Thursday's paper gossip round up


Today's paper gossip round up features somethings that have already happened and others that probably won't.
Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, 26, has emerged as a shock transfer target for Arsenal, as a potential makeweight in a deal taking 23-year-old forward Theo Walcott the other way.
Porto have turned down a £39.5m bid from Zenit St Petersburg for Hulk. The 26-year-old striker and winger is also a target for Chelsea.
West Ham will launch a final attempt to sign Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, 23, before the window closes. This would allow the Reds to move for Walcott.
Carroll is set to be left out of Liverpool's Europa League match with Hearts, further fuelling speculation he will leave the club.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants Carroll to admit his Anfield career is over as he looks to bring in cash to buy Clint Dempsey, 29, and Walcott.
Full story: The Times (subscription required)
Liverpool want to sign Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente, 27, if they can sell Carroll before Friday's transfer deadline.
Hamburg say they will do "all they can" to complete the signing of Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, 29, before the window closes.
Tottenham and Chelsea are locked in a £15m battle for France and Marseille striker Loic Remy, 25.
Manchester City will step up their interest in Inter's 31-year-old defender Maicon before the window closes.
Fulham have failed in a bid to sign 25-year-old midfielder Mark Noble from West Ham, as they look for a replacement for Mousa Dembele who has joined Tottenham.
Manchester City have made a formal £6.2m bid for Swansea's 23-year-old winger Scott Sinclair.
Meanwhile, Swansea have agreed a record £5.5m deal for Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez, 27, as a possible replacement for Sinclair.
Swansea have had a new £5.1m bid for Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez, 27, rejected according to other reports.
Malaga are set to beat Real Betis to the signature of 31-year-old Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz, according to reports in Spain.
Source: BBC Sport