Gossip column: Van Gaal, Mourinho, Pogba, Kroos, Hazard – BBC Sport

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Van Gaal out, Mourinho in?

Inter Milan’s honorary president Bedy Moratti, the sister of the club’s former president Massimo, has said on camera that Jose Mourinho is going to Manchester, presumably to United. (calciomercato.com, in Italian)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has lost the confidence of several of the club’s senior players and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is their preferred option as his replacement.(Daily Star)

The Old Trafford club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is believed to have contacted Mourinho’s agent on Friday to see if he will take over before the end of this season.(Daily Mirror)

Woodward made the move after fearing that Inter Milan were about to offer Mourinho his old job back.(The Sun)

Van Gaal is clinging to his role at Manchester United as Woodward is told to stop dithering over whether to sack him.(Daily Mail)

The Dutchman has three games to save his career, starting with Monday’s FA Cup tie at Shrewsbury.(Daily Express)

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Daily Mirror focus on Manchester United making an approach to Jose Mourinho to replace Louis van Gaal

Other gossip

Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink has spoken to midfielder Eden Hazard, 25, about his future and insists the Belgium international does not want to leave. (London Evening Standard)

Hiddink also believes the next Chelsea manager faces a massive rebuilding job to return the club to the top of the European game. (Daily Mail)

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 22, has admitted he would love to work with incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. (The Sun)

Guardiola wants to bring Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, 26, to Manchester City in the summer. (AS – in Spanish)

The former Barcelona coach is also set to bring winger Douglas Costa, 25, with him from Bayern Munich. (Metro via Globo Esporte)

Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld believes Guardiola’s new signings will change the Blues’ style of play. (Manchester Evening News)

Mario Balotelli could be the latest name to make the move to the Chinese Super League with clubs keen to sign the 25-year-old striker who is on loan at AC Milan from Liverpool. However, Turkey could also be a possible destination. (Liverpool Echo)

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Manchester United are worried that Jose Mourinho might be coaxed into a return to Inter Milan, according to The Sun

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino will warn midfielder Dele Alli to curb his temper after admitting the 19-year-old has a “naughty” streak. (Telegraph)

Manchester United have been in touch with La Liga side Athletic Bilbao about signing defender Aymeric Laporte, 21, this summer. (Daily Star via Sport)

Sunderland failed in a bid for Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar, 22, last month, the player’s agent confirmed. (Newcastle Chronicle)

Arsenal have been told they have ‘no chance’ of signing Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, 28, this summer. (London Evening Standard)

Liverpool are looking to tie up a lucrative £90m naming rights deal for Anfield’s new main stand. (Liverpool Echo)

Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn says he would like to see a Champions League spot for the FA Cup winners as part of reforms for the competition. (Guardian)

Some senior officials at struggling Aston Villa have hired bodyguards, and players have been banned from leaving the ground until at least an hour after the final whistle to avoid clashes with fans, a former employee has revealed. (Daily Mirror)

Best of social media

Stoke striker Bojan was also indulging his inner Doctor Dolittle while on holiday in Dubai, as he revealed on his Twitter account.

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Bojan enjoys a trip to Dubai Zoo

Meanwhile, back in the UK, Everton defender Bryan Oviedo tweeted his delight at receiving a birthday cake piped in the colours of his native Costa Rica – and emblazoned with the Toffees crest.

And finally

Former Hull City midfielder Jimmy Bullard has claimed that the club “changed my life” after mistakenly offering him a contract worth more than £50,000-a week in 2009 when he had originally accepted £40,000. (Daily Mirror via Magic Sponge podcast)

Chelsea have moved to make peace with former boss Jose Mourinho by sending him miniature replicas of the trophies he won during his second spell at the club and a letter thanking him for his achievements. (Daily Telegraph)