World Football Gossip Roundup: Steven Gerrard, Didier Drogba, James Rodriguez

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Would Steven Gerrard actually leave Liverpool?

Could Didier Drogba actually return to England?

Will James Rodriguez really cost £36 million?

Those are the burning questions in this Wednesday edition of the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup.

Read on for those stories along with updates on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Roberto Mancini.

Steven Gerrard Would Like to Play for Jose Mourinho?

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard "would like to play for" manager Jose Mourinho, according to The Sun.

Gerrard, a 32-year-old midfielder, was linked heavily with a move to Mourinho's Chelsea in 2004 and 2005. Mourinho, 49, currently manages Real Madrid.

The Sun quotes Gerrard as saying: "I would like to play for Mourinho, the Special One."

Didier Drogba Reiterates Commitment to Shanghai Shenhua

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Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has affirmed his commitment to Shanghai Shenhua, the Chinese club he joined this summer (via Goal.com).

Drogba, 34, led Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League title in May before moving to China. According to Goal.com, he has earned the nickname "Devil Beast" among Chinese fans.

The Ivorian has been linked with a return to England.

The Goal.com report cites the Shanghai Morning Post in quoting Drogba: "I hope next season I can start again from the beginning with Shenhua."

James Rodriguez to Cost £36 Million?

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Porto have reportedly raised the price of midfielder James Rodriguez's release clause to £36 million, according to the Daily Mail.

Rodriguez, a 21-year-old Colombian international, is thought to be a transfer target of Manchester United.

The Mail speculates that United could offer Portuguese winger Nani as part of a swap deal.

Tottenham to Target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar?

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Tottenham Hotspur will target Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in January, according to The Independent.

Huntelaar, 29, is in the final season of his contract with German club Schalke. His transfer fee would reportedly be about £7 million.

Huntelaar scored 48 goals in all competitions for Schalke last season. This season, he scored in both of Schalke's Champions League matches against Arsenal.

Roberto Mancini Will Escape UEFA Discipline

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will not face disciplinary action after confronting an official following City's 2-2 Champions League draw with Ajax on Tuesday (via The Independent).

City erased a 2-0 deficit and appeared to score a winner in the 88th minute through Sergio Aguero. The goal was ruled out for offside during the buildup. Forward Mario Balotelli also had a penalty appeal denied.

UEFA, European football's governing body, said the incident was not reported by the referee or the match delegate.

 

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