeed at the World Cup than Lionel Messi because the 26-year-old Argentine forward is surrounded by better players.Marca (in Spanish)external-link

Atletico Madrid's 22-year-old midfielder Koke has a major role to play in Spain's defence of their World Cup crown.AS (in Spanish)external-link

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle are open to offers for Italian defender Davide Santon, 23, with boss Alan Pardew set to make 21-year-old Massadio Haidara his first choice left-back. Newcastle Journalexternal-link

Newcastle defender Davide Santon
Davide Santon made 40 appearances in Serie A for Inter Milan before he joined Newcastle in 2011

Arsenal are very interested in 27-year-old Colombia striker Jackson Martinez, who will cost the Gunners £30m from Porto. Talksportexternal-link

Liverpool are set to allow midfielders Suso, 20, and Luis Alberto, 21, to leave Anfield this summer along with 20-year-old striker Samed Yesil. Liverpool Echoexternal-link

West Ham are believed to be pursuing a move for Micah Richards, with the 25-year-old defender poised to reject a new contract at Manchester City. Metroexternal-link

Inter Milan are ready to test Manchester City's resolve to keep striker Stevan Jovetic, just a year after the Premier League champions bought the 24-year-old from Fiorentina for £22m. Daily Mirrorexternal-link

But City boss Manuel Pellegrini is understood to be keen to hang on to Montenegro striker Jovetic despite a difficult debut season at the Etihad. Daily Starexternal-link

Everton will make an offer of £2.5m for 21-year-old Heerenveen midfielder Hakim Ziyech as they look to beat off interest from Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. Daily Mirrorexternal-link

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has identified Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez, 25, as a £20m transfer target. Guardianexternal-link

Arsenal will welcome striker Carlos Vela back to the Emirates next season as Real Sociedad's president confirmed the Gunners have expressed their desire to take up a £3.2m buy-back clause on the 25-year-old Mexican. Daily Expressexternal-link

Tottenham and Liverpool are tracking Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Karl Darlow, 23. Daily Mailexternal-link

Liverpool's attempt to sign 21-year-old left-back Alberto Moreno from Seville for £16.2m has reached a halt because the La Liga side have reportedly demanded the bulk of the transfer fee up front. Independentexternal-link

Hull City boss Steve Bruce is closing in on a double swoop for winger Thomas Ince, 22, and centre-back Joleon Lescott, 31, who are out of contract with Blackpool and Manchester City respectively. Daily Mailexternal-link

OTHER GOSSIP

West Brom are poised to offer former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood the head coach's job at The Hawthorns. Express & Starexternal-link

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood
Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood won 14 of his 28 games in charge at White Hart Lane

New Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to build his team around 30-year-old Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor. London Evening Standardexternal-link

Southampton are closing in on appointing a new manager following Pochettino's exit to Tottenham, according to the club's executive director Les Reed. FourFourTwoexternal-link

Hull City boss Steve Bruce is the Saints' number-one target to fill their vacant manager's role. Daily Mirrorexternal-link

Spain striker Fernando Torres, 30, had been told he still has a future at Chelsea despite the arrival of 25-year-old forward Diego Costa for £32m from Atletico Madrid. Sunexternal-link

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni, 35, is poised to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park to end speculation over his future.Sky Sportsexternal-link

Leeds United must pay £400,000 in compensation to Reading if they want to land Eamonn Dolan as boss.Daily Starexternal-link

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

The chances of Liverpool and Manchester City signing out-of-contract Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 32, have improved after Monaco backed out of a deal. L'Equipe (in French)external-link

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes
Goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been capped 20 times by Spain

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is certain that 26-year-old attacking midfielder Angel Di Maria will stay at the club for another season. Marca (in Spanish)external-link

Atletico Madrid have not given up hope of signing Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The 22-year-old Belgium international has been on loan with Atletico from Chelsea since 2011. AS (in Spanish)external-link

Roma have rejected a £28m offer from Bayern Munich for Morocco defender Mehdi Benatia, 27, who is also a target for both Manchester clubs. Bild (in German)external-link

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are in the hunt for 26-year-old Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna. Tuttosport (in Italian)external-link

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could make a summer move for Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier, 23, and Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, 24. L'Equipe (in French)external-link

AND FINALLY

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie may want to stay away from the beach after being hit by a stray kite surfer while strolling on the Rio waterfront on Monday. Metroexternal-link

German scientists have predicted the outcome of every single match at the World Cup and revealed that their country will reach the final - but lose to Spain. Daily Mirrorexternal-link

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has asked his followers to bewitch Germany's Miroslav Klose, so he doesn't break his World Cup record of 15 goals. Bild (in German)external-link

You can comment on the latest gossip on the BBC Sport Facebook page.external-link