Wednesday's gossip: Mourinho, Pochettino, Rabiot, Morata, Isco

Football gossip

Mourinho and Man Utd

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to be considered as a replacement for the sacked Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, even though the Old Trafford club would have to pay Spurs £34m in compensation. (Times - subscription required)external-link

Pochettino does not have a release clause in the new five-year contract he signed in May, meaning United might have to pay as much as £40m for the Argentine. (Mail)external-link

United have also targeted Paul Mitchell - who worked with Pochettino at Southampton and Spurs before going to RB Leipzig - to become director of football in their new management structure. (Star)external-link

If the move for Pochettino fails, United will go for Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone. (Times - subscription required)external-link

France midfielder Paul Pogba will be fined by Manchester United after a post - which was construed by many as welcoming Mourinho's dismissal - appeared on his social media accounts shortly after the news broke. (Mail)external-link

Real Madrid head coach Santiago Solari says he is not concerned by speculation linking Mourinho with his job. (Sky Sports)external-link

Mourinho's 895-day stay at The Lowry hotel in Salford cost £537,000. (Guardian)external-link

As many as 90% of Manchester United players were against Mourinho - and even those who liked him felt it was time for change. (Independent)external-link

Sir Alex Ferguson's long-time assistant Mike Phelan will return to Old Trafford alongside caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. (Telegraph)external-link

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will be a leading contender to take over at Tottenham if Mauricio Pochettino leaves for Manchester United. (Mail)external-link

Other gossip

Chelsea will attempt to beat Arsenal and Manchester City to the signing of Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco by making a £70m bid for the Spain international, 26, on Wednesday. (Sun)external-link

The Blues are also targeting Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, but will have to pay up to £35m for the 26-year-old England international. (Mirror)external-link

Chelsea's Spain striker Alvaro Morato, 26, would "return to Italy in a heartbeat", with a move to AC Milan reportedly on the cards. (Sun)external-link

Paris St-Germain will not let Liverpool target Adrien Rabiot leave on a free transfer at the end of the season after he refused to extend his deal - so will look to sell the 23-year-old France midfielder in January. (L'Equipe - in French)external-link

Crystal Palace are keen to sign Liverpool and England striker Dominic Solanke, 21, on loan in January. (Evening Standard)external-link

Atletico Madrid are unlikely to renew the contract of Filipe Luis, 33, the Brazil and former Chelsea left-back. (Marca)external-link

Brazil defender Rafinha, 25, could head for China when his contract at Barcelona expires in the summer. (Kicker)external-link

Everton are looking to sell striker Oumar Niasse, 28, in the January transfer window, with Cardiff City interested in the Senegal forward. (Liverpool Echo)external-link

Fulham and England Under-21 goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, 26, is being tracked by fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton. (Mail)external-link

Championship leaders Leeds United could move for Newcastle United's 28-year-old English goalkeeper Karl Darlow in January. (Yorkshire Evening Post)external-link

Guardian
Guardian's back page on Wednesday

Also in Sport

Elsewhere on the BBC