THE RUMOUR MILL: Football transfer rumours from around the country

According to the Daily star, Manchester United will step up their pursuit of Bayern Munich's World Cup-winning forward Thomas Muller, 25, after agreeing to sell 31-year-old striker Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce.

The Daily Telegraph are reporting that Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, 28, is set to complete an £8m move to Chelsea with Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel, 22, moving the other way as part of the deal.

Aston Villa and Sunderland are chasing Tottenham and England winger Andros Townsend, but must pay £15m to secure his services according to the Daily Mail.

The Evening Chronicle are reporting that Steve McClaren is confident the Magpies are closing in on summer targets - with Anderlecht's Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, 20, set to be the first signing.

The Stoke Sentinal report that Stoke City have set a deadline to complete the signing of 23-year-old Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri, with assistant manager Mark Bowen saying: "There is a limit to how long we can wait."