Midweek football stories and gossip: 01/12/21

Let's have a look at some football gossip from around Europe

Mancini to Old Trafford?

Italy head coach and former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has emerged as a candidate to be appointed Manchester United manager next summer. The former City manager is reportedly interested in getting back into club football. It remains to be seen whether he would carry on as manager of Italy throughout the Qatar World Cup should they qualify.

Barcelona looking to re-build

Barcelona has offered Manchester United the opportunity to sign Brazil winger Philippe Coutinho. He would become one of very few players to play for both Liverpool and Manchester United.

It has been reported that Barcelona have a "total agreement" in place to sign Manchester City and Spain forward Ferran Torres, 21, but hope City will lower their asking price of  around £60m. Would he leave Manchester for Barcelona and then be part of the huge regeneration project under Xavi. 

More news from around the Premier League

Chelsea and Liverpool are both eyeing a move for 22-year-old Barcelona and Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo.

Ajax want to sign Tottenham and Netherlands forward Steven Bergwijn on loan. The winger has only played 5 Premier League games this season. 

Flamengo and Brazil forward Gabriel Barbosa wants a return to Europe with Arsenal, West Ham and Newcastle keen on the 25-year-old who had spells with Inter Milan and Benfica. 

Chelsea have received a transfer boost with Juventus having pulled out of the running to sign Monaco's France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

Manchester City have stepped up their efforts to extend the contract of Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez, 30, who has 18 months left on his current deal.