TRANSFER RUMOURS and other gossip

Ezequiel Garay has no preferred choice of his next club after reports claimed Manchester United are now the favourites to sign the Racing Santander defender.

Barcelona had previously been expected to sign Garay in the summer for a fee in the region of £14million.

But reports suggest Barcelona no longer want to bring in the Argentine centre-half, prompting speculation that United are now leading the chase.

United scout Martin Ferguson has watched Garay in action on several occasions this season, while Juventus also hold an interest in the 21-year-old.

Garay is remaining calm regarding his future, but acknowledged his wish to play for a big club, if he is offered a move.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is set to swoop for Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who is out of contract in the summer. O'Neill is unwilling to pay Liverpool £10m for on-loan Scott Carson, so he has turned his attention to the 32-year-old Finn instead.

AC Milan plan to hold talks with Chelsea over re-signing Andriy Shevchenko. The Italian giants are also confident they will land Ronaldinho from Barcelona.

However, Ronaldinho's impending transfer from Barcelona to AC Milan could be hijacked by city rivals Inter, who are considering an audacious bid for the Brazilian forward.

Steven Pienaar's permanent move to Everton should be completed in the next 48 hours once Borussia Dortmund confirm receipt of a £2m offer for the South Africa midfielder.

Wigan are ready to move for the West Brom's Zoltan Gera after the Hungarian winger was watched by Latics boss Steve Bruce in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Watford.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez feels his job is under threat because of the Anfield boardroom split. The Spaniard is said to be furious after learning that chief executive Rick Parry met with Jurgen Klinsmann in November to discuss the managerial position.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, who was expected to be out for the season after a freak training-ground accident left him needing 50 stitches and reconstructive surgery on his chin, is set for a shock return against Wigan on Monday night.

The season may be over for Philippe Senderos with the Swiss centre-half said to be "mentally shattered" having broken down in tears after Arsenal's 4-2 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Kevin Keegan will dip into the transfer market this summer for up to five "top, top quality" signings but the Newcastle manager says no player will be worth as much as re-signing Michael Owen on an extended contract.

Having seen his side lose further ground on Liverpool in the race for the final Champions League spot, Everton boss David Moyes has admitted he should never have sold James McFadden to Birmingham in January.