Transfer Talk: Newcastle move for Bosman striker

Could Ghana star Andre Ayew be Newcastle bound?

Gareth Bale is being linked with a move back to the Premier League. Again. Yet there are some other more realistic transfer rumours floating about today.

Glen Johnson's agent has admitted the Liverpool defender would relish a summer move to Serie A side Roma.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at Anfield in the summer and is not expected to agree an extension so a move abroad beckons.

Roma have been linked with the England international for the past six months and Johnson is keen on joining them, according to his agent Jonathan Barnett, even though the Italian side have yet to be in contact over a deal.

"Glen is obviously looking for somewhere where he can turn around his career. That's the most important thing for him," he told Roma Press.

"We've had no contact with Roma, although Roma would be a lovely place for him."

Meanwhile, various reports claim Chelsea and Manchester United are set to battle it out to bring Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale back to the Premier League. Real may be prepared to listen to offers of around 90m for the Welshman, while the Daily Express also claims defender Raphael Varane is on Jose Mourinho's wanted list when the transfer window reopens.

Valencia are being tipped by the Daily Mirror to make a 20m summer bid for Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata but the Spaniard is thought to be happy at Old Trafford and is unlikely to return to his old club any time soon.

Manchester City will offload striker Edin Dzeko in the summer, according to the Daily Star. The Bosnia and Herzergovina international has been a favourite of boss Manuel Pellegrini but with the Chilean coach's future uncertain, Dzeko is also now being tipped to leave the Etihad.

The Daily Express says Stoke are desperate to tie goalkeeper Asmir Begovic down to a new contract as they seek to see off interest from both Inter Milan and Tottenham, while Spurs are monitoring Cologne's 6million-rated defender Kevin Wimmer, who has also been linked with several other Premier League clubs.

West Bromwich Albion retain an interest in Celtic's highly-rated Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk with a view to a summer transfer swoop. The 23-year-old still has over two years left on his Celtic contract so is expected to cost in excess of 7million.

Finally, Newcastle United have apparently made the first move for Marseille forward Andre Ayew by offering him a pre-contract deal. The Ghana international, who has bagged nine goals this season to help L'OM in their push for the Ligue 1 title, looks set to leave the Stade Velodrome in the summer and hopes to get a chance to prove himself in the Premier League.