GOSSIP ROUNDUP

WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says Neymar, 22, feared he was paralysed when the Barcelona forward sustained the back injury that ended his World Cup. Guardian

Chelsea winger Willian, 25, believes he can fill the void left by Neymar's absence and help Brazil to World Cup success. Daily Mirror 

Netherlands winger Arjen Robben, 30, says he is tired of people criticising him after he admitted diving during the last-16 win against Mexico. Daily Mail 

Netherlands keeper Tim Krul came on specifically for his country's penalty shootout win over Costa Rica and his former Newcastle manager - Glenn Roeder - says the 26-year-old is not averse to taking a spot-kick as well as saving them. Daily Express 

Krul came on for 25-year-old Jasper Cillessen, who says he was not told about Dutch coach Louis van Gaal's decision to replace him for the penalty shootout and was "angry" at the decision. Daily Telegraph 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal have renewed their interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender, 25, with Arsene Wenger also closing in on the signings of Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez, 25, and Newcastle full-back Mathieu Debuchy, 28. Daily Telegraph 

The Gunners have agreed a £34m fee for Sanchez but Barcelona are waiting to see if Italian club Juventus can match the offer. Liverpool are also interested in the forward but he is not keen on joining the Reds. Daily Mail 

Manchester United have been told they must increase their offer for Feyenoord defender Daryl Janmaat, 24. Metro 

Meanwhile, Red Devils winger Nani, 27, could play a key role in the club's pursuit of 27-year-old Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal. Manchester Evening News 

Southampton are set to make an £8m offer for Cardiff City's 29-year-old goalkeeper David Marshall. Daily Mail 

Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says captain Steven Caulker, 22, will decide if he wants to join Queens Park Rangers after the clubs agreed a fee. Daily Express 

West Bromwich Albion could complete their third summer signing in the coming days with defender Chris Baird, 32, in advanced talks. Birmingham Mail 

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman plans to replace left-back Luke Shaw, who has joined Manchester United, with Colombia's 27-year-old Pablo Armero. Daily Mirror 

Ashley Cole is a free agent after his contract at Chelsea came to an end and the 33-year-old left-back is in talks with several European clubs as he decides on his next move. Talksport  

Hull City are expected to beat Crystal Palace, QPR and West Ham to the £4m signing of Tottenham defender Michael Dawson. The Sun (subscription required) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Louis van Gaal plans to bring his Netherlands World Cup tactics to Manchester United by playing 3-4-3 next season. Daily Mirror 

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 21, says he has a decision to make about his future at Chelsea this summer. Guardian 

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Monaco are interested in Newcastle's 24-year-old French midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who is also being chased by Liverpool. L'Equipe (in French) 

Arsenal, Tottenham, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund are the top contenders for Southampton's 24-year-old French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin. L'Equipe 

Liverpool are eager to sell Daniel Agger and have offered the 29-year-old defender to Spanish giants Barcelona. Mundodeportivo (in Spanish) 

Manchester United and Paris St-Germain are willing to pay £47m for Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria. AS.com (in Spanish) 

Italian side Fiorentina could target Manchester United's 26-year-old Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Lefigaro (in French) 

Manchester City's high asking price for striker Alvaro Negredo, 28, has prompted Atletico Madrid to look elsewhere and the Spanish club have made a £14m offer for Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic, 28. Marca (in Spanish) 

Monaco have asked Real Madrid to pay £63m if they want to sign Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez, 22. As.com 

Veteran Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, 43, has announced his retirement from football after his country's exit from the World Cup. Bild (in German) 

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi is concerned he will not get the right price for Arsenal target Mario Balotelli following the 23-year-old Italian striker's lacklustre performance at the World Cup. Bild 

Former Swansea boss Michael Laudrup, who has recently taken over at Qatari club Lekhwiya, wants to sign Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, 34. Marca 

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Belgium striker Divock Origi, 19, believes he will take away some important lessons from Brazil, tweeting:  "Proud to be able to represent my country at the World Cup, It was a great learning experience! Thanks."

Brazil defender Dante, 30, is looking forward to the World Cup semi-final against Germany, tweeting:  "We trained hard today to play Germany in the Fifa World Cup. We will be ready on Tuesday!"

AND FINALLY

Colombia celebrated their return home from the World Cup in the same memorable style as they did most of goals in Brazil. Metro