Lukas Podolski, Cristian Tello, Edinson Cavani and World Football Gossip Roundup

Looking for your daily world football gossip? You're in the right place.

The world football rumor mill never stops turning, and today is no exception. Here's a batch of stories you'll probably find interesting no matter which team you support.

If not, feel free to leave your own gossip in the comments, along with all questions and whatever else strikes your fancy.

Lukas Podolski Latest

Yesterday, the Mail Online reported that Arsenal had agreed a deal with FC Cologne to sign German international forward Lukas Podolski for £10.9 million. Podolski would reportedly earn more than £100,000 per week.

Today, the news is basically the same, except that every media outlet on the planet is reporting the story now.

According to the BBC, Lokomotiv Moscow and Anzhi Makhachkala also showed interest in Podolski.

Alex Song and Michael Essien to Juventus?

According to The Sun, Juventus are monitoring midfielders Alex Song of Arsenal and Michael Essien of Chelsea.

The report says Juventus have £18 million to spend. It cites an unnamed source near the club, who said, "We need to back our plans for a strong European campaign by reinforcing the squad in some key positions—and Essien and Song are under review."

Cristian Tello to Leave Barca?

Cristian Tello scored twice in Barcelona's 7-1 destruction of Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the 20-year-old is being linked with half of Europe. Okay, not half of Europe—only Liverpool, Benfica, Malaga and Valencia.

According to InsideFutbol.com, Tello's contract runs out in 2013.

Kaká Staying Put?

According to TalkSport, Brazilian midfielder Kaká wants to stay with Real Madrid. The report says Kaká has just 40 La Liga appearances in three seasons for Real.

Chelsea and Manchester City have reportedly shown interest in the 29-year-old.

"At the end of the season? I want to stay here," Kaká told AS. "I am very sure of that. I am going stay because I want to succeed here."

"Mourinho trusts me here."

Edinson Cavani Staying Put, Too

TalkSport is also reporting that Edinson Cavani will stay in Italy. The 25-year-old striker reportedly has told Chelsea and Manchester City (them again, eh?) that he wants to lead Napoli to glory.

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"My future? I have confidence that the president of Napoli loves me," he told Italian newspaper Il Mattino.

"I find it perfect here. It's perfect to live here and at the moment I am great personally. I do not want to pay attention to the market rumours.

"My dream is to win the Champions League (with Napoli)."

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No Benitez at the Bridge

You've got to hand it to Chelsea fans—they tell you how they feel.

Latest example: Chelsea fans told ownership during Tuesday's FA Cup win over Birmingham what they thought of Rafa Benitez potentially taking over as manager.

In short, not much.

From the Mail Online:

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Opposition to Benitez from Chelsea fans stems from the bitter relationship between him and Jose Mourinho who both arrived in England in 2004 and became locked in rivalry as their teams met regularly in cup competitions.

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Ezekiel Fryers to Sign New United Deal?

Manchester United lost teenage midfielder Paul Pogba to Juventus on Wednesday. Now United reportedly want to tie down 19-year-old defender Ezekiel Fryers to a new contract.

The People reports Tottenham have shown interest in Fryers.

Blackpool's Insulting Offer

Poor Robbie Fowler.

Blackpool reportedly offered the former Liverpool great £100 per week—not £100,000 per week—to play for them. The proposed deal would have included £5,000 per first-team appearance.

Unsurprisingly, Fowler has turned them down.

No Penalty for Fernando Torres

Never mind Robbie Fowler. Poor Fernando Torres.

The Spanish forward just can't buy a break. According to several reports, including this one from The Guardian, Torres turned down the chance to take a penalty against Birmingham on Tuesday night in the FA Cup.

Glen Johnson Says Crazy Things

The Suarez-Evra race row won't die.

According to the Mail Online, Glen Johnson declared that Patrice Evra didn't actually want to shake Luis Suarez's hand at the infamous Manchester United-Liverpool match last month.

Sure he didn't, Glen.

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