Sports Mole's top 25 stories of 2013

The last 12 months have seen a number of big stories arise from the world of sport, particularly football.

We have seen numerous memorable encounters played out, as well as huge transfers take place.

Below are the 25 stories that have been most popular among Sports Mole's readers in 2013.

1. Report: Chelsea sign Eto'o and end Rooney pursuit
Late in the summer transfer window, reports emerged that Chelsea had given up on Wayne Rooney and signed Samuel Eto'o instead.

2. Rooney spotted at Emirates Stadium
Arsenal were also keen to sign Rooney and an eyewitness claimed that he had seen the Manchester United striker arrive at the Emirates Stadium in June.

3. Report: Van Persie unhappy at Man United
Another Man United striker - this time Robin van Persie - was said to be unhappy at the club in September.

4. Man United prepare £55m part-exchange Bale bid?
He eventually ended up at Real Madrid, but speculation in April claimed that Man United were willing to part with money and players to land Gareth Bale.

5. Rooney interested in Arsenal switch?
As well as the eyewitness account, Rooney was also thought to have strongly considered a move to the North London club.

6. Report: Liverpool poised for treble swoop
Reports in July claimed that Liverpool were close to signing Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Ryan Bertrand.

7. Valencia relinquishes number seven shirt
In August, Antonio Valencia decided that wearing the Man United number seven shirt was too much of a burden.

8. 7pm Transfer Talk Update: Baines, Grenier, Thiago
There were big rumours surrounding the futures of Leighton Baines, Clement Grenier and Thiago Alcantara in early July.

9. Baines key to Kagawa's best form
Amid reports that Baines was joining Man United, we assessed how the full-back could have had a positive impact on Shinji Kagawa.

10. Preview: Man United vs. Arsenal
Whenever Man United take on Arsenal, it's a big clash and their November meeting at Old Trafford was no different.

11. De Gea hints at Thiago arrival
Following the conclusion of the Under-21 European Championships, David de Gea suggested that Thiago would be joining him at Man United.

12. Torres wants Liverpool return?
A report in January claimed that Chelsea striker Fernando Torres yearned for a move back to Liverpool.

13. Live Commentary: Man United 1-0 Arsenal
Once again Van Persie returned to haunt his former club Arsenal at Old Trafford in November.

14. Report: Thiago agrees Man United move
Spanish journalists in July insisted that Thiago had reached an agreement with Man United.

15. Lawrenson: 'Liverpool won't finish in top four'
In early September, former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson did not believe that the Reds would qualify for next season's Champions League.

16. Koscielny to make Arsenal return against Chelsea?
Reports suggested that Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny was to make a quicker than anticipated return from injury against Chelsea earlier this month.

17. Begovic training with Liverpool?
In May, it was claimed that Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic had decided to sign for Liverpool.

18. Report: Chelsea offer Torres for Cavani
In the same month, Italian journalists suggested that Chelsea had offered Torres to Napoli in exchange for Edinson Cavani.

19. Journalist: Mourinho to Chelsea "done deal"
German reporter Raphael Honigstein called Jose Mourinho's Chelsea return back in April.

20. Live Commentary: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
The London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea is always much anticipated, even if this one on December 23 did end without a goal.

21. Pochettino hints at Chelsea signings
As the summer transfer speculation started, Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted that he was keen to sign one or two Chelsea players.

22. Coutinho arrives at Liverpool's training ground
They left it late, but Liverpool rushed through Philippe Coutinho's January arrival from Inter Milan.

23. Report: Lamela agrees Spurs switch
As the summer transfer window drew to a close, speculation revealed that Erik Lamela was close to signing for Tottenham Hotspur.

24. Moyes: 'Javier Hernandez gives me problems'
In September, David Moyes admitted that the form of Javier Hernandez was giving him a selection dilemma at Man United.

25. Five players Man United should sign
During the summer, we played at being the Man United manager by suggesting five players they should sign.