Football rumours from today's newspapers.

• Former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira has been offered £100,000 a week by Birmingham as they try to sign the Frenchman from Inter Milan. (The Sun)



• Birmingham want Arsenal left-back Armand Traore on a season-long loan. (The Sun)



• Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey could be set for a £4m move to Everton after turning down the offer of a new contract at Craven Cottage. (The Sun)



• New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has delayed his arrival in London as he attempts to lure striker Alexandre Pato from his former club AC Milan. (The Sun)



• Barcelona are preparing to make a £25m bid for Liverpool's Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano. (Daily Mirror)



• Forward Carlos Tevez will be unveiled as a Manchester City player on Monday next week, after agreeing terms of about £120,000 a week. (Daily Mirror)



• Chelsea are closing in on the signing of AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo. (Daily Express)



• Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is facing the prospect of being priced out of signing Everton defender Joleon Lescott. Everton value the centre half at £20m, which is £5m more than Hughes is willing to pay. (Daily Star)



• New Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is keen to sort out a quick deal for Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas as Sunderland are also interested. (Daily Mirror)



• Aston Villa are ready to launch a bid of £3.5m plus midfielder Barry Bannan for Wigan defender Titus Bramble.(Daily Star)



• Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is lining up a bid for Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt, and is also close to completing the signing of Chile forward Humberto Suazo. (The )



• Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce will not be making a bid for Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

• Arsenal defender William Gallas says he will not sign a new contract with the Gunners and will walk away from the Emirates for free when his deal expires next summer if he is not allowed to leave this year. (Daily Mirror)

AND FINALLY

• Newcastle's players returned to work on Wednesday as the club prepares for life in the Championship. Striker Obafemi Martins turned up late with midfielder Joey Barton back at the club for the first time since he was told to stay away from the training ground by caretaker boss Alan Shearer. Martins is apparently now on £65,000 a week, after earning a £5,000 a week pay prise under the terms of his contract. (The Sun)