Gossip Roundup: Dempsey to Arsenal, Punching Balotelli, Real Madrid Want Walker

Friday is always a bumper day for our world football gossip column at Bleacher Report. Today our leading lights include Clint Dempsey, Kyle Walker and—yep, you guessed it—Mario Balotelli.

Dempsey is apparently wanted by a big club in north London who are reportedly ready to pay around £10 million for him.

Spurs full-back Walker is also said to be in demand, with a rather famous Spanish outfit on his tail.

As for Balotelli, it seems his Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini finds the enigmatic striker both hilarious and endlessly maddening at the same time.

That and a couple more tidbits. Here goes with our gossip roundup...

Arsenal Want Clint Dempsey

The Daily Express say Arsenal "could" make a £10 million bid for Fulham's Clint Dempsey this summer.

They say Arsene Wenger was keen on the U.S. international during last summer's window and is ready to renew his interest, having followed Dempsey's impressive 2011-12 season at Craven Cottage.

Dempsey has scored 13 goals in the Premier League this season and enjoyed arguably his best run of form since arriving in England.

Mancini Would Have Punched Balotelli

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini had some fun discussing Mario Balotelli this week.

Here's what he told reporters, in the wake of another eventful seven days in the life of Balotelli—in which the Italian striker crashed his car, was linked to a prostitute and argued with teammate Aleksandar Kolarov over a free-kick:

"

I told him that if you played with me 10 years ago I give you every day maybe one punch in your head.

Mario can be one of the top players in Europe and I work with him every day because I don't want him to lose his talent.

I don't speak with him every day because otherwise I would need a psychologist.

"

Real Madrid Want Kyle Walker

The Daily Star say Real Madrid are intent on signing an English right-back this summer—either Kyle Walker of Spurs or Liverpool's Glen Johnson.

Their report suggests Madrid believe an offer of £16.5 million would be enough to get either man, both of whom they've had watched this season.

The 21-year-old Walker is one of English football's brightest prospects, so Spurs are likely to be very resistant to any approaches this summer.

Ben Foster Wants to Stay at West Brom

Ben Foster has reportedly told West Brom he's keen to stay at the club, regardless of whether his owners Birmingham City earn promotion back to the Premier League.

According to a Mirror exclusive, the 29-year-old former England goalkeeper is enjoying life at The Hawthorns and is pushing for a permanent deal this summer.

Championship club Birmingham are not keen on selling Foster, however, and are still hopeful of getting him back this summer.

I sense some interesting negotiations to follow in that one.

FA Shortlist Not That Short

ESPNsoccernet say the FA are considering candidates other than just Harry Redknapp and Roy Hodgson to become the next England manager.

Redknapp remains the favorite to become Fabio Capello's long-term successor, but the ESPN report says Tottenham will demand a large compensation package to let him go.

Hodgson would be available for free because his contract at West Brom ends in the summer.

But there could yet be a surprise appointment to the role.