Transfer gossip: Man United bid £110m for Varane and Bale

Scuzza me, but you see, we'll pay a large fee - that's Varane!

Manchester United are either ready to flex their transfer muscles in the most spectacular way, or merely playing silly buggers with Real Madrid. In the midst of the La Liga club ghosting David de Gea away from Old Trafford, United have countered with a double offer of their own. According to the Express, the Mancs have bid a whopping £110m for both Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane. Real have said no, but their refusal may just complicate the De Gea situation.

City keen on having an Isco

Mancunian interest in Real players isn't restricted to the red three-quarters of Manchester; City want in too. Pellegrini and co are extremely sweet on bringing hirsute hero Isco to the Etihad campus, according to the Mirror. City see the 23-year-old as the perfect long-term replacement for fellow Spaniard David Silva, who is the ripe old age of 29. Move over, granddad...

Chelsea to kermit to Gonzo

As Chelsea's Oscar once said: "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the Star's back page..." The celestial redtop suggests that the London club are ready to supplement their attack with the signing of Napoli marksman Gonzalo Higuain. Word has that Jose Mourinho sees the 27-year-old as a potential replacement for the departing Didier Drogba, who is leaving Stamford Bridge for the seventh time.

Extra! Extra!

*Jose Mourinho has poo-poo'd reports that Diego Costa is unhappy at Chelsea. (Sun)   *Robin van Persie says he will have to "weigh up what is the best solution" as he wants to "play every week". (Daily Mirror)  *Chelsea, Manchester United and UK Gold are competing to sign Miranda. (Daily Telegraph) *Hugo Lloris has refused to rule out a move away from White Hart Lane, as well as an infinite number of other things. (Guardian)