Tuesday's gossip column
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 5:11 PM | by Adam Mazrani 
A round up of Tuesday's Premier League transfer gossip and news.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has placed Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi, 29, at the top of his January transfer window shortlist.
Full story: Manchester Evening News
Liverpool are interested in Atletico Madrid's Turkish winger Arda Turan, 25, and Barcelona's Chile international forward Alexis Sanchez, 23.
Arsenal are aiming to beat north London rivals Tottenham to the signing of 23-year-old Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao from Internacional.
Chelsea could add to their growing Brazilian contingent with a move for Corinthians 24-year-old midfielder Paulinho. The Blues already have Oscar, Ramires, David Luiz and Lucas Piazon.
Arsenal's Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone, 24, insists he wants to stay with the north London club despite interest from Napoli.
Tottenham are keeping tabs on Feyenoord's 21-year-old Holland international Jordy Clasie as boss Andre Villas-Boas prepares to add to his squad in in January.
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has emerged as a surprise target for Spanish side Real Madrid. Real see see Schmeichel, 25, as a long-term successor to current keeper Iker Casillas, 31.
Steve Browett, the Crystal Palace co-chairman, has moved to assure the club's supporters that Wilfried Zaha "is not for sale", despite Sunday newspaper reports that clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal want to buy the 19-year-old winger.
Aston Villa's 28-year-old Darren Bent could be set for a January move out of Villa Park, with Liverpool and QPR lining up bids for the out-of-favour striker.
Daniel Sturridge will look to leave Chelsea in January to try to revive his England chances. Liverpool and Tottenham are both keen to recruit the 23-year-old striker.
Andrey Arshavin's time at Arsenal looks set to be coming to an end with Fulham boss Martin Jol reported to be interested in signing the 31-year-old Russian in January.
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, 27, has branded Liverpool's 25-year-old striker Luis Suarez a "diver" and a "cheat" in a French interview. "He is tiresome to defend against. He cheats. He pulls your shirt, giving small blows," said Koscielny. "He is a player who likes to dive as soon as there is contact."
Striker Nicklas Bendtner has taken a swipe at former club Arsenal by claiming the training programme at Juventus is the best he has been involved in. The 24-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at the Italian club.
Chris Smalling, 22, is set to ease Manchester United's defensive worries by being declared fit for Saturday's match against Stoke - it will be his first appearance of the season.
Midfielder Jack Wilshere, 20, will take the next step towards his Arsenal return with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Chelsea on Wednesday.
