World Football Gossip Roundup: Alex Song, Falcao, Tim Krul, Victor Valdes

After spending much of the season on the bench at Barcelona, Alexandre Song is apparently feeling homesick for North London.
Song, who joined Barca from Arsenal last summer, is reportedly eyeing a move back to the Gunners. That story leads this Thursday edition of the Sportunes World Football Gossip Roundup, which also includes news on Tim Krul, Manuel Pellegrini, Victor Valdes, Radamel Falcao and more

ALEX SONG BACK TO ARSENAL?                                                   

 Midfielder Alexandre Song has grown frustrated at Barcelona and is considering a return to Arsenal, according to his cousin Rigobert (via Metro).
Song, 25, joined Barcelona from Arsenal last summer in a £17 million transfer. He has made 15 league appearances this season, scoring once.

Song's cousin is quoted as saying: "Barcelona put so much effort into signing him last summer, and Alex turned down many great teams in order to sign with them. But this season he has only been a substitute. He is not happy."

He added: "At Arsenal he was a leader on and off the field—he doesn’t feel like this in Spain and it makes him feel bad."

Inter and Manchester City are also thought to be interested.

In other Arsenal news, former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, 27, is reportedly interested in joining the Gunners (via The Sun). He currently plays for Lille in France's Ligue 1.

AC MILAN WANT TIM KRUL?

                                 
AC Milan are planning a £12 million bid for Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul, according to the Daily Mail.

Krul, 25, played 24 league matches this season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He is under contract with Newcastle until 2017.

Milan are also thought to be interested in QPR's Julio Cesar.









CHELSEA CLOSING IN ON PELEGRINI?

 Chelsea have spoken with a representative of Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini about Chelsea's open managerial position, according to The Guardian.

According to the report, an adviser of Pellegrini met with Chelsea officials this week about the job. Interim manager Rafa Benitez has said he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season.

Pellegrini, 59, led Malaga to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals this season. The Chilean, who reportedly speaks "good English," previously managed Real Madrid from 2009-10.

Chelsea will reportedly wait to appoint a new manager until the squad has secured a top-four finish and thus a place in next season's Champions League.

VICTOR VALDEZ STAYING WITH BARCELONA?



Barcelona vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu says goalkeeper Victor Valdes will not be sold this summer (via ESPN FC).

Valdes, 31, has said he will not sign a new contract when his current deal expires in 2014. Arsenal, Liverpool, PSG and others have been linked with the Spanish international.
Valdes has played 27 league matches this season.

“We would prefer for him to stay until 2014 than to sell him this summer,” Bartomeu said. “We have no fixed date in this case—one option is that he sees out his contract. So we would not sign a new keeper.” 

FALCAO PLAYS DOWN MANCHESTER UNITED TALK

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao says he is unaware of interest from Manchester United (via ESPN.co.uk).
Falcao, a 27-year-old Colombian international, has scored 24 goals in 28 league appearances this season. His performances have reportedly drawn interest from several top clubs, with United thought to be among them.   Falcao said:                                                                                                                                                                                  

'I do not really know where that information has come from. I have three years of my contract left, and then we will see what the club arrange and if there needs to be some change. We will see what my future is, but at the moment I am only thinking about Atletico'

                         QUICKIES

                   

Russian Premier League club Anzhi Makhachkala want to re-sign defender Christopher Samba (pictured) from QPR, months after selling him to the same club (via Daily Star).

Manchester City executive Patrick Vieira says he hopes Samir Nasri will stay with the club this summer despite rumors of being targeted by PSG (via ESPN FC).

Vieira also says Juventus' French international midfielder Paul Pogba is better at age 20 than Vieira himself was (via Football Italia).

Paraguayan forward Roque Santa Cruz, who has been on loan with Malaga from Manchester City, is in talks over a move to Botafogo in Brazil (via Daily Mail).

Netherlands forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel's transfer to Norwich City could be canceled if the Canaries are relegated from the Premier League (via Daily Mail).

Wigan want to sign Deportivo La Coruña striker Riki, 32 (via The Sun).

Ajax have denied reports that they have agreed to sell Christian Eriksen to Liverpool this summer (via Sky Sports).