World Football Gossip Roundup: Gareth Bale, Mario Gomez, Ashley Williams

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Manchester United are reeling, Sir Alex Ferguson is fuming and Wayne Rooney could be on his way out of Old Trafford.

Amazing how much one night—and one controversial red card—can change everything, no?

For now, Rooney's future at Manchester United is down to speculation (via Daily Telegraph), but you can be sure more stories will flow out of the rumor mill in the coming days.

In this Wednesday edition of the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup, we have news on Gareth Bale, Mario Gomez, Tito Vilanova, Ashley Williams and more.

Keep reading for all the details.

Arsenal Interested in Swansea Defender Ashley Williams?

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is interested in signing Wales international defender Ashley Williams, according to The Guardian.

According to the report, Wenger has "lost faith" in the central-defense combination of captain Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker. Wenger reportedly thinks Williams can be a leader for the defense.

Arsenal would bid £8 million. Liverpool are also thought to be interested.

Williams, 28, has made 27 appearances this season for Swansea. He serves as captain for both Swansea and Wales. 

Sergio Busquets: Barcelona Missing Manager Tito Vilanova

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Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets says the team misses manager Tito Vilanova (via Marca).

Vilanova, 44, is currently away from the team while he receives treatment for throat cancer (per BBC Sport). Barcelona have struggled in his absence, losing three of their last four matches, including twice last week to rivals Real Madrid.

"When the gaffer isn't here, everyone misses him," Busquets said. "You notice his absence, and daily life is tougher. We all have to do more of our share." 

Chelsea to Move for Mario Gomez?

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Chelsea could move for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez this summer, according to German sources cited by talkSPORT.

Gomez, a 27-year-old German international, would provide additional competition for Fernando Torres following the signing of Demba Ba in January.

Limited by injuries this season, Gomez has scored six goals in 12 Bundesliga appearances. 

Gareth Bale to Stay with Tottenham Pending Champions League Qualification?

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Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale is ready to stay with Tottenham Hotspur this summer if Spurs qualify for the UEFA Champions League via the Premier League this season, according to a Goal.com exclusive.

Bale, 23, has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants reportedly ready to bid £50 million. Bale has scored 16 Premier League goals this season in 24 appearances.

According to the report, Bale is also ready to discuss a contract extension that would tie him to Tottenham until 2018. 

Juventus Open to Selling Mirko Vucinic to Manchester United?

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Juventus could be willing to sell striker Mirko Vucinic to Manchester United, according to Italian reports cited by talkSPORT.

Vucinic, a 29-year-old Montenegro international, joined Juventus from AS Roma in 2011. He has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season.

Spain international striker Fernando Llorente is set to join Juventus in the summer, and the Bianconeri will reportedly shake up their attack. Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Matri are also thought to be for sale. 

Douglas Wants to Join Inter Milan?

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Twente defender Douglas wants to join Inter Milan this summer, according to quotes attributed to his representative (via Sky Sports).

Douglas, 25, has made 24 league appearances for Twente this season, scoring once. Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala reportedly made a bid for him last month.

"It is good that a top club like Anzhi made an offer to Douglas, but he wants to play in Serie A," representative Marcos Paulo Ribeiro told Izvestia. "And when Inter showed interest in the player, we decided to stop negotiations with the Russian club and wait for the summer transfer market." 

Quick Kicks

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Juventus could ship on-loan striker Nicklas Bendtner back to Arsenal after Bendtner was arrested for drunk driving (via Daily Mirror).

Dutch international midfielder Wesley Sneijder says Inter Milan's demands kept him from joining Manchester United in 2010 (via Sky Sports).

Inter Milan are planning an £8 million bid for Tottenham Hotspur's English international winger Aaron Lennon, according to Metro. Lennon was also linked with Inter last August (via Football Italia).

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini says Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ruining Javier Pastore's career at PSG because Ibrahimovic "is jealous" (via Football Italia).

Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar wants to finish his career with Schalke (via talkSPORT).

Tottenham and Arsenal will compete with Fiorentina for Feyenoord's Dutch midfielder Jordy Clasie (via talkSPORT).

Rafa Benitez is to remain Chelsea's interim manager for the rest of the season, according to a club executive (via The Guardian). 

 

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