Paper talk

My football gift to you ... the best of rumours and gossip from today's sports pages.

Striker Peter Crouch is demanding showdown talks with boss Rafael Benitez after admitting he cannot take another season spent on the Liverpool bench. (Mirror).

Everton boss David Moyes is lining up a £3m bid for out-of-favour Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell. (Various)

Moyes is also prepared to pay £4m for American midfielder Michael Bradley from Dutch side Heerenveen. (Mirror)

Manchester United will sit down with Wigan next week to thrash out an £8m deal for midfielder Wilson Palacios. (The Sun)

And there could be more business between the two clubs, with United looking to offer striker Louis Saha and cash in exchange for Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia. (Mirror)

The Latics, meanwhile, are looking to reinforce their attacking options by making a £4m swoop for Egypt striker Amr Zaky after boss Steve Bruce watched the 25-year-old score twice for his club Zamalek on Monday. (Various)

Sunderland are leading the race to sign Carlton Cole from West Ham but Celtic and Middlesbrough are also interested in the former England Under-21 striker. (Mirror)

Martin O'Neill could turn to Stephen Carr, who has been released by Newcastle, after being priced out of a move for Porto full-back Jose Boswinga. (Mirror)