World Football Gossip Roundup: Hazard, Messi, M'Vila, Giroud, Ranieri, Mancini

Eden Hazard has finally made up his mind. Sort of.

Arsenal finally have their new midfield enforcer. Well, almost.

Spurs finally beat their North London rivals at something. Actually, not yet.

It's all part of your Wednesday B/R World Football Gossip Roundup. Inside, we also have news on the European coaching carousel, Eljero Elia and Yaya Toure.

Have another hot rumor? Leave it in the comments.

Eden in Blue

Uber transfer target Eden Hazard (henceforth known as UTTEH) of Lille will "definitely" wear blue next season. So says UTTEH.

Via Mirror Football:

"

Hazard is set to leave French club Lille this summer and the winger claims he will be heading to the English top flight.

Ferguson and Mancini are fighting it out for the £25million-rated youngster and the player claims he will be wearing BLUE next season.

"I have already said that my wish is to go to the Premier League," Hazard said. "It's the blue that I'll be wearing next season. Definitely the blue."

"

True, Manchester City's main color is blue.

Chelsea also wear blue, of course. But don't tell UTTEH that.

M'Vila Deal All but Done?

There's another big transfer target in France, and his name is Yann M'Vila. According to reports, Arsenal have agreed upon a fee with Rennes to sign the midfielder.

From Metro:

"

The 21-year-old, who also has strong interest from Inter Milan, told Rennes of his desire to quit the club earlier this season, and according to reports in France, Arsenal have agreed terms on a £17 million transfer, with the details set to be concluded in the summer.

The news brings to an end Wenger's 12-month chase for M'Vila, with tentative enquiries being held last August, before Rennes pulled the plug, and the Gunners were forced to look elsewhere.

"

In other Arsenal news, the Gunners are reportedly chasing Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

Giroud to Bayern?

Staying with the French theme, our next rumor subject is French international Olivier Giroud of Montpellier.

Giroud has been chased by Arsenal and other English clubs, but reports indicate that Giroud's agent has held talks with Bayern Munich over a summer move.

From Goal.com:

"

"I haven't spoken with Bayern Munich personally, but my agent has been in touch with them," the France international was quoted as saying by Sport Bild.

"Bayern Munich are very well known in France because of all the positive experiences other French players have had there. They have all said how well they were received at Bayern, and how happy they were at the club."

"

Bayern Munich are very well known everywhere, Ollie.

Messi in Race Row?

So, what's all this about Lionel Messi and Royston Drenthe?

I have no clue, really, so I'll just let the Daily Mail explain.

"

The world's best footballer Lionel Messi has been dragged into a race row by axed Everton midfielder Royston Drenthe.

Dutchman Drenthe, who has effectively cut short a disappointing spell at Goodison Park, is officially owned by Real Madrid, and came up against Messi during his time in Spain. 

It is then that the Holland international alledges he was called a 'negro' by the FIFA world player of the year, the same claims laid at Luis Suarez, another South American, by Patrice Evra. 

"

Uh oh. Guilty or not, I don't see this ending well.

Ranieri or Hughton?

The coaching carousel continues to spin as Roy Hodgson prepares to officially leave West Bromwich Albion for the England job.

Taking his place could be former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Claudio Ranieri (pictured). That's according to the Daily Mail.

But according to the Daily Telegraph, West Brom will also talk to Chris Hughton, who currently manages Birmingham City.

Spurs Win Vertonghen Race?

Tottenham Hotspur appear to have beaten Arsenal in the race for Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen.

Goal.com reports that Tottenham and Ajax "expect to reach an agreement" this week.

"

It is understood that the defender, who was named Eredivisie player of the year, wants to join Spurs irrespective of whether they play in next season’s Champions League.

“Vertonghen has made his mind up and his move to Spurs could all be agreed within the next few days,” a source told Goal.com.

It will come as a blow to Arsenal, who have been tracking the Belgian centre-back for two years and had earmarked him as one of their primary defensive targets this summer.

But Vertonghen has settled on Spurs because he believes he will be able to play more regularly in his favourite centre-back position for a Champions League calibre club.

"

Has he seen Arsenal's defense? He'd get plenty of playing time.

Liverpool Want Eljero Again?

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool are once again interested in Dutch winger Eljero Elia, who has failed to make an impression at Juventus.

"

Liverpool were keen on the 25-year-old before he opted for Italy but they may get a second chance to land him considering his desire to leave.

"I want to leave Juventus. I want to enjoy playing football again. I remained quiet all year and was always positive towards the club and the team, but I never got a chance to prove my worth," Elia told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

"I didn't play much and consequently miss out on Euro 2012. It's fair to say this season has been a failure. It's really hurt me, but I've become stronger mentally.

"I'm 25 now and I still have a long career ahead of me. I came from far, but I will have to start all over again."

"

Well, Eljero, Liverpool will be doing the same thing this offseason, methinks.

Yaya Hearts Barca

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has dropped a hint about his love for Spanish mega-club Barcelona.

And, well, it's not very subtle.

From Goal.com:

"

"I would love to return to Barcelona and finish my playing career there. If they called me, I would not think twice about it," he said in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC1.

"I love the city, and Barca has been the most important club for me. I love Barcelona.

"In the press conference I did when I left, I said I would return. In life you never know what will happen tomorrow. If I could return, it would be great."

"

Toure spent three seasons at Barcelona before joining Manchester City in a €30-million deal in 2010.

Mancini Payday?

Toure's manager, Italian Roberto Mancini, is reportedly set for a huge new deal with Manchester City after the season.

That's according to The Sun, at least.

"

Manchester City want to celebrate Premier League glory by handing Roberto Mancini a whopping new £22million contract.

Mancini’s four-year deal will make him the country’s best-paid boss, alongside Alex Ferguson.

City planned to offer Mancini the £2m-a-year pay rise — taking his salary to £5.5m a year — even if they failed to win the title.

"

They're just throwing around cash up there, aren't they?

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