Gossip column: Benzema, Pogba, Benteke, Terry, Hazard, Walcott

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Manchester United are preparing to join Arsenal in the hunt to sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, 27, who is valued at around £40m. (Guardian)external-link

United boss Louis van Gaal has also placed Barcelona full-back Dani Alves, 32, on a shortlist of potential defensive recruits this summer. (Daily Telegraph)external-link

But Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 22, has ruled out a return to Old Trafford because he wants to play in Spain for either Barcelona or Real Madrid. (L'Equipe - in French)external-link

The Sun
The back page of Wednesday's Sun features a story about Manchester United targeting Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema

Prospective Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has told Real Madrid president Florentino Perez he plans to build the Spanish club's side around forward Gareth Bale, 25, if he takes over at the club.(Daily Mirror)external-link

Valencia have told Manchester United that they will have to pay at least £35m if they want to sign defender Nicolas Otamendi, 27, from the Spanish outfit.(Daily Star)external-link

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, 24, is so happy at the club he would like to stay for another decade. Hazard has won the Premier League title, League Cup and Europa League since moving to London in 2012. (London Evening Standard)external-link

Meanwhile, Chelsea captain John Terry, 34, has not ruled out following former England team-mates Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to Major League Soccer - but would prefer to finish his career at Stamford Bridge. (Talksport)external-link

Liverpool are preparing a bid for Aston Villa's 24-year-old forward Christian Benteke, but will not lodge it until after Villa have played Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday.(Times - subscription required)external-link

Title-winning former Liverpool striker John Aldridge says the club need to sign "leaders, goalscorers and big characters" - yet fears it may not happen. (Liverpool Echo)external-link

Liverpool players had packed their bags for a holiday to Dubai prior to the 6-1 thrashing at Stoke in their final game of the season. The three-day trip was arranged by the squad to mark Steven Gerrard's exit. (Daily Mail)external-link

Out-of-contract Burnley striker Danny Ings remains strongly linked with a move to Liverpool but the 22-year-old is also a target for Tottenham. (Independent)external-link

Meanwhile, Tottenham striker Harry Kane, 21, insists he has no intention of leaving a "big club" like Spurs. (Sun - subscription required)external-link

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, 26, will have contract talks with the club next week.(Daily Mirror)external-link

Southampton had a £5m bid for Jordy Clasie rejected in January and will have to pay £12.7m if they want to sign the 23-year-old midfielder from Feyenoord. (Daily Star)external-link

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said "it's going to be a very successful few years for Chelsea" when he presented the Barclays manager of the year award - won by the absent Blues boss Jose Mourinho, who was at his side's player of the year awards ceremony. (Daily Mail)external-link

Newcastle United are prepared to wait "a few weeks" before appointing a new manager - with former England boss Steve McClaren, ex-Lyon coach Remi Garde and former Swansea boss Michael Laudrup on their shortlist. (Guardian)external-link

West Ham striker Andy Carroll, 26, is keen on a move back to his boyhood club Newcastle during the summer. (Sun - subscription required)external-link

Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner will step down this summer, even if he remains as owner. (Times - subscription required)external-link

West Ham United are considering a move for Southend United's 21-year-old goalkeeper Daniel Bentley. (Daily Express)external-link

The back page of Wednesday's Times
The back page of Wednesday's Times concentrates on the future of Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner

Meanwhile, Hammers players have been ordered back early to start pre-season training on 22 June - in 26 days' time - after the club qualified for the Europa League by finishing top of the Fair Play table. (Daily Telegraph)external-link

Paraguay international defender Antolin Alcaraz, 32, will leave Everton when his contract expires this summer after two years at Goodison Park. (Liverpool Echo)external-link

Former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock says former Blades defender and current coach Chris Morgan, 37, should get the manager's job after Nigel Clough's sacking. (Sheffield Star)external-link

Sunderland expect to learn on Wednesday whether Dick Advocaat intends to remain as head coach, or if he will end his managerial career. (Sunderland Echo)external-link

Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, 30, is poised to sign a three-year deal with newly promoted Premier League side Bournemouth. (Get Reading)external-link

Meanwhile, Cherries boss Eddie Howe has revealed goalkeeper Artur Boruc, 35, turned down other offers to sign permanently for the club after a loan spell from Southampton. (Bournemouth Echo)external-link

Leicester City's chances of signing on-loan defender Robert Huth, 30, permanently have been boosted with Stoke City believed to be ready to let the former Chelsea player leave. (Leicester Mercury)external-link

Norwich keeper John Ruddy, 28, is ready to stay the the newly promoted Premier League club rather than move to Chelsea to become back-up to Thibaut Courtois. (Daily Express)external-link

Nottingham Forest hope to confirm the signing of Bolton defender Matt Mills, 28, on a two-year deal - despite the move hitting a "minor hitch". (Nottingham Post)external-link

Best of social media

Hull City midfielder Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass has managed only three senior appearances for Hull since joining from Norwich last June

Hull City midfielder Robert Snodgrass, who dislocated a kneecap in August, posted a picture of himself building up his fitness. "Let the hard work begin," the 27-year-old tweeted.external-link

Ex-Burnley defender Steven Reid, who retired at the end of the season, is backing the club to return to the Premier League following relegation. "Great night at Burnley awards. Great club which will bounce back soon I'm sure of that. Some special people there," the 34-year-old tweeted.external-link

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster, who is taking part in a charity bike ride from London to Paris next month, tweeted:external-link "Can't wait to get started! 500km. London-Paris. 18th-22nd June."

And finally

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal complained in an interview with MUTV about the size of dressing rooms in England, saying he sometimes has to "sit on the toilet" because there is no space to stand. (Manchester Evening News)external-link

Aston Villa fans have been banned from taking a huge flag into Wembley for Saturday's FA Cup final which reads: 'Never mind the Arsenal, Here's the Aston Villa.' (Birmingham Evening Mail)external-link

Arsenal trio Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker appear in a video which is a twist on Mark Morrison's 90s R&B classic Return of the Mack, designed to thank supporters for following the team throughout the season. (London Evening Standard)external-link