Football Gossip column: Benzema, Pogba, Benteke, Terry, Hazard, Walcott

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Football Gossip column: Benzema, Pogba, Benteke, Terry, Hazard, Walcott
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Manchester United are preparing to rival Arsenal for the £40m signing of 27-year-old Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. (Guardian) 

United boss Louis van Gaal has also placed Barcelona full-back Dani Alves, 32, on a shortlist of potential defensive recruits this summer. (Daily Telegraph) 

But Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 22, has ruled out a return to Old Trafford because he wants to play in Spain for either Barcelona or Real Madrid, according to French daily newspaper L'Equipe. (Daily Star) 

helsea forward Eden Hazard, 24, is so happy at the club he would like to stay for another decade. Hazard has won the Premier League title, League Cup and Europa League since moving to London in 2012. (London Evening Standard) 

Blues captain John Terry, 34, has not ruled out following former England team-mates Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to Major League Soccer - but would prefer to finish his career at Stamford Bridge. (Talksport) 

Liverpool are preparing a bid for Aston Villa's 24-year-old forward Christian Benteke, but will not lodge it until after Villa have played Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday. (Times - subscription required) 

Meanwhile Reds midfielder Emre Can, 21, says he can fill the void left by captain Steven Gerrard. "I can take the responsibility," says the former Bayern Munich player. (Anfield Wrap) 

Title-winning former Liverpool striker John Aldridge says the club need to sign "leaders, goalscorers and big characters" - yet fears it may not happen. (Liverpool Echo) 

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, 26, will have contract talks with the club next week. (Daily Mirror) 

Newcastle United are prepared to wait "a few weeks" before appointing a new manager - with former England boss Steve McClaren, ex-Lyon coach Remi Garde and former Swansea boss Michael Laudrup on their shortlist. (Guardian) 

Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner will step down this summer. (Times - subscription required) 

West Ham United are considering a move for Southend United's 21-year-old goalkeeper Daniel Bentley. (Daily Express) 

Hammers players have been ordered back early to start pre-season training on 22 June - in 26 days' time - after the club qualified for the Europa League by finishing top of the Fair Play table. (Daily Telegraph) 

Paraguay international defender Antolin Alcaraz, 32, will leave Everton when his contract expires this summer after two years at Goodison Park. (Liverpool Echo) 

Former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock says former Blades defender and current coach Chris Morgan, 37, should get the manager's job after Nigel Clough's sacking. (Sheffield Star) 

Sunderland expect to learn on Wednesday whether Dick Advocaat intends to remain as head coach, or if he will end his managerial career. (Sunderland Echo) 

Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, 30, has signed a three-year deal with newly promoted Premier League side Bournemouth. (Get Reading) 

Meanwhile Cherries boss Eddie Howe has revealed goalkeeper Artur Boruc, 35, turned down a string of other offers to sign permanently for the club after a loan spell from Southampton. (Bournemouth Echo) 

Leicester City's chances of signing on-loan defender Robert Huth, 30, permanently have been boosted with Stoke City believed to be ready to let the former Chelsea player leave. (Leicester Mercury) 

Nottingham Forest hope to confirm the signing of Bolton defender Matt Mills, 28, on a two-year deal - despite the move hitting a stumbling block. (Nottingham Post) 

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal complained in an interview with MUTV about the size of dressing rooms in England, saying he sometimes has to "sit on the toilet" because there is no space to stand. (Manchester Evening News) 

Aston Villa fans have been banned from taking a huge flag into Wembley for Saturday's FA Cup final which reads: 'Never mind the Arsenal, Here's the Aston Villa.' (Birmingham Evening Mail) 

Arsenal trio Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker appear in a video which is a twist on Mark Morrison's 90s R&B classic Return of the Mack, designed to thank supporters for following the team throughout the season. (London Evening Standard)

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