Friday Paper Talk

[Southend_Yid]

Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale was the subject of a "big-money" bid over the summer, according to Wales manager John Toshack.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Spartak Moscow are ready to offer Yuri Zhirkov a route out of   Chelsea after Russia coach d**k Advocaat warned the defender he must be   playing regular football to feature for his country.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Former England Under-21 defender Chris Riggott, who was released by Middlesbrough in the summer, is having a trial at Cardiff.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Tottenham have been told to make a "better offer" for SuperSport United's South Africa international defender Bongani Khumalo.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Tottenham keeper Carlo Cudicini could be loaned out to a   Championship club when the window opens on Tuesday for Football League   clubs. The 36-year-old is third choice at Spurs and Middlesbrough are   monitoring the situation.
                                                                 Full story: Talksport                                                     
Nigerian defender Danny s**ttu, 30, could get the chance to   reboot his career with a move to Celtic after being released by Bolton.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Record                                                     
England fly-half Danny Cipriani has thrown his rugby union   future into doubt after travelling to the United States for a trial with   Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.
 Full story: the Times

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is set for a dramatic return   to English football with Aston Villa after holding talks with the   club's owner Randy Lerner.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
But former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been ruled out of the running for the vacant managerial post at Villa Park.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun                                                     
Defender Jamie Carragher can savour the prospect of at least   another three seasons at Anfield after opening talks on a new Liverpool   contract.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Blackburn striker Benjani Mwaruwari claims there is ''no trust''   at his old club Manchester City and that some of their players are   motivated primarily by money.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Telegraph                                                     
Birmingham will offer manager Alex McLeish a major pay-rise in   an effort to get get him to stay, according to City's vice president   Peter Pannu.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror

[Southend_Yid]

Roy Hodgson believes he inherited a squad that was big on numbers,   but lacking quality in depth when he succeeded Rafael Benitez as   Liverpool manager. Hodgson has already shipped out a number of squad   players including Alberto Aquilani, Philipp Degen, Nabil El Zhar and   Emiliano Insua.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
But Hodgson could augment his squad by signing Artem Milevskiy in   January - the 25-year-old Ukrainian striker recently extended his   contract with Dinamo Kiev but has a release clause of about £10m written   in.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Neven Subotic - wanted by both Manchester United and   Manchester City as well as Chelsea and Real Madrid will stay put at   least until next season. The 21-year-old Serbian centre-back is valued   at £20m by Borussia Dortmund where he has a contract until 2014.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Wigan midfielder Charles N'Zogbia could be on his way to   Marseille, with Birmingham out of the race to sign the 24-year-old   Frenchman.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Leicester have turned down Derby's attempt to sign Matty   Fryatt on loan and instead told the 24-year-old striker to fight for his   place in the Foxes team.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
On-loan Everton striker James Vaughan will be offered a permanent   deal with Crystal Palace if he impresses over the next three months.   The 22-year-old is set to make his debut against Reading on Saturday.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been warned by Everton   defender Phil Jagielka that he will face a hostile reception at Goodison   Park on Saturday. A former Evertonian, Rooney will be making his first   Premier League appearance since allegations concerning his private life   surfaced.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Telegraph                                                     
One man set to watch Rooney from the stands is former team-mate   Francis Jeffers. Jeffers made his England debut at the same time as   Rooney - scoring in a 2-1 defeat by Australia in February 2003 - but the   former Everton and Ars*nal striker is now without a club and   considering a move to the Australian A League.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Express                                                     
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce believes the race to replace Fabio   Capello as England manager in 2012 is between him, Tottenham manager   Harry Redknapp, Roy Hodgson of Liverpool and Blackburn's Sam Allardyce.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock reckons England   should appoint a "Redknapp-type" manager to succeed Capello because he   would have better communication skills than the Italian.                                                                  Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Tom Hicks and George Gillett's reign as Liverpool owners could   have less than a month to run. Royal Bank of Scotland has moved its   loans with the American pair into its toxic-assets division - a sign   that they will not be extended.
                                                                 Full story: the Guardian                                                     
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will have a tougher job   controlling the egos at Eastlands than he would at Real Madrid, says   Blackburn's Michel Salgado, who spent 10 years at the Bernabeu.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Everton have suffered a blow with the news that midfielder   Jack Rodwell faces a three-month spell of the sidelines after the   19-year-old damaged his ankle against Aston Villa two weeks ago.
                                                                 Full story: Liverpool Echo                                                     
Tottenham's new £8m midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes he   can inspire the club to finish higher than rivals Ars*nal in the Premier   League this season.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
West Ham manager Avram Grant has been given permission to miss   the Premier League game at Stoke on 18 September as it clashes with Yom   Kippur - the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Nigel Adkins could still be named as Southampton's new manager.   The Sc*nthorpe boss had been top of the Saints' shortlist, but his   appointment had seemed to have been scuppered by Southampton's apparent   reluctance to pay compensation.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Express

Manchester United defender Gary Neville has further widened the   gulf between himself and Liverpool by admitting he had a "hatred" of the   Merseyside club during his childhood because "they were winning   everything". Neville also made a thinly veiled attack on Manchester   City.
                                                                 Full story: the Guardian                                                     
However Manchester City have shown themselves to be capable of a   barb of their own - chief executive Garry Cook admitting that a banner   at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground highlighting the Blues'   34-year wait for a trophy "drives us nuts". Also in Blue Moon Rising, a   film based on City and set for general release, striker Carlos Tevez   claims he has "nothing to prove" to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson,   supporter Steve admits to finding the colour red "disgusting" while a   fellow fan "votes Tory only because they're blue". (Full story: Daily   Telegraph)   

[DC76]

Tottenham's new £8m midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes he     can inspire the club to finish higher than rivals Ars*nal in the   Premier   League this season.

If he's right, I'll love him forever starting at season's end.

[Southend_Yid]

New Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has admitted that he wants to sign Manchester United striker Michael Owen. (Daily Star)
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has discouraged Tottenham from pursuing their interest in Andy Carroll, insisting the Magpies striker is not for sale.
Full story: Daily Mirror
The Magpies meanwhile are tracking Swindon's 19-year-old defender Sean Morrison.
Full story: talksport.co.uk
Spurs have joined Newcastle and Liverpool in the chase for 21-year-old FC Utrecht forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who made his international debut for the Netherlands in August.
Full story: footylatest.com
Everton manager David Moyes is vying with Wolfsburg boss Steve McClaren for USA defender Jay DeMerit, who is a free agent following his release by Watford.
Full story: talksport.co.uk
Liverpool are monitoring Hoffenheim defender Isaac Vorsah. The 22-year-old Ghanaian has made 62 appearances for the Bundesliga club and will be available on a free transfer in June 2011.
Full story: footylatest.com
Crystal Palace are set to step up their efforts to make striker James Vaughan's three-month loan deal from Everton into a permanent signing.
Full story: talksport.co.uk
Manchester United are the latest club to show an interest in PSV Eindhoven's prolific attacking midfielder Ola Toivonen.
Full story: footylatest.com
Derby are keen on taking Aston Villa's 21-year-old Australian defender Shane Lowry on loan.
Full story: Daily Mirror
West Ham striker Frank Nouble is to join Swansea City on loan and link up with his old Chelsea youth-team boss Brendan Rogers, who is now manager of the Swans.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Santos Laguna's 19-year-old Mexican striker Gustavo Ruelas is expected to sign a pre-contract agreement with Celtic next week. (Daily Record)
 
Co-owner Tom Hicks has launched a last-ditch attempt to retain control of Liverpool by looking to secure another refinancing deal against the club during talks with bankers in London.
Full story: the Guardian
Paul Ince wants to become manager of West Ham one day despite the abuse he has received at Upton Park since leaving the Hammers for Manchester United as a player in 1989.
Full story: talkSPORT
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Avram Grant is reportedly running out of patience with keeper Robert Green and defender Matthew Upson, with the star duo facing the chop following their poor start to the season.
Full story: the Sun
Former Chelsea boss and current Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has been offered the Portugal job on an interim basis following the sacking of Carlos Queiroz.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is finally expected to put pen to paper and sign a new contract with the Blues on Friday. (Daily Mirror)
The Glazer family are paying themselves interest on the money they borrowed to buy Manchester United. (The Times)
 
Manchester United's new £7.4m signing Bebe made an unimpressive debut for the club's reserve side as they lost 4-1 to Aston Villa in Altrincham on Thursday.
Full story: Daily Mail
West Ham's Israeli manager Avram Grant is still hoping to be at Stoke for Saturday's game despite it clashing with Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of Atonement.
Full story: Daily Mail

[Southend_Yid]

Manchester City are plotting a £50m January bid to lure Fernando Torres away from Liverpool, with the Spain superstar dismayed by the Reds' current lack of progress this season.
Full story: Daily Star
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are looking at the prospect of buying a Liverpool player too, in their case goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and are set to offer £17m.
Full story: Footylatest
But Liverpool are apparently looking at buying too - with Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and midfield team-mate Giovani dos Santos targeted.
Full story: Caught Offside
Tottenham, meanwhile, have agreed a £1.5m deal to sign South African defender Bongani Khumalo from Supersport United.
Full story: Daily Mirror
And it is not just Torres catching the eye of Manchester City. The Eastlands outfit are set to spend £55m to land AC Milan's Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato next summer.
Full story: Caught Offside
 
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has already written off his side's chances of winning the Premier League, saying the 18-time champions will be happy to settle for fourth place.
Full story: Daily Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted for the first time that lurid off-the-field stories that have turned the spotlight on Wayne Rooney have affected the form of Manchester United's star striker.
Full story: The Guardian
Ars*nal boss Arsene Wenger is hopeful skipper Cesc Fabregas will be fit for the Premier League fixture against Chelsea on 3 October.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
Former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola and former Spurs boss Juande Ramos have both applied for the position of Ghana national manager.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Striker Andy Johnson is close to returning for Fulham following his long-term injury.
Full story: talkSPORT
Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith says he is still suffering from the mental scars that followed his horrific 2006 leg injury picked up when playing for Manchester United against Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Mail
Under-pressure Hibernian manager John Hughes admits he faces the sack unless he can improve on a poor start to the season. (Various)
Celtic midfielder Marc Crosas describes Neil Lennon as one of the best bosses he has ever worked with - despite being given the cold shoulder by the Parkhead manager for almost six months. (Daily Record)
 
French fourth division club Levallois SC are to name their new stadium after former player and current Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. The club say Drogba will be at Wednesday's inauguration.
Full story: goal.com

[Southend_Yid]

Chelsea may take advantage of stalled contract talks between Philippe Mexes and Roma to try and land the French defender on a free transfer.
Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson may try to tempt Manchester United striker Michael Owen into a return to Anfield as he looks to increase the Reds' attacking options.
Full story: caughtoffside.com
Wigan attacker Charles N'Zogbia still has his heart set on a move away from the DW Stadium and has hinted that Marseille could come in for him in January.
Full story: Daily Mail
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp may test Manchester City's resolve to hang on to striker Emmanuel Adebayor in the January transfer window.
Full story: caughtoffside.com
Spurs boss Redknapp has also warned Real Madrid off his left-sided Welsh star Gareth Bale.
Full story: The Sun
Valencia and Portugal defender Miguel has admitted he is interested in playing for Liverpool to link up with international team-mate Raul Meireles at Anfield.
Full story: talkSPORT
Bristol City are interested in bringing Ajax midfielder Evander Sno, who recently suffered a suspected heart attack, back to Ashton Gate, with a loan move until January a possibility.
Full story: talkSPORT
Ars*nal's French striker Gilles Sunu could be in line for a loan move back to Derby after recovering from a cartilage problem picked up in pre-season.
Full story: talkSPORT
Ars*nal are also weighing up a £3m move for Tromso midfielder Kara Mbodj after he impressed chief scout Steve Rowley.
Full story: Daily Mail
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who is suffering from an ankle injury, is willing to stand up to manager Sir Alex Ferguson if he attempts to hold him back from joining up with England for the European Championship qualifier against Montenegro on 12 October. Ars*nal playmaker Jack Wilshere could also be called up.
Full story: Daily Mail
In the expected absences of Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora, Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is poised for an England senior call by Fabio Capello on Monday after being left out of the Under-21 squad for the European Championship play-off.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich has told his players that he expects them to win both the Champions League and the Premier League this season.
Full story: The Sun
West Ham joint owner David Gold says he is confident his club will win their bid to move into the Olympic Stadium after London 2012.
Full story: talkSPORT
After returning from injury, Wolves midfielder Stephen Hunt is working so hard in training he does not know what day it is.
Full story: The Sun
France coach Laurent Blanc forgot to name two players for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Romania and Luxembourg, failing to mention that Ars*nal's Samir Nasri and Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra were in his squad.
Full story: The Sun
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez was involved in a stand-off with an angry farmer in a tractor at the club's training ground which nearly left him stuck in a ditch.
Full story: Daily Mirror

[Southend_Yid]

Barcelona have lined up a sensational swoop for Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez, who the Nou Camp management see as the ideal foil for star attacker Lionel Messi.
Full Story: Daily Mail
But Tevez has said that he would return to his native Argentina if his daughters ever wanted him to.
Full Story: talkSPORT
Chelsea and Ars*nal could be interested in Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is thought to be unsettled at the club.
Full Story: Footylatest.com
Edwin van der Sar's hint that he may quit playing at the end of the season has led Manchester United to step up their search for a new goalkeeper. Norwegian club Aalesunds number one Anders Lindegaard and CSKA Moscow's Igor Akinfeev are two potential targets.
Full Story: Daily Star
And Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has left the door open to a move to Manchester United after describing reports that he had already agreed a move to Bayern Munich as "humbug".
Full Story: Daily Mail
However, the agent of Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon has rubbished reports that his client will move to Old Trafford.
Full Story: imscouting.com
United have been linked again with a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport also claiming Juventus are keen on the Frenchman.
Full Story: imscouting.com
Liverpool's prospective new owner New England Sports Ventures will seek face-to-face talks with midfielder Steven Gerrard, striker Fernando Torres and goalkeeper Pepe Reina as soon as it complete its purchase.
Full Story: Daily Mirror
New Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is weighing up an £8m bid for Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar in the upcoming January transfer window, though Monaco could rival the Frenchman for the player's signature.
Full Story: footylatest.com
Turkish side Galatasaray have made the first move to sign Aston Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker on a free transfer. The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season.
Full Story: Daily Star
Aston Villa striker John Carew has indicated that he may leave the club when his contract expires next summer.
Full Story: Daily Mail
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could be in competition with former club Fulham as he considers a bid for Bayer Leverkusen forward Stefan Kiessling.
Full Story: talkSPORT
Tottenham have been linked with a move for £5m-rated defender Daniele Bonera from AC Milan as manager Harry Redknapp looks to ease his defensive injury crisis.
Full Story: talkSPORT
Chelsea winger Florent Malouda wants to end his playing days in Brazil. The France international wants to end his European club career at Stamford Bridge, but would like to finish his playing days at Vasco da Gama or Flamengo.
Full Story: Daily Mirror
Blackpool striker Jason Euell is being tracked by Hull and two other Championship sides.
Full Story: Daily Mirror
England defender Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he is unsure if he will regain his place in Fabio Capello's side, never mind the team captaincy.
Full Story: Daily Mirror
The Football Association has so far failed to get in touch with highly rated youngster Eric Dier. The 16-year-old centre-back, who is already playing for Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon's under-19 side, is qualified to represent England but could apply for dual nationality when he turns 18.
Full Story: Daily Mail
Wales caretaker manager Brian Flynn says that the prospect of managing the side against England is motivating him to succeed former boss John Toshack. Wales host England in a Euro 2012 qualifier in March next year before a return leg at Wembley in September.
Full Story: Daily Mirror
Montenegro coach Zlatko Kranjcar believes that England's superiority means they have already won Euro 2012 qualifying Group G and that the other sides are merely playing for second place.
Full Story: the Sun
Paul Dalglish believes that father Kenny, who offered to return to Liverpool's managerial hot-seat before the appointment of Roy Hodgson, could still do a job at Anfield.
Full Story: talkSPORT
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp says that Liverpool's players cannot use the ongoing boardroom unrest at the club as an excuse for failure on the pitch.
Full Story: Daily Mirror
Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton says that the club's prospective new owners will not follow the same path as their equivalents at big spending Manchester City and will instead adopt a "rational" approach to achieving success at Anfield.
Full Story: Daily Star
Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn fears that West Ham could put his club out of business if they move in to the Olympic Stadium after 2012. The venue is close to Orient's Brisbane Road ground and Hearn is concerned they could attract supporters away from the League One club.
Full Story: talkSPORT
Birmingham midfielder Alexander Hleb says that moving to St Andrew's from Barcelona this summer was a backwards step and has criticised the team's long-ball style.
Full Story: Daily Star
Manchester United striker Michael Owen, who has represented England at World Cups and has played for Liverpool, Newcastle and Real Madrid, has revealed he suffered from nerves before a recent Carling Cup tie with Sc*nthorpe. However, he scored twice in a 5-2 win at Glanford Park.
Full Story: Daily Mirror

[Southend_Yid]

Real Madrid will go to war with Manchester United to sign £75m-rated striker Wayne Rooney at the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Star
But Real boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out a bid for Rooney in the January transfer window. "We have an excellent squad with players who give me a lot of confidence and I don't want any players in the winter market," said Mourinho.
Full story: Daily Mail
Man United have intensified their contract talks with Rooney's advisors, illustrating his importance to Sir Alex Ferguson's plans.
Full story: The Times
Ars*nal captain Cesc Fabregas has, for the umpteenth time, said it is his dream to play for boyhood heroes Barcelona.
Full story: Daily Star
Fabregas, meanwhile, says Barca's Spanish rivals Real Madrid also tried to sign him in the summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Liverpool and Tottenham are lining up a bid for Lyon's £14m-rated 27-year-old Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez.
Full story: Daily Mirror
PSV Eindhoven's highly rated 24-year-old Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Affelay has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Man United and Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Tottenham will consider making a renewed offer for Anderlecht's teenage striker Romelu Lukaku after a £17.5m bid was rejected in the summer.
Full story: Daily Mail
Everton could step up their interest in Newcastle defender Steven Taylor if Bayern Munich make a move for the Toffees' Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga.
Full story: Talksport
Heitinga says he would be interested in a move to Bayern. (Daily Mail)
But Magpies boss Chris Hughton insists he will not cash in on Taylor in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Stoke are ready to compete with Werder Bremen for the signature of Fulham's Zoltan Gera.
Full story: Daily Mail
New Leicester boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will sign Aston Villa's Curtis Davies on a one-month loan.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Sevilla's Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, who was linked with Tottenham in the summer, says he will "seek a solution in January" if he does not get more first-team chances.
Full story: Daily Mail
Spurs are also interested in Borussia Moenchengladbach's 23-year-old Argentine striker Raul Marcelo Bobadilla, who could cost about £6m.
Full story: TalkSport
Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid, 28, admits he may have to quit the club to relaunch his career.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Denmark international goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard says he is "shocked" to have been linked with a move to Manchester United.
Full story: goal.com
Ipswich are set to take Sunderland utility man Jack Colback, 20, on loan again after a successful spell last season.
Full story: Daily Mirror
David Beckham's England career is almost certainly over after he formally refused boss Fabio Capello's offer of a farewell game.
Full story: The Sun
Portsmouth could go bust by next Monday after the Football League stopped them from coming out of administration.
Full story: Daily Star
Manchester City's Dutch international midfielder Nigel de Jong is considering international retirement after recent criticism of his tackling by national coach Bert van Marwijk.
Full story: The Guardian
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has questioned the way Fabio Capello manages the national side, claiming the Italian is too strict, stern and aloof.
Full story: The Sun
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is set to miss another two weeks with his troublesome groin injury.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will grill England officials after striker Darren Bent picked up yet another injury on international duty.
Full story: Daily Star
Man City striker Mario Balotelli has suffered another minor setback as he bids to return from a knee injury and is now targeting the Manchester derby on 10 November.
Full story: Daily Star
West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo insists he has not fallen out with Paul Scharner despite the midfielder's angry reaction to being substituted against Bolton.
Full story: The Sun
West Brom's Chilean international Gonzalo Jara is celebrating the rescue of his county's miners, after donating a shirt and sending them an inspirational message.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Former Ars*nal goalkeeper David Seaman says the club does not need to buy a new keeper as he has seen how good Manuel Almunia and Lukas Fabianski are in training, but they need to fulfil their potential.
Full story: Talksport

[Southend_Yid]

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has performed an amazing   U-turn by telling Red Devils boss sir Alex Ferguson he does not want to   quit Old Trafford.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
United are exploring ways for Rooney to salvage his Old Trafford career.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Express                                                     
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has called on former team-mate Rooney to follow in his footsteps by moving to Eastlands.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Telegraph                                                     
An angry mob of balaclava-clad United fans gathered outside   Rooney's Prestbury home on Thursday night, holding a banner urging the   want-away striker not to join City.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun                                                     
United full-back Patrice Evra believes Rooney should not play   for the club again following his public declaration that they have not   signed players who can make them competitive.
                                                                 Full story: the Independent                                                     
Rooney has stunned Real Madrid by demanding to become the highest paid Galactico if he joins Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Chelsea have no intention in getting involved in a bidding war   for Rooney, with Blues owner Roman Abramovich keen for the club to   become self-sufficient and balance its books.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Star                                                     
As uncertainty about Rooney's future drags on, United boss Sir   Alex Ferguson is planning a radical overhaul of his squad next summer   with up to 10 players facing the axe.
                                                                 Full story: the Times (subscription)                                                     
Ferguson is looking to sign AC Milan youngster Alexandre Pato   as a direct replacement for Rooney if the player leaves Old Trafford.
                                                                 Full story: caughtoffside.com                                                     
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is praying that Black Cats striker   Darren Bent does not get dragged into a transfer merry-go-round which   could be sparked by Rooney leaving Manchester United.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun
Liverpool's new owners plan showdown talks with striker Fernando   Torres next week, with Manchester United and Barcelona interested in   signing the Spaniard.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Star                                                     
The Anfield club are considering making a move for Hapoel Tel   Aviv striker Itay Shechter in January, although Tottenham, Everton and   West Ham are also in the hunt.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Aston Villa winger Ashley Young has called a dramatic halt to contract negotiations with the club.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun                                                     
Young wants a buy-out clause in his new Aston Villa contract, with Spurs said to be interested in the England international.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Juventus are ready to rival Manchester City in the battle to sign Lazio defender Stefan Radu.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Championship leaders QPR want to reinforce their squad with the loan capture of versatile Ars*nal attacker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Bolton boss Owen Coyle will open contract talks with Johan   Elmander in the next few weeks, with the striker free to talk to other   clubs from January.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun
Former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard is close to replacing Roy Hodgson as Liverpool's new boss.
                                                                 Full story: caughtoffside.com                                                     
Blackburn are close to a takeover by VH Group, an Indian chicken company.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is a month ahead of schedule in   his return from ankle surgery. Defoe was expected to be out until   Christmas but he could now be back by the end of November - in time for   their final two Champions League group games against Werder Bremen and   FC Twente.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Star                                                     
England's 2018 World Cup bid is set for a major boost when it is named the stand-out candidate to host the tournament by Fifa.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
The Scottish Players Union are again on alert over the late payment of wages at Hearts. (Daily Record)

West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo believes football management is   like hay farming. "It is like when you are a farmer," said the Italian.   "You want to bring as much hay into your stall as possible for a long   winter. That's what we are trying to do."
                                                                 Full story: the Sun

[Southend_Yid]

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs is to be offered £200,000 a week to finish his career in Dubai. United midfielder Paul Scholes and defender Gary Neville can also expect lucrative deals from Middle East clubs. Top outfits in the UAE League, including Al Ahli, have already discussed signing the trio next summer.
Full story: the Sun
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bolster his central midfield options and has put Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern Munich and Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone at the top of his wish list.
Full story: Daily Star
Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Schweinsteiger who is a free agent at the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Meanwhile Ferguson is considering an audacious double swoop to bring Napoli's attacking pair Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani to Old Trafford.
Full story: caughtoffside
Sunderland have put a £20m price tag on midfielder Jordan Henderson, who is being tracked by Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Manchester rivals United and City are to lock horns again in the pursuit of River Plate's young Argentine striker Rogelio Funes Mori.
Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool are ready to offer Roma's want-away striker Mirko Vucinic an escape route in January.
Full story: TalkSport
The Reds are rumoured to be lining up a January move for Blackpool's attacking midfielder Charlie Adam.
Full story: caughtoffside
And Liverpool have been offered Lyon's Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Tottenham are battling Sevilla to sign Getafe's Ghanaian midfielder Derek Boateng.
Full story: TalkSport
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is preparing to let striker John Carew leave Villa Park, and may replace him with Manchester City forward Roque Santa Cruz.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Blackburn Rovers' prospective new owners are considering selling the naming rights to Ewood Park.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
Former Chelsea and West Ham assistant manager Steve Clarke has failed to agree personal terms with Newcastle over a deal to become Chris Hughton's number two at St James' Park.
Full story: the Sun
Hughton and Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson are 6-4 joint-favourites with bookmakers to be the next Premier League manager to get the sack. West Ham boss Avram Grant is 7-4. (Racing Post)
With the Hammers bottom of the table after picking up only six points from nine games, Grant has two games to save his job.
Full story: Daily Star
Hodgson says he has discovered Liverpool's answer to Chelsea centre-back John Terry - and it is Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos. The Reds boss says Kyrgiakos can head the ball as well as Terry, former Ars*nal defender Tony Adams and ex-Leeds centre-back Jack Charlton.
Full story: the Sun
Aston Villa keeper Brad Friedel is set to play into his forties with the club ready to offer the 39-year-old American a new contract.
Full story: Daily Mail
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has called for players who dive to be banned for three games.
Full story: the Sun
Administrator Andrew Andronikou has revealed cash-strapped Portsmouth twice came within hours of being closed down.
Full story: Daily Star
Premier League clubs are Europe's top earners when it comes to shirt sponsorship deals. Top-flight English sides are pocketing £112m this season - £9m more than Bundesliga teams.
Full story: the Sun   Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar, who turns 40 today, has set his sights on another Premier League and Champions League double before calling time on his career.
Full story: Daily Mirror

[Southend_Yid]

Udinese's Chilean international winger Alexis Sanchez, 21, could   be on the verge of a move to Manchester United, according to the   player's agent.                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Meanwhile, United target Steven Defour is being chased by a   number of European clubs, according to the 22-year-old Standard Liege   and Belgium midfielder's agent.                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Bristol City could be forced to sell former England goalkeeper   David James after the club announced record losses of about £11m for   last year.                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Liverpool will move for Athletic Bilbao's 6ft 5in striker Fernando Llorente, if they lose Fernando Torres in January.                                                                 
Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is considering a January move for Tottenham's out-of-favour winger David Bentley.                                                                 
Full story: caughtoffside.com                                                     
Real Madrid have joined the race for Liverpool and Ars*nal target Ibrahim Affelay, who currently plays for PSV Eindhoven.                                                                 
Full story: IM Scouting                                                      Tottenham are set to swoop for rising Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette, 19, considered one of the best young forwards in Europe.                                                                
Full story: talkSPORT
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists he will not quit   despite the club slumping to a third defeat in a row against Polish side   Lech Poznan in the Europa League: "I will stay at City until they fire   me," he vowed.                                                                 
Full story: The Sun                                                     
Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk said he "does not care"   about Arsene Wenger's concerns over Robin van Persie after picking him   for their friendly with Turkey on 17 November. Ars*nal boss Wenger had   described his potential call-up as a "scandal", the striker having been   out since August with an ankle injury.                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Express                                                     
West Ham will meet the board of the Olympic Park Legacy   Company on Friday as the east London club make their pitch for becoming   tenants at Stratford's Olympic Stadium after London 2012.                                                                 
 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
England coach Fabio Capello is keeping an eye on Cardiff's Jay   Bothroyd after the striker took his tally to 12 goals this season for   the Championship leaders.                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Express                                                     
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has urged star winger Gareth   Bale to stay at the club for the long-term: "We are a coming force and   big clubs keep their best players," he said.                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Bolton manager Owen Coyle says Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is the   "perfect candidate to succeed Fabio Capello as England coach. Coyle   described Redknapp as "an outstanding manager and a terrific man."                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
West Ham chairman David Gold has renewed his attack on his   successors at Birmingham City, describing their chairman Peter Pannu as   "disgusting" after reneging on a promise to keep him on as chairman.                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Telegraph                                                     
West Brom have come out on top of the Times newspaper's Financial   Fair Play League, which highlights the clubs obtaining the best results   per pound spent.                                                                 
 Full story: the Times [requires registration]                                                     
Tickets for England's 17 November friendly with France at   Wembley are being sold for as little as £5 as the Football Association   looks to boost the attendance. About 44,000 tickets have been sold so   far.                                                                 
 Full story: The Sun
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has accused Newcastle of a lack of   "etiquette" after the Monkees hit Daydream Believer was played over the   stadium tannoy at the end of the Magpies 5-1 victory over the Black Cats   on Sunday. Newcastle fans had been taunting Bruce with an X-rated   version of the song throughout the match.                                                                 
 Full story: Daily Mirror

[DC76]

Bolton manager Owen Coyle says Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is the     "perfect candidate to succeed Fabio Capello as England coach. Coyle     described Redknapp as "an outstanding manager and a terrific man."

Good to see our man getting the respect he so richly deserves.

[Southend_Yid]

Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has flown to Abu Dhabi   to discuss transfer targets with club owner Sheikh Mansour. Wolfsburg   striker Edin Dzeko is top of the list.
                                                                 Full story: the Guardian                                                     
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is keen to leave the club and could force a move away from Anfield in January.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland could be the subject of a   £6m bid from Juventus despite the Norwegian signing an extended contract   at Craven Cottage in November 2009.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Tottenham are considering a bid for Bolton defender Gary Cahill   and may be interested in his striker team-mate Johan Elmander after the   Trotters' chairman Phil Gartside admitted he may be forced to sell   players in January.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Alternatively Ars*nal may be readying an offer for Cahill, who Bolton value at £15m.
                                                                 Full story: the Guardian                                                     
Liverpool and Chelsea are vying for the signature of Palermo   midfielder Armin Bacinovic after the Slovenian international's   impressive start to the Serie A season.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Zenit St Petersburg striker Alexander Kerzhakov has claimed that he is considering an offer from Liverpool.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Fulham manager Mark Hughes has stepped up his interest in Basel full-back Behrang Safari who is also interesting Werder Bremen.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Schalke coach Felix Magath has admitted it may be impossible   to keep 24-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, linked with Manchester   United and Liverpool, at the club.
                                                                 Full story: IM Scouting
Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has been left "hurt   and betrayed" after receiving news that his contract was not going to be   renewed during half-time of a reserve match against Bayern Munich.
                                                                 Full story: talkSPORT                                                     
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has warned Rafael van der Vaart   to improve his fitness if he wants to last the Premier League pace.                                                                  Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Ars*nal's third-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny's new   five-year deal will see his salary shoot up from £2,000 a week to   £30,000 a week.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun
Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen has offered to take   Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton out to dinner to show that their   confrontation during Rovers' 2-1 win on Wednesday is behind them.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been on the   receiving end of jibes from former England cricket captain Michael   Vaughan on Twitter after he was photographed being patted on the   backside by Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun                                                         

[Southend_Yid]

Manchester City will listen to offers in the January transfer   window for strikers Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Jo, winger   Shaun Wright-Phillips, left-back Wayne Bridge and goalkeeper Shay Given.   
                                                                 Full story: the Sun                                                     
The Eastlands club are expected to step up their efforts to sign   defender Dani Alves, 27, in January after Barcelona said they will not   move on contract negotiations with the Brazilian.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Italian striker 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.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Everton and Liverpool are both set to launch bids for   out-of-favour Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar in the January transfer   window. Spurs are believed to want £4m for the Croatia international.
                                                                 Full story: Talksport                                                     
Liverpool are also reportedly on the trail of two Swedish   defenders - FC Copenhagen's Oscar Wendt and FC Basel's Behrang Safari.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Everton are tracking Sporting Lisbon winger Yannick Djalo and   could make a move for the 24-year-old in the January transfer window.
                                                                 Full story: Talksport                                                     
Manchester United have opened talks over the signing of   Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea. The 20-year-old would cost the   Old Trafford club £15m.
                                                                 Full story: Talksport                                                     
Meanwhile, former United keeper Peter Schmeichel says Anders   Lindegaard, the man who the Red Devils have lined up to replace Edwin   van der Sar, is not good enough to play at Old Trafford. Denmark keeper   Lindegaard, 26, has provisionally agreed to move to United in January   for £3.5m.
                                                                 Full story: the Guardian                                                     
Manchester United are facing a struggle to retain the services   of another key player, with left-back Patrice Evra eager to secure a   move to Spain at the end of the season.
                                                                 Full story: the Times (subscription)                                                     
Tottenham and Manchester City are interested in Fulham's   18-year-old winger Keanu Marsh-Brown. The teenager's contract at Craven   Cottage expires at the end of the season.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
West Brom are to open talks with centre-back Gabriel Tamas over an improved three-year deal to ward off interest from Chelsea.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun                                                     
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland wants to sign for Championship   side Leicester permanently if his proposed loan spell is a success.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Winger Jermaine Pennant is trying to thrash out a deal with   his Spanish side Real Zaragoza so he can make his loan move to Stoke   permanent in January.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool could demand almost £500,000 compensation from the   Football Association to cover Steven Gerrard's wages while the   midfielder recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered during England's   friendly defeat by France on Wednesday.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun                                                     
Chelsea and England defender John Terry does not believe he will   captain his country again after being stripped of the armband last   season.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Portsmouth are enlisting the help of Fifa to reclaim the   £900,000 they claim they are owed by Inter Milan over the transfer of   midfielder Sulley Muntari.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Star
Bolton striker Kevin Davies asked his                                                                  Twitter                    followers for advice on how to cook Pop Tarts after admitting he kept burning them in his toaster.
                                                                 Full story: the Sun                                                     
Javier Hernandez has revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson made him cry -   before he had even joined Manchester United. The 22-year-old striker   could not hold back the tears when the United boss confirmed he wanted   to sign him. Hernandez insists the move might never have happened   because he almost quit football amid fears he wasn't good enough.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Star

[Southend_Yid]

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has placed an £80m price tag   on Ashley Young after Manchester United and Liverpool revealed their   interest in the winger.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Ars*nal and Manchester City have joined the race to sign Sporting   Lisbon's teenage winger Zezinho, dubbed "the new Cristiano Ronaldo".
                                                                 Full story: talksport                                                     
Napoli are pondering a January move for Liverpool's teenage striker Nathan Eccleston.
                                                                 Full story: goal.com                                                     
Liverpool are considering recalling midfielder Alberto Aquilani from his season-long loan to Juventus.
                                                                 Full story: caughtoffside.com                                                     
The Reds are also interested in Lille's central defender Adil Rami and forward Gervinho.
                                                                 Full story: The Independent                                                     
But Lille midfielder Eden Hazard will not be leaving the club despite interest from Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.
                                                                 Full story: sport.co.uk                                                     
Liverpool could make a shock January move for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
                                                                 Full story: Metro                                                     
West Ham striker Carlton Cole could be on his way to Liverpool in   January after publicly criticising the tactics of Hammers manager Avram   Grant.
                                                                 Full story: Metro                                                     
Meanwhile, former Hammers defender Anton Ferdinand could be on   his way back to Upton Park with the Sunderland centre-back set to leave   the Stadium of Light.
                                                                 Full story: Metro                                                     
Manchester United expect to clinch the signing of 26-year-old   goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, of Norwegian club Aalesund, by the   weekend.
                                                                 Full story: talksport                                                     
In-form striker Johan Elmander has stalled on signing a new   contract with Bolton - and sparked a scramble for his signature.   Liverpool, Newcastle and Stoke are interested.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Fulham are ready to win the £3m race for 6ft 8in Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore of Romanian side Cluj.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Cottagers boss Mark Hughes could raid former club Manchester   City with keeper Shay Given, winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and striker   Roque Santa Cruz all on Fulham's wish list.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Manchester United target David De Gea has said he will happily   reject overtures from Sir Alex Ferguson to remain at Atletico Madrid.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Dimitar Berbatov will definitely not be leaving Old Trafford in January, according to the player's agent Emil Dantchev.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Birmingham are poised to make a £2m move for Swedish striker Denni Avdic who plays for IF Elsborg.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Ars*nal target Gokhan Inler could leave Udinese if the right club makes the right offer, says the Swiss midfielder's agent.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror                                                     
Dinamo Zagreb vice-president Zdravko Mamic has revealed that the   Croatian side have rejected a £17m offer from Ars*nal for highly rated   youngsters midfielder Mateo Kovacic and wing-back Sime Vrsaljko.
                                                                 Full story: caughtoffside                                                     
Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan says he will not be joining Tottenham in January and will instead end his career in Spain.
                                                                 Full story: talksport                                                     
Palermo's defensive midfielder Armin Bacinovic is a target for Chelsea and Liverpool.
                                                                 Full story: talksport                                                     
Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips could be about to start a bidding war between Championship promotion chasers QPR and Swansea.
                                                                 Full story: Metro
Tottenham defender William Gallas has boldly predicted that Spurs   can win "everything" this season, despite having already been knocked   out of the Carling Cup.
                                                                 Full story: talksport                                                     
Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed will back manager Mark Hughes in   the transfer window but vented his anger at the 4-1 home loss to   Manchester City last week.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Plymouth have held talks with former Leeds and Cardiff   chairman Peter Ridsdale over potential investment in the cash-strapped   club.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Tottenham will press ahead with plans to move to the Olympic   Stadium despite receiving the go-ahead to build a new 56,000-seater   arena adjacent to White Hart Lane.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mail                                                     
Winger Stewart Downing believes new Aston Villa manager Gerard   Houllier needs to bring in up to five new players during the January   transfer window.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has revealed that the team's good spirit has been partly helped by the game rock-papers-scissors.
"The   lads do a 'scissors, paper, rock' thing and there is a punishment for   the loser. So they are getting good at playing it - or else. The loser   gets his ears flicked and it is painful," said the Scot.
                                                                 Full story: Daily Mirror