Transfer News and Gossip – Dec 22nd

Premier League and Europe:

• Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will reportedly be sacked if his side lose to Stoke City on Boxing Day. (Various)
• The Red Devils had already made contact with Jose Mourinho before United’s loss to Norwich on Saturday. (The Sun)
• Mourinho would “jump at the chance” to manage at Old Trafford. (Daily Mail)
• Chelsea have lined up Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini as a permanent replacement for Jose Mourinho. (Fox Sports)
• Manchester City are favourites to sign Bayern manager Pep Guardiola when he leaves the club next summer but will face competition from Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris-Saint Germain. (Guardian)
• Manchester United will bid £29 million for in-form Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez in the January transfer window. (Daily Express)
• Temporary Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink wants to add ex-Blues striker Didier Drogba to his coaching staff. (Times)
• Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he regrets not signing England winger Raheem Sterling while he was at QPR. (Sky Sports)
• Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has suggested he might have a Premier League-winning side. (Daily Star)