Football gossip: Pogba, Kudus, Alexander-Arnold, Kane, Gordon, Frimpong, Godfrey

Manchester City could make a move for ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, Newcastle United interested in West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, and Bayern Munich rule out signing a Harry Kane replacement in January.

Manchester City are considering bringing in France midfielder Paul Pogba, who can return to football in March following a doping ban, but the 31-year-old ex-Manchester United and Juventus player is understood to be reluctant about the move. (Independent), external

Newcastle United want to compete with Arsenal and Liverpool for the signing of West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus, 24, but the Magpies would have to sell players in January to raise funds to buy the Ghana international. (Mirror) , external

Liverpool and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26, is out of contract in the summer and says he will not allow negotiations with the club over a new deal to “play out in public”. (Sky Sports), external

Alexander-Arnold remains a key summer target for Real Madrid, who also want to sign a new centre-back and extend the contract of 32-year-old Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. (Fabrizio Romano via Teamtalk), external

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is targeting a new left-back, striker and central midfielder to add to his squad in January. (Football Insider), external

Bayern Munich will not try to bring in a replacement for injured England striker Harry Kane, 31, in January, according to the German club’s sporting director Max Eberl. (Sky Sports Germany), external

England international Anthony Gordon has dismissed speculation he wanted to leave Newcastle in the summer, before a proposed switch to Liverpool fell through, with the 23-year-old saying he is “very happy” at St James’ Park. (Sky Sports) , external

Manchester City are interested in re-signing Netherlands wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, 24, from Bayer Leverkusen, five years after he left their academy to join Celtic. (Football Insider), external

Wolves and Nottingham Forest are leading the chase for Atalanta’s English defender Ben Godfrey, 26, who has made just four appearances for the Serie A leaders since completing a £10m move from Everton in the summer. (Sun), external

AC Milan could be willing to sell France left-back Theo Hernandez, 27, in January if contract negotiations do not progress. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external