Paper talk

My football gift to you - all today's rumours from the papers

Newcastle are close to buying highly-rated Croatia midfielder Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb for about £12m. (Various)

Tottenham and Manchester City have been sounded out about signing Brazil superstar Ronaldinho after his move to AC Milan collapsed. (Daily Mirror)

But Milan still want Ronaldinho despite Barcelona's £40m asking price - and the player wants that move too. (Guardian)

City are also considering a move for Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf. (Various)

But they face competition from Valencia, who will bid £5m for the Senegal international. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez spoke to owner Tom Hicks on Wednesday and listed his transfer targets, which include Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. (Star)

But Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to smash Villa's pay structure to keep hold of his player. (Various)

Real Madrid have added Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho to their wanted list, along with his Blues team-mate Didier Drogba. The Spanish giants also hope to lure Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. (Star)

Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the signature of Blackburn winger David Bentley. (The Times)

Arsenal midfielder Matthieu Flamini is on the verge of leaving to join Italian giants Juventus. (Independent).

And the Gunners' midfield could be further depleted by the departure of Alexander Hleb to Inter Milan. (The Guardian)

Arsenal are interested in signing PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa and Valencia striker David Villa. (Daily Star)

Tottenham are also in the race for Gomes. However, the £10m price tag could put off both clubs. (Express)

Spurs' other goalkeeping targets include Espanyol's Carlos Kameni, Villarreal's Diego Lopez, Manchester United's Ben Foster and Udinese's Samir Handanovic. (Express)

Sporting Lisbon want Middlesbrough midfielder Fabio Rochemback. (Various)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is tracking Argentine international Maxi Rodriguez. (Daily Mirror)

Marcus Bent will seek a permanent switch to Wigan, where he is on loan from Charlton, if the club stays in the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle want Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, who is also being chased by Blackburn and Sunderland. (The Sun)

Tottenham are interested in Real Madrid's Esteban Granero and Chelsea's Tal Ben Haim. (Daily Express)

Chelsea could move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although his team-mate Mario Balotelli is being considered as an alternative.

But Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Tal Ben Haim could all leave Chelsea in the summer. (Independent)

Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini may also join the exodus from Stamford Bridge. (Independent)

Derby manager Paul Jewell is interested in signing Everton midfielder Lee Carsley. (Independent)

Celtic are considering a move for tough-tackling Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic. (Daily Mail)

St Mirren are leading the chase for soon to be out-of-contract Falkirk captain Jack Ross. (Daily Express)

Crystal Palace insist youngsters Lee Hills, Victor Moses, Sean Scannell and John Bostock will not be sold if the club fails to win promotion. (Various)

Plymouth defender Paul Connolly will move to Charlton in the summer after seven years at the club. (Various)

Oldham are monitoring teenage Wigan striker Chris McCaughtrie, who will be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer. (Daily Star)

Cardiff and Coventry are competing for the signature of Oxford defender Luke Foster. (Daily Star)