Football rumours from today's newspapers

• Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson says neither Javier Mascherano or Dirk Kuyt will be joining former boss Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan.
  (The Mirror)


• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could swoop for Netherlands international and Ajax goalkeeper Martin Stekelenburg if he fails to lure Mark Schwarzer from Fulham.
  (talksport)


• Should Schwarzer leave Craven Cottage for Arsenal, Fulham boss Mark Hughes wants Stoke's Asmir Begovic to replace the veteran Australia international.
  (The Mirror)


• The Gunners are considering whether to bring Matthew Upson back to the club. The defender has one year left on his contract with West Ham, who could be open to offers of about £7m for the England international.
  (caughtoffside)


• Meanwhile, the Hammers are lining up a £2.5m bid for Aston Villa defender Luke Young.
  (Daily Mail)


• West Ham boss Avram Grant is also lining up a £2.5m deal for Celtic's Marc-Antoine Fortune.
  (Daily Mail)


• Manchester United are close to signing 16-year-old Ajax winger Gyliano van Velzen.
  (talksport)


• Birmingham are set to make an improved offer for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia, thought to be in the region of about £8.5-£9m.
  (The Guardian)


• Tottenham have ended their efforts to sign Manchester City defender Micah Richards after landing William Gallas.
  (talksport)


• Newcastle are closing in on a £3.5m deal for FC Twente's Ivory Coast's defensive midfielder Cheick Tiote.
  (Daily Mail)


• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits a move for Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given is increasingly unlikely because of his wage demands, although Fulham's Mark Schwarzer is still on his radar.
  (The Sun)


• Tottenham will have to cough up £8.5m to take Lassana Diarra after Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho said he will not allow the midfielder to go out on loan.
  (Daily Mail)


• Mourinho is planning a £20m bid to bring Chelsea's Didier Drogba to Real Madrid.
  (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

• New Aston Villa signing Stephen Ireland says James Milner is "going to get a shock soon" following his move to Manchester City.
  (Daily Mail)


• West Ham striker Carlton Cole says Fabio Capello is "up there with Jose Mourinho" as the best manager he has ever worked with.
  (talksport)


• Newcastle manager Chris Hughton will not take any risks with former England defender Sol Campbell as he nears full match fitness.
  (Press Association)


• Harry Redknapp has told Tottenham Hotspur fans to get behind his decision to sign William Gallas on a free transfer, insisting he has not "signed the Yorkshire Ripper".
  (The Guardian)