Saturday's gossip column

[James]

Newcastle will appoint a director of football to operate above Graeme Souness if he refuses to resign in the next 24 hours. (News of the World)

Roy Keane will be asked to make another international comeback by Ireland boss Steve Staunton. (News of the World)

Bolton have ruled out a permanent move for Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, who is on loan. (Various)

Blackburn want on-loan Arsenal midfielder David Bentley on a full-time contract.(News of the World)

Manchester United's injury-hit striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been offered a new £2m deal. (Various)

Man City's Robbie Fowler is visiting a top German specialist to save his career. (Sunday Mirror)

Chelsea full-back Glen Johnson has been given six months to clean up his act or face the boot. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has rejected a £4.5m move to struggling Middlesbrough and will be rewarded with a new contract. (Sunday Mirror)

Middlesbrough have made an inquiry after Barcelona's out of contract utility man Gabri. (News of the World)

Newcastle's injury-plagued midfielder Kieron Dyer could return to first-team action next month. (The People)

Crystal Palace are set to make a bid for Birmingham's Aussie winger Stan Laziridis. (Various)

Tottenham Hotspur are lining up a summer swoop for Bordeaux's 21-year-old striker Marouane Chamakh. (News of the World)

Aston Villa are the subject of a takeover bid by Norwegian businessman Peter Vidmar. (Sunday Mirror)

Norwich are keen to sign Coventry City's 23-year-old striker Gary McSheffrey. (The People)

Portsmouth want to sign Senegal defender Souleymane Diawara from French club Sochaux. (The People)

Blackburn's 35-year-old Turkish midfielder Tugay has been offered the chance to finish his career at Gulf State club Qatar SC. (The People)

Fulham boss Chris Coleman is planning a £1.8m move for Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown. (The People)

Charlton are considering a move for unsettled Aston Villa left-back JLloyd Samuel. (The People)

Everton want to sign Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka on loan for the rest of the season. (The People)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told his Premiership rivals midfielder Kieran Richardson is not for sale. (Sunday Express)

Blackburn are set to offer a six-month contract to Uruguayan midfielder Gonzalo de los Santos. (Daily Star)

Bolton midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha could leave the Reebok at the end of the season to play in Qatar. (Daily Star)