World Football Gossip Round-Up: Manchester United, Wesley Sneijder, Gareth Bale
The World Cup qualification campaign might have interrupted club football, but the news machine has not stopped.
Manchester United are reported to have agreed to sign a new defender in the summer, while there are injury concerns for three leading European players after the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Which recently retired international player has targeted a new role as a football agent? And why have Norwich City left tabloid newspaper headline writers rubbing their hands with glee?
Read on to find out more.
Wesley Sneijder
1 of 6Galatasaray are facing an anxious wait on news of midfielder Wesley Sneijder ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Real Madrid on April 3.
The Netherlands midfielder lasted just 36 minutes in the 3-0 win over Estonia in the Group D World Cup qualifier on Friday night due to a groin injury and is not expected to play against Romania on Tuesday.
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal recalled the 28-year-old to his squad for this week's matches but told reporters it is unlikely Sneijder will be fit to face the Romanians in Amsterdam.
Rafael van der Vaart replaced Sneijder and went on to score the opening goal against Estonia before Robin van Persie and Ruben Schaken sealed the win.
Gareth Bale
2 of 6Gareth Bale is also the subject of an injury wait after missing the second half of Wales' win over Scotland with an ankle problem.
The Tottenham winger used his official Twitter account to say he would be fit to face Croatia on Tuesday, and he blamed a stomach illness this week for his early departure from the game on Friday night.
However, Wales manager Chris Coleman was less certain when he met with reporters after the 2-1 victory at Hampden Park.
Theo Walcott
3 of 6A groin injury has also sidelined Arsenal midfielder Theo Walcott after he picked up the injury in training before England's 8-0 win over San Marino.
The 24-year-old will also miss the crucial World Cup qualifier in Montenegro on Tuesday and is set to be sidelined for two weeks, according to the Daily Mail.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has twice been critical of England and manager Roy Hodgson over Jack Wilshere's involvement in friendly matches against Sweden and Brazil this season (Mirror and The Sun) and is unlikely to be too overjoyed at this latest news from the international arena.
Walcott is expected to miss next weekend's Premier League visit of Reading, and Wenger's thoughts will be interesting.
Manchester United
4 of 6Manchester United have agreed to a deal to sign Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay in the summer, reports the Daily Express.
However, this reported deal may be a little premature according to the Mirror, who claim Chelsea are maintaining their interest in the Argentina international.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is considering long-term replacements for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and Garay, 26, is a strong contender.
Michael Owen
5 of 6Former England international Michael Owen has revealed plans to set up his own player management consultancy (Daily Mail).
The 33-year-old, who announced his retirement from football this week, wants to help young players avoid the pitfalls that can befall footballers thrust into the limelight at a tender age.
The ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United striker, who is with Stoke City until the end of the season, wants to use his own experience as a teenager to help youngsters.
Norwich City
6 of 6Norwich City have created a headline writer's dream with their new purchase for next season.
The Carrow Road club have agreed to a reported £8.5 million deal with Portuguese club Sporting to bring Ricky van Wolfswinkel to the club in the summer.
The Netherlands striker will sign a four-year deal from July 1 (BBC Sport), but we suspect the Canary and the Wolf tabloid headlines are already being prepared.
