Sunday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool and Newcastle will both compete for the signature of Celtic's in-form striker Gary Hooper, 24.
Darren Bent
Aston Villa bought Darren Bent in a £24m deal from Sunderland in January 2011
Aston Villa are ready to sell striker Darren Bent, 28, in the January transfer window.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will need his team to be successful in the Champions League if the club are to spend big money on future signings.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be given £35m to spend in the January transfer window — but the Frenchman is still not sure whether to spend it.

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Gunners striker Olivier Giroud, 26, is the "main man" at the club.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, 22, is not a good role model, says the club's football admininstrator Brian Marwood.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he often calls up former Villa manager Martin O'Neill for advice - and he has every intention of carrying on doing so.
Defender John Terry, 31, has damaged Chelsea's reputation, says former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman.

AND FINALLY

Former Juventus and Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero was overshadowed by ex-England forward Emile Heskey as Newcastle Jets beat Sydney FC 3-2 in Australia.