Merseysiders to slug it out for Croatian star and other red-hot gossip

(19-11-2010) Everton and Liverpool are expected to slug it out for the services of Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar. The Croatian has fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane this campaign after an impressive debut season at the club. Spurs are believed to want £4m for him. Elsewhere, Manchester United have opened talks over the signing of 20-year-old Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea, who will cost £15m; Manchester City are expected to step up their efforts to sign Brazilian defender Dani Alves in January after Barcelona said they will not move on contract negotiations him; and Italian ‘bad boy’ Mario Balotelli claims he may leave Manchester City in the summer after saying he is only committed to the Eastlands club until June - despite signing a five-year contract.