Gossip column: Ronaldo, Mourinho, Lambert, Gouffran

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Daily Express
Saturday's Daily Express back page

Manchester United are confident Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo would choose them over Chelsea if he returns to the Premier League. The Red Devils have been alerted by reports that Stamford Bridge owner Roman Abramovich has made Ronaldo, 30, his top target for next summer. (The Sun)external-link

Jose Mourinho could return to Real Madrid if he is sacked by Chelsea, the Spanish club's former club president Ramon Calderon has said. (Talksport)external-link

Former Real Madrid playmaker Zinedine Zidane, who now coaches the club's reserve side Castilla, says Chelsea's Eden Hazard is his favourite player after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as speculation over the Belgium international's future continues. (Daily Mirror)external-link

Manchester United have made an approach for Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli, 25, with the player eligible to sign a pre-contact agreement with the club in January. (Metro)external-link

Marseille value 22-year-old Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi, a transfer target for Arsenal and Chelsea, at £35m. (Talksport)external-link

Bournemouth have been alerted to the possibility of a loan move for former Manchester City and Southampton forward Bradley Wright-Phillips, 30, who has scored 18 goals for the New York Red Bulls in the MLS. (Daily Mirror)external-link

West Ham and Watford are tracking Roma's Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumba, 27, who has scored eight goals on loan at CSKA Moscow and could cost around £8m. (The Sun)external-link

Blackburn are aiming to name Paul Lambert as their new manager by the end of the weekend after negotiations with the former Aston Villa and Norwich boss. (Lancashire Telegraph)external-link

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, 25, currently on loan at Roma, will not decide over his long-term future at the Emirates until after next summer's European Championship. (London Evening Standard)external-link

Charlton and Wolves are among the Championship clubs showing interest in Newcastle forward Yoan Gouffran, 29, who has made only one league appearance this term. (Newcastle Chronicle)external-link

Best of social media

Andy Carroll on holiday in Dubai
Andy Carroll and Winston Reid on holiday in Dubai

West Ham striker Andy Carroll posted an Instagram pictureexternal-link as he and team-mate Winston Reid displayed their club loyalty at aptly named Dubai restaurant Aprons and Hammers.

Bognor Regis Town of the Ryman Premier League, have used their Facebook pageexternal-link to offer a replica shirt to the first person who can send a screenshot of the team winning the Premier League on Football Manager. They do make a proviso that it would have to be after season 2021-22 as the Rocks currently play in the seventh tier of English football.

And finally

Arsenal trio Nacho Monreal, Theo Walcott and Per Mertesacker tried their hand at traditional African dancing in an unusual advert for Ethiopian beer. (Metro)external-link

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has kept a secret from friends, family and team-mates for seven years - that he has created a pioneering company that could revolutionise the energy industry. (The Sun)external-link