Football gossip: Zidane, Modric, Lewandowski, Hazard, Willian, Mignolet

Football gossip

Manchester United want former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to replace Jose Mourinho as manager if he leaves. (Sun)external-link

Inter Milan are interested in Real Madrid's Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, 32, who is on holiday in Italy. (Gazzetta dello Sport, via Mail)external-link

Chelsea hope to beat Real Madrid to the signing of 29-year-old Bayern Munich and Poland forward Robert Lewandowski. (Star)external-link

Chelsea hope offering France midfielder N'Golo Kante, 27, a new £290,000-a-week deal helps persuade Belgium forward Eden Hazard, also 27, to stay. (Evening Standard)external-link

However, Paris St-Germain are not giving up on signing Kante. (Mirror)external-link

Tottenham want to sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha for £45m. The Eagles have already turned down a bid from Chelsea for the 25-year-old Ivory Coast international. (Sun)external-link

Chelsea are not convinced Brazil winger Willian's late return to the club is because of passport issues. The 29-year-old, who interests Manchester United and Real Madrid is yet to report for pre-season training. (Times - subscription required)external-link

Liverpool's 30-year-old Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is a target for Barcelona. (Sky Sports)external-link

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants to see more home-grown players come through the ranks and has been impressed with English midfielder Curtis Jones, 17, during pre-season. (Mail)external-link

Defender Luke Shaw, 23, is happy to see out the final year of his contract at Manchester United, despite interest from German side Wolfsburg in the England international. (Mail)external-link

Belgium forward Michy Batshuayi, 24, has been told by Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri that he has a future at Stamford Bridge, amid interest from Crystal Palace and Valencia. (RMC, via Sun)external-link

Everton are interested in signing Russia midfielder Denis Cheryshev, 27, from Villarreal. (Marca, via Talksport)external-link

Crystal Palace hope to sign Germany forward Max Meyer, 22, from Schalke and 29-year-old Brazil midfielder Josef de Souza from Fenerbahce. (Star)external-link

Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has agreed a season-long loan move to fellow Serie A side AC Milan, who will have the option to buy the 30-year-old Argentina international for £32m at the end of the season. (Guardian)external-link

Real Madrid approached 26-year-old Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah about replacing Cristiano Ronaldo after selling the 33-year-old Portugal international to Juventus.(El Pais, via Star)external-link

Former Arsenal and France forward Thierry Henry has agreed terms to become the new Egypt manager. (King Fut, via Talksport)external-link

Sevilla president Jose Castro has made it clear he expects France midfielder Steven N'Zonzi to stay. The 29-year old is thought to be a target for Arsenal. (Metro)external-link

Aston Villa want to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham on a season-long loan but the 20-year-old English player is keen to stay in the Premier League. (Mail)external-link

The transfer season begins

Spain striker Fernando Llorente, 33, says he wants to stay at Tottenham, despite being back-up to England captain Harry Kane, 25. (Evening Standard)external-link

Newcastle offered manager Rafael Benitez to Spain for the World Cup after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui. (COPE, via Express)external-link

The Football Association is fighting to keep hold of technical director Dan Ashworth, who is interested in a similar role at Premier League club Brighton. (Mirror)external-link

Sampdoria are set to confirm the signing of Ronaldo Vieira, 20, from Leeds United after agreeing a five-year contract with the England Under-21 midfielder. (Yorkshire Evening Post)external-link

Picture of the Sun back page on Wednesday
Zinedine Zidane could replace Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, says the Sun

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