Sunday's gossip column: Bale, Aubameyang, Cavani, Fernandes, Mari, Rojo

Football gossip

Tottenham are working on a permanent deal that would see Wales forward Gareth Bale, 30, return to the club from Real Madrid before this week's transfer deadline. (Express)external-link

Manchester United may decide to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if results do not improve this season, with England boss Gareth Southgate a leading contender to replace him. (Mail)external-link

Manchester United will make a move for Leicester and England left-back Ben Chilwell, 23, in the summer. (Metro)external-link

Barcelona are not expected to pursue a move for Arsenal's Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 30, during the current transfer window and will focus on Valencia's Spain forward Rodrigo Moreno, 28. (Sport)external-link

However, Aubameyang may be targeted by Paris St-Germain as a replacement for Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, 32. (Foot Mercato - in French)external-link

Cavani, linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, has verbally agreed to join Atletico Madrid before the end of the January transfer window. (Goal)external-link

Cavani rejected a contract proposal worth around £10m-a-year, plus a huge signing-on bonus from Manchester United. (Mirror)external-link

Tottenham and Aston Villa will not pursue bids for Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the current window as neither is willing to meet Fulham's £40m valuation. The 25-year-old has an option to leave in the summer - if Fulham fail to secure promotion to the Premier League. (Star)external-link

Arsenal are close to finalising the signing of 26-year-old Flamengo defender Pablo Mari. (Mail)external-link

Manchester United are refusing to lower the £25m asking price for England centre-back Chris Smalling, with Roma keen to complete a permanent deal for the 30-year-old, who is currently on loan at the Serie A side. (Sun)external-link

Manchester United remain interested in Sporting's Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, 25, but the two teams are unable to agree a fee. (A Bola - in Portuguese)external-link

Marcos Rojo is heading back to Estudiantes on loan - after Manchester United failed to find a buyer for the 29-year-old Argentine defender. (Mirror)external-link

Newcastle hope to beat Valencia to the signature of Borussia Dortmund and Spain striker Paco Alcacer, 26, who is available for a loan deal. (Sun)external-link

Southampton have held further talks with Tottenham over a deal for England Under-21 full-back Kyle Walker-Peters, 22. (Mail)external-link

Birmingham are prepared to turn down any offers for England Under-17 international Jude Bellingham, and are confident of keeping hold of the 16-year-old despite interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. (90 Min)external-link

West Ham's New Zealand defender Winston Reid, 31, has turned down the opportunity of joining Charlton on loan. (TeamTalk)external-link

Norwich are in talks to sign F91 Dudelange and Luxembourg winger Danel Sinani, 22. (Mail)external-link

Former Blackburn and Stoke midfielder Steven Nzonzi, the 31-year-old France midfielder on loan at Galatasaray from Roma, is considering a move to West Ham. (Le10Sport, via Star)external-link

Leeds target Britt Assombalonga, 27, is up for sale with Middlesbrough willing to sell the DR Congo striker. (Star)external-link

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, 27, is to be honoured with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds in London. (Mirror)external-link

Former Arsenal, Manchester United and Netherlands striker Robin van Persie, 36, has revealed Vincent Kompany asked him to come out of retirement and join him at Anderlecht. (HLN - in Dutch)external-link

Sunday Express
In the Sunday Express, "Spurs bid to bring back Bale"

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