FOOTBALL GISTS

West Ham are set to offer Liverpool £10m for striker Andy Carroll. The 24-year-old, on loan at Upton Park, is valued at £17m by the Reds but injuries and his goal return have prompted the Hammers to re-evaluate their bid.

                                               

Liverpool are favourites to sign Swansea defender Ashley Williams, 28, this summer despite interest from Arsenal.

Tottenham are ready to approach Everton midfielder Leon Osman, 31, following the breakdown of contract talks between the England international and the Toffees.

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has shrugged off an argument between Frank Lampard and David Luiz. The pair clashed as they left the pitch at the end of the first half of Chelsea's Europa League tie against Rubin Kazan

Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has thanked the likes for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere for helping fund his treatment for alcohol addiction in the United States.

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness says he would prefer to face German rivals Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final of the Champions League.

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has become a dad. The 25-year-old's girlfriend Daniella Semaan, 37, gave birth to their first child, daughter Lia, on Wednesday as he helped Barcelona knock Paris St Germain out of the Champions League.