Gossip column: Bale, De Gea, Rafael, Ramos, Berahino

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Manchester United will not give up on their pursuit of Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, 26, despite the Spanish side wanting a world-record fee of £86m for the player. (Sunday Express)external-link

United goalkeeper David De Gea's move to Real could be on after Old Trafford manager Louis van Gaal said he wants to "unlock" negotiations following the 24-year-old's poor display against Paris St-Germain. (AS.com)external-link

Meanwhile, Ligue 1 side Lyon are close to signing Red Devils full-back Rafael, 25, for £7m. (Le Parisien via Daily Star Sunday)external-link

Sunday Express back page

Tottenham are close to selling Spanish striker Roberto Soldado to La Liga side Villarreal. Spurs want £12m for the 30-year-old who they bought from Valencia for £26m in 2013. (Mail on Sunday)external-link

Newcastle have joined Tottenham in targeting West Brom striker Saido Berahino, 21, who is likely to cost about £20m.(Sunday Express)external-link

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane says Arsenal players are more "interested in selfies and six-packs instead of winning Premier League titles". (Sunday Mirror)external-link

West Ham will step up attempts to sign QPR striker Charlie Austin, 26, who is valued at £15m, following the injury to current Hammers striker Enner Valencia. (Sunday Mirror)external-link

Crystal Palace want to sign Newcastle centre-back Fabricio Coloccini, 33, who has one year remaining on his deal at St James' Park. (Mail on Sunday)external-link

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he's a better manager than he was 10 years ago and the 52-year-old plans to manage into his 70s. (Sunday Times - subscription requiredexternal-link)

Southampton are looking to beat Liverpool to a deal for Barcelona winger Adama Traore, 19.(Metro)external-link

Leicester City are discussing personal terms with Chile international midfielder Charles Aranguiz, 26, after agreeing a club-record £10.5m fee.(Sky Sports)external-link

Sunderland are in talks to sign Rubin Kazan midfielder Yann M'Vila, 25, as manager Dick Advocaat looks to add to his four summer signings. (Sunderland Echo)external-link

The Black Cats are also closing in on a season-long loan deal for QPR midfielder Leroy Fer, 25.(Sun on Sunday - subscription required)external-link

Crystal Palace and Stoke are both interested in signing Juventus striker Fernando Llorente, 30, who is valued at £8.5m by the Serie A champions. (Tuttosport - in Italian)external-link

Mail on Sunday
Mail on Sunday sport section cover

Potters striker Peter Odemwingie, 34, is targeting 10 goals next season after missing the last 11 months with a cruciate knee ligament injury.(Stoke Sentinel)external-link

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is confident striker Romelu Lukaku, 22, will be fit for the start of the new season on 8 August despite leaving the pitch holding his left leg in a recent friendly.(Liverpool Echo)external-link

Manchester United are facing criticism after unveiling their new shirt for women, which features a plunging neckline.(Sun on Sunday - subscription required)external-link

Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores admits he does not know who will start for his side against the Toffees next weekend.(Watford Observer)external-link

Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood faces concerns over new signing Jose Crespo, 28, who injured his knee half an hour into his debut against Nottingham Forest. (Birmingham Mail)external-link

Notts County forward Ellen White, 26, says "women's football is still 50 years behind the men's game", despite England coming third at the recent World Cup.(Daily Star Sunday)external-link

Best of social media

Nigel De Jong

AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong seems to be a Star Wars fan, showing off his motorcycle helmet. He said on Instagram:external-link "Darth Vader. Day off, cruising..."

New Chelsea forward Fran Kirby celebrates her team's win over Notts County in the first FA Cup final to be held at Wembley.

Fran Kirby

And finally...

Having taken the Champions League rights, BT Sport are close to securing a deal to show La Liga football on their channels. The Spanish league has been aired on Sky Sports for the last two decades. (Sunday Telegraph)external-link

Former Arsenal man Nicklas Bendtner, who once called himself one of the best strikers in the world,external-link came off the bench in the German Super Cup to score a last-minute equaliser for Wolfsburg against Bayern Munich before netting the winning penalty in the shootout. (Metro)external-link