World Football Gossip Roundup: David De Gea, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Willian

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Home is where the heart is in this Tuesday edition of the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup.

David De Gea is homesick, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is ready for a new home, and Willian is making friends in his next potential home.

Updates on all of those players appear inside along with news on Rio Ferdinand's reported plans for a new union and Celtic manager Neil Lennon's plans for his team's Champions League match against Barcelona.

Read on for all the details.

Real Madrid Want David De Gea?

EuroFootball/Getty Images

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea as a long-term replacement for Iker Casillas (via Daily Mail).

Reports out of Spain say De Gea, a 21-year-old Spaniard, is homesick for his native country. Casillas, 31, has been quoted as saying he thinks of De Gea as his successor in the Spanish national team.

Liverpool Target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar?

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Liverpool will move for Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in January, according to the Daily Star.

Huntelaar, a 29-year-old Dutch international, has reportedly delayed contract talks until December. His current contract expires at the end of the current season.

Huntelaar scored 48 goals in all competitions last season for Schalke.

Willian Hearts AVB?

EuroFootball/Getty Images

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian has become a "friend" of Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas, according to Metro.

Tottenham and Chelsea were linked with the 24-year-old Brazilian this past summer. According to quotes attributed to Willian, the courtship didn't stop then.

"Tottenham is a big club and it has a good person in charge," Willian said. "Andre Villas-Boas wanted to bring me to Chelsea and also tried at Tottenham. He always sends me messages. We are always in touch, and he has become a friend, for sure."

Rio Ferdinand Planning New Union for Black Players?

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is reportedly planning a new union for black players (via Daily Mail).

Ferdinand, 33, refused to wear an anti-racism T-shirt before United's league match over the weekend. He reportedly wants the union to protect the rights of the new generation of black players.

The union reportedly has a working name of The Federation of Black Players. It will reportedly be open to all players who wish to fight racism.

Ferdinand seemed to respond to the story via Twitter on Tuesday with a cryptic tweet:

Don't believe all u read.

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 23, 2012

According to The Independent, Ferdinand and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson have "resolved" their issues over the anti-racism T-shirt incident.

Ferdinand, who turns 34 in November, will reportedly receive a new contract offer. His current deal expires in June.

Celtic Players to Keep Their Shirts On?

David Ramos/Getty Images

Celtic manager Neil Lennon reportedly will not allow his players to make pregame arrangements to swap shirts with Barcelona following Tuesday's Champions League group match in Spain (via Scottish Daily Record).

Lennon reportedly sees the move as a way to keep his players focused, saying:

I don’t want my players getting involved in all that. I won’t be in the tunnel when the teams walk out but I just want them to look straight ahead, not look to the side at their opponents. I want them to try to focus on getting a foothold on the game at some stage.

Barcelona lead Group G with six points. Celtic are second with four.

 

Follow @MikeCummings37