Latestsoccergossip…

Sir Alex Ferguson is contemplating staying away from David Moyes’s first run of matches at Manchester United out of concerns his presence may undermine his successor and potentially increase the pressure on the club’s new manager. ( The Guardian) Liverpool have told 26-year-old striker Luis Suarez he has three weeks to sort out his future after which he will be told to knuckle down and commit himself to the club. (DailyMirror) Chelsea’s reshaping of their squad under manager Jose Mourinho continues, with striker Demba Ba, 29, holding talks with Anzhi Makhachkala. Midfielder John Obi Mikel, 26, will follow him out of Stamford Bridge. (TheTimes) Arsenal are finalising negotiations with Real Madrid for the £22m signing of Gonzalo Higuain, who will become the club’s record signing and highest paid player. (DailyTelegraph) Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed his interest in Leandro Damiao. The 23-year-old Brazil striker has also been linked with Tottenham. (DailyMail) Turkish side Besiktas say they are hopeful of signing Emmanuel Adebayor, 29, after lodging an official bid for the Spurs striker. (Metro) Manchester City are ready to listen to offers for Brazilian right-back Maicon. The 31-year-old is behind Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards in the Etihad pecking order. (DailyMail) Real Madrid central defender Pepe, 30, is understood to be top of new Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini’s list of transfer targets. (TheIndependent) Newcastle United look set to pull out of the race to sign Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone, 29, because he does not fit into the Magpies’ “blueprint”. (NewcastleChronicle) Chelsea and and Tottenham are continuing to monitor Brazil international Hulk, 29, after the Zenit St Petersburg forward confirmed he is aware of the interest from both clubs. (DailyExpress) Former England striker Carlton Cole, 29, who has been released by West Ham, is understood to have held talks with newly promoted Premier League side Crystal Palace. (CroydonAdvertiser) Meanwhile, the Eagles are in talks to sign defender Umaru Bangura, 25, from Norwegian club FK Haugesund. (LondonEveningStandard) Hull City have made a final “take it or leave it” £4m offer to Burnley for their 24-year-old striker Charlie Austin. (Hull DailyMail) Fiorentina have signed veteran Italian midfielder Massimo Ambrosini, 36, whose contract with AC Milan has just ended after 18 years with the club. (Sport24.com) Malaga have announced the signing of Ivorian Bobley Anderson, 21, from Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca on a five-year deal. ( Malaga-basednewspaper MalagaHoy) Slovenian international Bojan Jokic, 27, has signed with Villarreal, leaving AC Chievo Verona. (Marca) Spartak Moscow’s

Argentine defender Nicolas Pareja, 29, is to go on loan to Sevilla for one year. (ABC) Roma have agreed to extend the loan of Jose Angel, 23, to Real Sociedad by one year. (LaGazzettadelloSport) Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, 48, says he is still baffled by his sacking but hinted his relationship with chief executive Ferran Soriano played a part in his exit. (Manchester EveningNews) Chelsea believe new Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel can become Frank Lampard’s eventual successor in the Blues midfield. (DailyMirror) Stoke striker Peter Crouch enjoys celebrating his goals by dancing – but almost dropped wife Abbey Clancy after the 6ft 7in star hoisted her onto his shoulders while on the dance floor on holiday in Ibiza. (DailyMirror) Recently retired ex-England captain David Beckham has many career highlights to look back on – and now he will not forget any of them after they were immortalised in Lego. (Metro)