Gossip Column (17/1/16): Byram sits out derby, Sheffield's Wednesday's Hooper hope, Becchio poised for Rotherham return

Leeds United’s Sam Byram asked to sit out Saturday’s derby defeat at Sheffield Wednesday as he closes in on a £4m move to Premier League side Everton.

Byram, Leeds’ longest-serving player, is expected to complete a move to Merseyside early this week.

Meanwhile, another Leeds United player who is attracting interest is striker Chris Wood.

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves want to sign a player Leeds paid £3m for in the summer.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal remains hopeful of signing Gary Hooper.

Hooper signed off his loan spell from Norwich City in emphatic fashion, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over Leeds United which took his tally to six goals in six games.

Carvalhal said: “He was my first choice since the beginning and I’m sure he’s happy here. He’s scoring goals because he’s enjoying the way we’re playing.”

Arsenal loanee Isaac Hayden is set to sign a permanent deal with Hull City.

Hayden, 20, scored in Hull’s 6-0 rout of Charlton on Saturday.

Tigers boss Steve Bruce told the BBC: “I desperately want to hang on to him and when he produces a performance like that I’m desperate to keep hold of him.”

International clearance is all that Luciano Becchio needs to become a Rotherham United player again.

The Argentinian striker has passed his medical and agreed personal terms after impressing on trial at the club where his previous loan spell from Norwich was cut short by a heel injury in the autumn of 2014.

Former Leeds striker Becchio returned home to Club Atletico Belgrano after his Canaries contract ended.

Middlesbrough have joined QPR in making enquiries for West Brom’s £7m-rated winger Callum McManaman.

Liverpool are prepared to pay £25m for Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, 29, this summer. (Star)

Barcelona sent a scout to watch 21-year-old Everton’s Barnsley-born defender John Stones at Chelsea on Saturday. (Mail)