Gossip: Ozil, Courtois, Bale, Sturridge, Giroud, Lopez

Football gossip

Transfer news

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, 31, has revealed he will consider leaving the Emirates to boost his chances of being selected in France's World Cup squad. Everton and West Ham have been linked. (Sun)external-link

However Arsene Wenger insists Giroud will not be sold in January as he looks to give the striker more Premier League minutes, (Independent)external-link

Arsenal are making one last push to keep Mesut Ozil with the club still hoping a new round of negotiations could persuade the 29-year-old playmaker to stay, despite interest from Barcelona and Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)external-link

Real Madrid could yet decide to move for Chelsea's Belgium international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 25. (Sun)external-link

Real, frequently linked with Manchester United's David de Gea, also expect to sign Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, 23, in January with an offer of 25m euros being made as soon as the transfer window opens. (Marca)external-link

An author who worked with Jose Mourinho on a recent book believes Manchester United will sign Gareth Bale, 28, from Real Madrid in the summer. (Daily Express)external-link

Crystal Palace are confident of agreeing a deal to sign 36-year-old Espanyol goalkeeper Diego Lopez. (Daily Mirror)external-link

Liverpool's out-of-favour striker Daniel Sturridge may consider a move to Europe in the January transfer window, with Real Betis and Valencia thought to be interested in the 28-year-old. (Daily Mail)external-link

Leicester manager Claude Puel has revealed he tried to sign Demarai Gray during his time at Southampton. (Daily Star)external-link

Sam Allardyce will ask every member of Everton's first-team squad whether they wish to be part of the club's future before finalising transfer plans for January. (Guardian)external-link

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Meanwhile...

The Manchester derby melee was allegedly caused by City players mocking United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic. "Ibra, you talk a lot but you move a little," was allegedly heard, sparking a brawl in which at least 20 people participated. (Marca)external-link

Romelu Lukaku was accused of acting "like a second-row rugby player" as he tried to get to Manchester City's players during the extraordinary tunnel bust-up. (Daily Telegraph)external-link

The Football Association's investigation into the tunnel bust-up at Old Trafford may be hindered by a lack of CCTV. (Times - subscription required)external-link

Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says the football played by Jose Mourinho's current side is more negative than his team at Old Trafford. (Daily Mail)external-link

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says his players are tired following the club's pre-season tours of Asia as he also bemoaned that his "squad is not big". (Daily Express) external-link

Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke has apologised to his team-mates after missing his late penalty in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth. (Guardian)external-link

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has dismissed suggestion that he could be facing the sack following a run of three defeats in four league games for the Potters. (Talksport)external-link

Stoke's results and performances have become a concern for the club's board and manager Mark Hughes faces pivotal games against Burnley and West Ham in his side's next two outings. (Daily Telegraph) external-link

Newcastle United honorary vice-president Malcolm Dix, whose grandfather was a founder shareholder of Newcastle East End, who merged with West End to form Newcastle United in 1892, believes the club could sign top players on the basis of a takeover happening. (Newcastle Chronicle)external-link

Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson believes Jurgen Klopp's Merseyside derby selection suggested complacency and a lack of understanding of the game's importance. (Sky Sports)external-link

Everton's Yannick Bolasie, who has been sidelined for over 12 months with a career-threatening knee injury, returned to action as a substitute for Everton Under-23s on Monday but believes it will take him until at least mid-January before he is "back at it". (Liverpool Echo)external-link

Best of Monday's gossip

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw wants a £5m pay-off to leave the club in January. Newcastle were interested in the 22-year-old but did not want to pay the £20m fee United were asking for. (Sun)external-link

United have also held talks with midfielder Marouane Fellaini in an attempt to get the 30-year-old to sign a new contract. Felliani's current deal expires in the summer. (Sun)external-link

Gareth Bale has agreed terms with Real Madrid to leave the club next summer, with Manchester United and Tottenham keen to sign the 28-year-old attacker. (Diario Gol - in Spanish)external-link

West Ham manager David Moyes has told Joe Hart that the club's Premier League survival is more important than the 30-year-old goalkeeper's international ambitions. (Daily Mirror)external-link