Football transfer rumours: is Wayne Rooney set for romantic Everton return?

Leicester City have sacked their manager because of relegation fears. A point above the bottom three, the Foxes have taken the decision to remove Claudio Ranieri from his position amid fears that the Italian has lost the dressing room. It seems an uncontroversial decision by the club’s board, who can rest assured that they’ll face no flak for handing Ranieri his P45. Nothing to see here. Now the search for Ranieri’s replacement begins.

Guus Hiddink and Roberto Mancini are the glamorous options. Leicester could take a punt on Gary Rowett. Alan Pardew has plenty of spare time on his hands at the moment; just don’t ask him to give up his street dance classes every Tuesday and Thursday night. It’s said that some players would like to see Nigel Pearson return. Leicester just need to find a way to contact him. It is said that Nige can be found deep in the forest, bare-chested, wrestling an ostrich.

Wayne Rooney has disappointed headline writers who were hoping to christen him Chicken Chow Wayne after turning down the chance to earn lots of money in China. José Mourinho will be delighted. He loves Rooney. They’re best friends. They’re planning to take evening pottery classes together soon. Can’t do that if Rooney’s off in China. Everton think that they might be able to prise Rooney away from Manchester United in the summer, however, having already had one bid for their former striker rejected in January. Is a glorious Goodison Park return on the cards? Mourinho would be devastated. He thinks the world of Rooney.

Paris Saint-Germain want Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic. Presumably they’ll try to sign Dwight Gayle if they can’t get the Serbian.

Manchester City are looking in Italy for a new goalkeeper. Not you, Joe Hart. You stay right where you are. Pep Guardiola wants Internazionale’s Samir Handanovic instead.

Arsenal are eyeing Monaco’s 22-year-old midfielder, Tiemoué Bakayoko, who’s also a target for Chelsea, United and PSG. Mauricio Pochettino has offered medical science £25m for a new brain for Dele Alli.