Transfer gossip: Real Rafa in reds rebel Raheem raid

Sterling Bernabound

Your mornings wouldn't be complete without a story about Raheem Sterling's future cluttering up your breakfast table. Today's instalment via the Mirror suggests that Rafael Benitez wants to sign the wantaway scallywag for Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. That the Rubenesque Iberian attendant isn't yet the manager of Real is neither hither nor thither - BECAUSE TRANSFER GOSSIP WAITS FOR NO MAN. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1D9wWxd2w

Silver Line-Ings

There's better news for Koppites in the London Evening Standard, who report that Burnley marksman Danny Ings has his heart set on Anfield. The 22-year-old stuck in a 42-year-old's face is a wanted man, and Hotspurs of Tottenham are just one club doing the wanting. It's no chuffing use though, because young/old Danny is absolutely adamant that Liverpool's where he belongs, in his Mersey paradise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tul76y8cNoQ

Balotelling fibs

The increasingly likely arrival of Ings begs the question: What now for that zany madcap prankster Mario Balotelli? There's decidedly mixed messages emanating from Anfield, as Balotelli's agent seems to be either disingenuous or deluded about the Italian's fate. Mino Raiola insists the player has a future at Liverpool, whereas the Guardian report that the red men are eager to cut their losses on the maverick bantersaurus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVueJtckbtg

Something from the dessert menu, sir?

*Manchester United want to recoup most of the £59.7m they spent on Angel Di Maria if the player is to leave Old Trafford. (Daily Mirror) *West Ham's hopes of tempting Marcelo Bielsa away from Marseille have been dealt a blow as the Argentine is negotiating a new deal with the Frenchies. (Telegraph) *Roberto Mancini is set to make a personal call to old flame Yaya Toure in order to convince him to join Inter Milan. (Daily Mail) *Derby County want to sign Darren Bent and Thomas Ince on permanent deals following their loan spells at Pride Park. (Derby Evening Telegraph)