TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid are stepping up their efforts to beat Barcelona to the signing of Brazil forward Neymar. Santos are hoping that Real might meet the £59m release clause in the 21-year-old's contract, while Barca will not pay more than £25m.

Wayne Rooney's future remains uncertain after it was confirmed the 27-year-old had submitted a transfer request and asked to be left out of Manchester United's final home match against Swansea.

Full story: Daily Star external-link

Incoming Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola accepts Jack Wilshere will stay at Arsenal this summer but has made the England midfielder, 21, a long-term transfer target.

Full story: Metro external-link

Celtic paid Scunthorpe £2.4m for Hooper in 2010.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp wants Celtic striker Gary Hooper to lead his attempts to make an immediate return to the Premier League. Norwich failed in January with a string of bids for the 25-year-old, who has scored 29 goals this season.

Full story: Daily Mirror external-link

Phil Neville has admitted he is not sure whether he will be extending his playing career after confirming last month he would leave Everton at the end of the season.

Full story: Sky Sports external-link

Fulham manager Martin Jol is targeting as many as six new signings for next season.

Full story: Ealing Gazette external-link

OTHER GOSSIP

Frank Lampard said he was spurred on to his Chelsea goalscoring record by fans who stopped him in the street to wish him well.

Full story: Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle external-link

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed reports he has agreed a deal to take over at City and said: "I have not spoken to anyone. Rumours are coming from many sides."

Full story: El Desmarque Malaga journalist Dani Marin (Spanish) external-link

Pellegrini has dismissed his link to Manchester City as "rumours".

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan believes Everton is not a big enough club to attract Latics manager Roberto Martinez this summer. The Blues are looking for a replacement for David Moyes, who will join Manchester United in July. "He'll only go to a big, big club and I don't think Everton are big enough," Whelan said.

Full story: Daily Mirror external-link

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied ever having contact with Paris St-Germain and plans to stay at Emirates Stadium until at least the end of next season. "I do not see myself leaving the club like a thief and not respecting my contract," Wenger said.

Full story: Sporting Life external-link

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Atletico Madrid are looking to bring on-loan Wolfsburg midfielder Diego, 28, back to the Spanish capital next season.

Full story: L'Equipe (French) external-link

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent, Mino Raiola, has ruled out the prospect of the Sweden striker, 31, leaving Paris St-Germain this summer.

Full story: Gazzetta dello Sport (Italian) external-link

AND FINALLY

Michael Owen's Stoke team-mates covered the former England striker's car with eggs and flour before the 2-1 defeat by Tottenham on Sunday. Owen, 33, is retiring at the end of the season and Sunday's match was the final home game of his career.

Full story: Daily Mail external-link

QPR boss Harry Redknapp says he took Jose Bosingwa off at half-time against Newcastle because of the abuse the defender was receiving from the Rangers fans.

Full story: Fulham Chronicle external-link

Paris St-Germain's first title since 1994 was overshadowed by an ugly dressing-room row between sporting director Leonardo and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.