Sunday's transfer gossip

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are firmly at the front of the queue to land Robin van Persie, 28, if Arsenal are forced to sell their star striker.

Swansea are looking to break their transfer record by signing on-loan Hoffenheim striker Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, for £7m.

Champions Manchester City lead the chase to prise Sunderland star Stephane Sessegnon, 27, away from the Stadium of Light.

The loan switch of Fabio da Silva, 21, to Benfica has hit a snag — with QPR keen to step in to land the Manchester United defender.

Chelsea are set to sign Netherlands international defender Gregory van der Wiel, 24, from Ajax Amsterdam for £8m.

Arsenal, Tottenham and QPR are all on red alert after Alessandro Del Piero, 37, admitted he will never join another Serie A side.

Spurs have had a £14m bid for Internacional striker Leandro Damiao, 22, rejected as Harry Redknapp steps up his efforts to strengthen his forward line.

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has told the club they should sign France international Yann M'Vila, 21, if they want to keep star striker Robin van Perse.

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea's Champions League-winning caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo has emerged as a front-runner to take over as Aston Villa manager.

Di Matteo and his assistant, Eddie Newton, are being kept in the dark over their futures as Chelsea make one last attempt to lure Pep Guardiola to Stamford Bridge.

Gareth Barry fears he may be ruled out of Euro 2012 by a groin injury after being forced off after 28 minutes of the England's win over Norway in Oslo.

England will take on old rivals Scotland at Wembley next summer as part of the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is determined to tempt Guardiola to west London but his plans could be scuppered by interest from Manchester United as a long-term successor for Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sir Alex is not considering his future as United manager, despite claims by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan that the 70-year-old will retire next season following a health scare last week.

QPR manager Mark Hughes will have the final say on whether Joey Barton has a future at Loftus Road after the midfielder's 12-match suspension.

Liverpool have made the first steps towards appointing Louis van Gaal as sporting director after a meeting with him in Portugal last week.

AND FINALLY

Former West Ham star Tony Cottee wants the Hammers to sign Michael Owen on a free transfer, saying a proven Premier League goalscorer would be ideal for the top-flight newcomers while it would also excite the fans.