Football rumours and gossip: 'Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to battle with Bayern Munich over Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez'

Just days after Arsenal failed to reach the Champions League for the first time for over 20 years, clubs are already hovering like hawks, ready pick off the wounded animal that is Arsène Wenger's squad with Alexis Sánchez appearing the tastiest offering on the table.

Two reports in the past 24 hours – one in Chilean newspaper El Mercurio and the other the Mirror – have said, once again, that the Chile international is poised to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer before heading off to either Bayern Munich or Manchester City, depending on which publication you believe.

El Mercurio have said that Fernando Felicevich, Sánchez's agent, has had discussions with Bayern Munich about a £50 million transfer to the Bavaria giants, while the Mirror claims that Pep Guardiola in in the boxseat to sign the player he took to Barcelona from Udinese in 2011.

Either way, things are looking bleak for Wenger who, one would imagine, would be keen on keeping hold of arguably his best player from a disappointing campaign that ends on Saturday when Arsenal face Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

In the same report in the Mirror, it is claimed that City players are 'convinced' that Kyle Walker, the Tottenham Hotspur full-back, will also arrive at the Etihad Stadium this summer in a double swoop worth around a staggering £100m.

Manchester United, meanwhile, will miss out on James Rodríguez, the Colombia international midfielder, who would favour a move to Premier League champions Chelsea, according to Eduardo Inda.

Inda, a journalist with Spanish publication Okdiario, speaking on television show El Chiringuito de Jugones, said that Rodríguez's Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo had tried to convince the 25-year-old to stay on with La Liga champions, but admitted that he was convinced he would leave the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium this summer.

Inda added that Rodríguez, who made just 22 league appearances last season, would prefer to joind a club with Champions League football on offer. However, should Manchester United beat Ajax in tonight's Europa League final in Stockholm then this may change. And there was us thinking it was just football fans that were fickle.

Another player that will be watching European football's second-tier final tonight with interest is Douglas Costa, the Bayern Munich winger, who is also keen on a move to Old Trafford. Keen, that is, providing they are playing in the Champions League next season according to Italian publication Tutto Sport.

Iker Casillas, 35, could be on the brink of joining Liverpool. Yes folks, you read that. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is considering signing the former Real Madrid and soon-to-be former Porto stopper from under the noses of clubbs from 'Turkey or smaller leagues like Qatar or China', according to Spanish publication AS. 

The report claims that Casillas 'may' have arranged a pre-contract with Liverpool. Casillas conceded just 23 goals in 43 games last season. 

Siem de Jong, the Newcastle United midfielder, will return to St James' Park following his season-long loan in his Dutch homeland. After making 23 appearances for PSV Eindhoven during which time he scored six goals, the 28-year-old will be reunited with Rafael Benítez following his side's promotion to the Premier League.

And the rest . . .

The one that got away

Youri Tielemans, the Anderlecht midfielder who had been linked with Manchester City, has reportedly agreed to join Ligue 1 champions Monaco.

Money matters

Jermain Defoe's proposed move to Bournemouth could be in trouble after it was reported that players at Dean Court were unhappy that the England striker had been offered wages more than double that of the current highest paid player at the club. Unsurprisingly, Bournemouth players now all want pay rises.

And this, kids, is why you must always take what you read on Twitter with a large dose of salt . . .