Transfer gossip: Man United and Real Madrid in deadlock over stars

Gathering Ramos

We're not sure where exactly the tipping point is between 'transfer story' and 'transfer saga' but the Ramos/De Gea affair is verging towards the latter. The latest is there's no real latest. Manchester United and Real Madrid are stuck at an impasse and neither seems willing to relent. The Mirror report that United will only increase their Ramos bid if Real do the same for De Gea. And so it rumbles on...

London Cabaye

You know what they say about Alan Pardew - once you go Pards, you never go back. Okay, so they don't say that but they should. One player who flourished under the silver fox was French midfielder Yohan Cabaye, whom Pardew tutored whilst at Newcastle United. The Guardian reckon Crystal Palace are in talks with Paris St-Germain about signing 29-year-old and reuniting Yohan with his former mentor.

Colour me Badu

Mark Hughes has changed the perception of Stoke City somewhat by doing away with long ball football for a more expansive style. It has helped him attract some big names to the Britannia, but none as big as his newest target - Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. The magnificently named Ghanian midfielder currently plies his trade with Udinese, but the Star report that £4.4m will be enough to secure his services.

Bonus features

*Stoke's Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has his heart set on joining Chelsea's bench. (Mirror) *Manchester City are considering Napoli's Marek Hamsik as an alternative to first-choice targets Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne. (Sun) *City are planning to replace manager Manuel Pellegrini with Pep Guardiola in 12 months' time (Star) *Aston Villa want to sign free-agent Esteban Cambiasso after his contract at Leicester City expired. (Sun)