Transfer News and Gossip – Dec 14th

  
Premier League and Europe:

• Manchester United are considering sacking manager Louis van Gaal and replacing him with former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti in order to seal a deal for Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Star)
• Napoli have made a bid for Red Devils defender Guillermo Varela who is a target for them in the January transfer window. (Metro)
• Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti could move to Old Trafford to make room in the French champions’ squad for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba who once played at Manchester United. (Mundo Deportivo)
• Manchester United still hope they can beat their neighbours Manchester City to the signing of Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola and have increased their contact with the former Barcelona coach. (ESPN FC)
• Former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet still remains the front runner for the Swansea job. (Wales Online)
• Roy Hodgson has been told by the England Football Association that he will need to reach the last eight at Euro 2016 to earn a new two-year deal as England boss. (Daily Mail)
• The FA may consider a foreign manager should Hodgson’s reign as England coach come to an end after next Summer’s tournament in France. (Independent)
• Leicester are considering a £2m bid for AC Milan’s Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong. (Sunday People)
• Crystal Palace are leading the way to sign 24-year-old Juventus striker Simone Zaza, who is also wanted by Watford and Norwich. (The Sun)