Gossip column: Balotelli, Defoe, Cisse, Eto'o, Sissoko, Lambert

For a list of all the latest deals, check out the transfers page.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool could sell forward Mario Balotelli, 24, this month to fund a double move for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, 27 and Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero, 27. (Daily Express) 

Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko, 25, could exit St James' Park after he was quoted saying, 'I hope I'll leave for a bigger club one day'. Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing the France international. (Newcastle Chronicle) 

Major League Soccer side Toronto FC are interested in a swap deal involving their striker Jermain Defoe, 32, and Sunderland forward Jozy Altidore, 25. (Sunderland Echo) 

 anchester United are trying to sign 20-year-old Athletic Bilbao centre-half Aymeric Laporte for £25m. (Daily Star) 

Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse, 29, is being lined up by Swansea as a replacement for Wilfried Bony, 26, who is set to move to Manchester City. (Wales Online) 

Swansea paid Bony £1m in November to remove a clause in his contract that would have seen him sold for £19m. The striker is now set to join Manchester City for £28m. (Sun, subscription required) 

West Brom and Crystal Palace want to sign Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert, 32, once the Reds bring forward Divock Origi, 19, back from his loan spell at French side Lille.(Daily Mirror) 

Leicester City have made a £3m bid for Tottenham right-back Kyle Naughton, while Swansea and QPR are also interested in signing the 26-year-old. (Daily Mirror) 

Liverpool are close to selling winger Oussama Assaidi to Dubai-based Al-Ahli for £4.7m. The 26-year-old's season-long loan spell at Stoke City has been terminated so he can move to the Middle East. (Liverpool Echo) 

Everton striker Samuel Eto'o, 33, could be set for a move to Serie A side Sampdoria on an 18-month loan deal. (Liverpool Echo) 

Arsenal and Manchester United both want to sign £10m-rated Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk, 23 from Celtic. (Daily Star) 

Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers have agreed a fee to sign striker Benik Afobe, 21, from Arsenal. (Express and Star) 

OTHER GOSSIP

The Premier League may fine Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for failing to attend his pre-match press conference before Saturday's game against Newcastle United. (Daily Telegraph) 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Jordan Henderson, 24, is ready to replace Steven Gerrard as captain next term.(Guardian) 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, 24, was dropped because of his poor form, not as a punishment after being caught smoking in the showers recently. (Daily Mail) 

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman thinks his side are good enough to qualify for the Champions League. (Southern Daily Echo) 

Steve Bruce has dismissed rumours that former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt is to become his new assistant manager at Hull City. (Hull Daily Mail) 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says his side can go on a similar run to the one that almost won them the Premier League title last season. (Sky Sports) 

West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison, 21, has complained to the players' union after claiming he did not get his £60,000 wages last month. (Sun, subscription required) 

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew is pleased none of his new players have got into trouble after saying he had to regularly fine Newcastle players while manager at St James' Park. (Daily Mail) 

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique was unhappy at being charged £9.50 for a glass of orange juice and posted a picture of the hotel receipt on Instagram.  Enrique added: "The most expensive glass of orange juice ever. They must have brought it from Spain walking."

Arsenal's Hector Bellerin with Thierry Henry

Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Robert Pires talked to the Gunners' players in their dressing room after their 3-0 win against Stoke. Defender Hector Bellerin posted a picture on Twitter  of him with Henry and says: "Clean sheet, three points and a quick snap with an Arsenal legend."

But Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was less happy after that match. He wrote on Twitter:  "Tough day for us. Arsenal were the better team. Learn our lessons and move on to next week. Great support by our fans."

AND FINALLY...

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, 30, has laughed off comments from Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny's father and insisted his performance against Stoke City proves he is no rhinoceros. (Talksport) 

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, 34, who joins LA Galaxy in July, will "fall in love with Los Angeles", says former Wimbledon midfielder Vinnie Jones, now a Hollywood actor. (Sun, subscription required)