TRANSFER GOSSIP

Striker Radamel Falcao, 29, will have to wait until May to discover if Manchester United are to make his loan move from Monaco permanent. (Guardian) 

Barcelona defender Dani Alves, 31, is close to joining a new club on a free transfer in the summer, with Manchester United one of the teams interested in the Brazil international. (Sun - subscription required) 

Porto full-back Danilo, 23, is expected to reject interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United in favour of a £27m switch to Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror) 

Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, Southampton and Everton are considering a move for Lyon's 21-year-old defender Samuel Umtiti. (FootMercato.net in French) 

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has ruled out a move for Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca, 28. (Turnstyle) 

Lille want to keep Manchester City attacking midfielder Marcos Lopes, 19, on loan for another season. (Daily Mail) 

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby, 28, looks set to be released this summer with boss Arsene Wenger planning to sell either Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini to clear the way for a major midfield signing. (Sun - subscription required) 

Chelsea are watching Anderlecht midfielders Youri Tielemans, 17, and Leander Dendoncker, 19. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Diego Simeone is stalling on a new contract as Atletico Madrid manager - in the hope of getting the Manchester City job. (Daily Mirror) 

Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson is set for a new deal to stop him moving to a Premier League side, despite having 12 months remaining on his current deal. (Daily Star) 

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says he will not bow to fans urging the team to "attack, attack, attack". (London Evening Standard) 

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng, 26, turned down an offer to join Barcelona during the summer. (Bild in German) 

Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva believes Mesut Ozil, 26, must improve if the Gunners are going to challenge for the Premier League title again. (London Evening Standard) 

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Hull City goalkeeper Steve Harper tweeted his admiration  for Fabricio Coloccini's gesture after the Newcastle captain handed the armband to Jonas Gutierrez on his return after 17 months out with cancer.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeted:  "Standing ovation for Jonas Gutierrez as he comes on at St James' Park 11 months after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Lovely moment."

AND FINALLY....

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo pays a stylist to regularly brush the hair on his official waxwork at the Museo Cera wax museum in Madrid. (Independent) 

Liverpool's Javier Manquillo is the least dirty defender in the Premier League with 16 tackles for every foul conceded. (Talksport) 

Everton striker Chris Long, 20, celebrated the first goals of his loan spell at Brentford by revealing he dragged up memories of Michael Owen to help him finish the chances. (Liverpool Echo)