Football rumours from today's newspapers

• Real Madrid defender Pepe is stalling on a new deal in Spain as he is aware Chelsea are interested in him.
  (talkSPORT)


• Zoltan Gera is ready to leave Fulham on a free transfer in the summer, with Newcastle, Stoke and Birmingham all interested in the 31-year-old Hungarian midfielder.
  (Daily Mail)


• Arsenal are keeping tabs on Omar Salgado, a 17-year-old Mexican striker at Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps.
  (The Mirror)


• The Gunners are also interested in Paris Saint Germain defender Mamadou Sakho who is in talks over a new contract in the French capital.
  (Inside Futbol)


• Chelsea may add 23-year-old Napoli striker Edinson Cavani to their squad in the summer as manager Carlo Ancelotti seeks to bring in younger players to an ageing squad.
  (Caught Offside)


• Leicester hope to sign Chelsea defender Jeffrey Bruma on loan following the Blues' deadline day capture of Benfica centre-back David Luiz.
  (The Sun)

• The timing of former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres' request for a move - three days before the end of the transfer window - was dictated by Liverpool. The Reds wanted to tie up the signing of Luis Suarez before allowing the Spaniard, who has joined Chelsea, to depart.
  (The Sun)


• Liverpool tried and failed to get a gentleman's agreement included in the contract of Torres stating that the Spaniard would not play against them on Sunday when the Reds visit Stamford Bridge. Full story: the Guardian Liverpool have denied seeking any such arrangement and instead are concentrating on getting striker Luis Suarez's paperwork in order in time for the Uruguayan to play against Stoke on Wednesday evening.
  (The Independent)


• Manchester City's Mario Balotelli could be fit for the derby with Manchester United on 12 February, having overcome the knee injury that has kept him out since Christmas.
  (Daily Mail)


• Arsenal playmaker Samir Nasri, who has 18 months to run on his current contract, will accept a five-year extension, guaranteeing him a weekly wage of £75,000.
  (The Sun)


• Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric is likely to miss Tottenham's next two matches - away to Blackburn and at home to Bolton - after undergoing surgery for an appendicitis.
  (Four Four Two)


• Spurs defender William Gallas is close to agreeing a new two-year deal with the White Hart Lane side.
  (The Sun)


• Newcastle manager Alan Pardew concedes his team are "vulnerable" after the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool.
  (The Mirror)


• The Premier League says there is no likelihood of the transfer window being scrapped, despite criticism by the League Managers' Association.
  (Daily Telegraph)


• Wolves striker Steven Fletcher may have played his last game for Scotland after reportedly rejecting a call-up to the latest squad in a text message.
  (Daily Mail)


• West Ham striker Benni McCarthy has turned down the offer of a £1m pay-off in return for tearing up his contract. The South African has made 14 appearances since arriving at Upton Park in January 2010.
  (Daily Telegraph)

• Fernando Torres's father Jose says he sympathises with disillusioned Liverpool fans following his son's move to Chelsea.
  (The Mirror)


• Former Liverpool midfielder Ryan Babel, who was punished for unflattering comments on Twitter about referee Howard Webb, used the social networking site to say thank you to Liverpool fans after his move to Hoffenheim.
  (Daily Mail)