World Cup and Transfer gists.....

WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 21, says the pressure on England to produce at tournaments is a burden they cannot cope with. The Sun (subscription only)(external)

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, 63, has refused to commit his future to the national team after the World Cup. Guardian(external)

Walter Ferreira, the physio behind Luis Suarez's recovery from knee surgery, suspended cancer treatment to see the 27-year-old Liverpool striker score twice in Uruguay's World Cup win over England. Independent(external)

The Sun's back page on Saturday

England captain Steven Gerrard's display against Uruguay was so bad, according to Spanish newspaper AS, they did not give the midfielder, 34, a rating for his performance. AS.com(external)

Spain's shock elimination from the World Cup attracted scrutiny from North Korean state media. Football fans in the country said Spain's intricate "tiki-taka" passing style was "worn-out" after the world champions' early exit from the tournament, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

Japan's clash against Ivory Coast was one of the most viewed games of the 2014 World Cup. As many as 34.1m viewers in Japan watched the team's 2-1 defeat by the Ivorians on the NHK channel at 10:00 local time, while 42.9m in Brazil saw the hosts beat Croatia 3-1 in the tournament's opener on TV Globo. Fifa.com(external)

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle wants current boss Roy Hodgson to stay in his role, despite the country's World Cup failings. ITV(external)

Germany defender Jerome Boateng, 25, insists that he is focused on beating Ghana and not his brother, Black Stars midfielder Kevin-Prince, 27, when the teams face each other at 20:00 BST on Saturday. Daily Star(external)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona want Liverpool striker Suarez, already a target for Real Madrid, and believe a £70m bid will activate a release clause. Daily Mirror(external)

Tottenham are showing an interest in Mexico centre-back Hector Moreno. The 26-year-old plays for Espanyol, new manager Mauricio Pochettino's former club. Daily Mail(external)

Pochettino is also considering a move for Esteban Cambiasso, 33, with the midfielder leaving Inter Milan on a free transfer this month. Daily Mirror(external)

Mario Balotelli joined AC Milan in a £19m move from Manchester City in January 2013.

Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, 28, is set to reject the chance to join Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea to sign for Wolfsburg.Daily Star(external)

AC Milan have told Arsenal they must spend £29.5m to sign former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, 23. Daily Express(external)

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, 28, has denied speculation he wants a summer move to Manchester United, having fallen out with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. Metro(external)

Crystal Palace will enquire about a deal for Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, 21, once manager Tony Pulis returns from media work in Brazil. Daily Mail (external)

Manchester United and Chelsea are set to miss out on Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos, 24, who wants to join Real Madrid once his contract expires in 2015. Daily Express(external)

Sydney FC are in talks to get Australia striker Tim Cahill, 34, to the A-League following his World Cup heroics. ABC (Australia)(external)

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea's title challenge next season will benefit from the winning mentality and Premier League experience of new signing and former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 27. Daily Star(external)

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

England midfielder Jack Wilshere apologised to fans after his team failed to progress to the World Cup knockout stages. "Gutted doesn't come close to how I am feeling right now. Sorry to all the fans who came out and supported us, and everyone back home," he tweeted. (external)

"Loads saying no pride no passion," tweeted(external)former England defender Rio Ferdinand. "The boys didn't try you saying? Rubbish. We just wasn't up to it. Nothing to do with pride & passion."

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann (second from left) is 'photobombed' by striker striker Clint Dempsey (top)

Triathlete Jonathan Brownlee(external) wrote about his World Cup experience on Twitter: "I went to Spain and they lost. Came home and England lost, now in Switzerland and they are losing... where next?! Germany?"

Match of the Day presenter and former England striker Gary Lineker(external) tweeted during France's 5-2 win over Switzerland: "The French are looking very good. One day, I'd like to say that about England."

Goals help make a striker popular - and in-form Manchester United and Netherlands striker Robin van Persie has accumulated 10 million fans onFacebook.(external)

USA striker Clint Dempsey was in the mood for some high jinks when he 'photobombed'(external) a picture of his national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann with members of the Brazilian local police.

AND FINALLY

One Brazilian family is sending more good fortune than most to their team - by crossing their fingers. All 14 members of the Silva family were born with an extra digit on each hand.