Football gossip: Guardiola, Gotze, Pope, Shaqiri, Ronaldo, Fekir, Pogba,

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed Yaya Toure’s claim that the Spaniard “has a problem with African players”, saying “it’s a lie and he knows it”. (Marca)

Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Mario Gotze, 26, will not rule out the possibility of a reunion with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. (DAZN, via Independent)

Lyon pulled out of a deal to sell Nabil Fekir to Liverpool after the Reds reportedly tried to get the 24-year-old France playmaker for a reduced fee following the results of his medical. (Sunday Mirror)

Liverpool are set to bid £15m for 26-year-old Burnley and England goalkeeper Nick Pope. (Sun on Sunday)

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is being considered by Leicester City as a possible replacement for Claude Puel. (Sun on Sunday)

Real Madrid have offered forward Cristiano Ronaldo a contract worth £28.5m a year but it may not be enough the 33-year-old Portugal international at the Bernabeu. (Cadena COPE, via Sunday Express)

Stoke’s Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri, 26, has remained coy over his future and has not ruled out a move to Liverpool. (Metro)

Arsenal are ready to move for Sampdoria’s 22-year-old Uruguayan defensive midfielder Lucas Torreira. (Calciomercato Sampdoria, via Star on Sunday)

Manchester City may switch their attention to Nice and Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Michael Seri, 26, as Napoli refuse to budge on their £60m valuation of 26-year-old Italy international Jorginho. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester United have been linked with Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic but the 23-year-old Serbia international says he will decide “where to continue my career” after the World Cup in Russia. (Mail on Sunday)

Tottenham are considering a move for Aston Villa’s 22-year-old former England Under-21 midfielder Jack Grealish. (Sky Sports)

Wolves are to step up their preparations for a return to the Premier League with a move for 18-year-old French defender Imrane Bouchema, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Tours. (L’Equipe, via Birmingham Mail)

West Brom have made a £10m double bid to sign Bristol City’s English attacker Bobby Reid, 25, and 26-year-old Brentford and St Kitts and Nevis midfielder Romaine Sawyers as they prepare for the Championship. (Sunday Telegraph)

Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba, 25, has been warned he had “better stay” by one of the club’s most famous fans – former sprinter Usain Bolt. (Manchester Evening News)

Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah has not forgiven Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos after the Spaniard’s challenge forced him off during the Champions League final. (Marca, via Mail on Sunday)

Everton director of football Marcel Brands is confident the Toffees can avoid the problems they had in the transfer market last summer – and says the club’s youth academy will play a prominent role in future transfer planning. (Liverpool Echo)

Aston Villa will hold talks over their financial problems this week, with the Championship club facing a £4.5m tax and wages bill later this month and under pressure to reduce their wage bill by £15m. (Sunday Telegraph)

England have kept clean sheets against Brazil and Germany in recent matches and Manchester City defender John Stones, 24, says “maybe people need to do a bit more research and stop judging us too much” over concerns about the team’s defence. (Observer)

  • Saturday’s gossip column

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