Football rumours from today's newspapers

• Manchester City look set to miss out on the signing of midfielder Daniele De Rossi, as the 28-year-old is set to agree a five-year contract extension at Roma.
  (talkSPORT)


• Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson has emerged as a shock target for Arsenal, with the 27-year-old believed to be keen on a move to the capital.
  (The Mirror)


• The Gunners have been alerted to the availability of Lyon full-back Aly Cissokho after Arsene Wenger confirmed his intention to recruit defensive cover. Manchester City's out-of-favour left-back Wayne Bridge is not expected to join them because of previous injury concerns and his £90,000 weekly wage.
  (Metro)


• Manchester United are monitoring CSKA Moscow's 21-year-old Russian international midfielder Alan Dzagoev, who has been dauntingly likened in playing style to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.
  (Caughtoffside)


• Aston Villa are interested in making a move for Steven Pienaar, who has struggled to get games for Spurs this season. They will face competition for the midfielder's signature from Everton and Sunderland.
  (Daily Mail)


• Juventus are chasing the signature of Chelsea defender Alex, who is thought to prefer a return to Santos, after being told he can leave Stamford Bridge.
  (talkSPORT)


• Or Alex is keen on a move to Queens Park Rangers and will hold talks with the club on Tuesday.
  (Daily Mail)


• Juventus are now leading the race to sign Liverpool target Gaston Ramirez. The Italian giants are said to have already made a bid for the attacking midfielder, who currently plays for Bologna.
  (Footybunker)


• West Ham are keen to take versatile Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka on loan for the remainder of the season.
  (The Sun)


• Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has opened the bidding for Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard with a £1m offer but it will not be enough to secure his signature.
  (The Mirror)

• Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas reportedly said nothing to midfielder Frank Lampard, who scored the winning goal at Wolves, either after the match or on the coach home.
  (The Sun)


• The Daily Mail report that Joey Barton is likely to face an FA charge for accusing Bradley Johnson of 'conning' the officials after he was sent-off on Monday.
  (Daily Mail)


• Former England manager Steve McClaren could be set for a return to FC Twente, the team he led to the Dutch title in 2010.
  (Les Rosbifs)


• Spurs playmaker Rafael van der Vaart has dismissed any speculation about his future, saying that "nobody wants to leave Spurs now".
  (The Mirror)


• Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea insists he can "equal or even surpass" Edwin van der Sar's achievements at the club, despite a series of errors at the start of his career at Old Trafford.
  (Daily Star)


• Federico Macheda agreed to join QPR on loan on the advice of his Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, whose brother Anton plays for the club.
  (Metro)

• Thierry Henry may not have formally completed his loan move to Arsenal but a photograph of him in his kit somehow appeared on the club's official website.
  (Metro)


• Bradley Johnson has had his say on the Joey Barton red card row - after a picture emerged on Twitter of him at the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace holding up a sign reading: "Barton your breath stinks".
  (The Mirror)