EXCLUSIVE Football News

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THE GUARDIAN:
David Moyes was handed a six-year contract to become manager of Manchester United yesterday, showing the deep belief the club has in naming the Scot as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor. Also: Gareth Bale has given the clearest hint yet that he wants to stay at Tottenham Hotspur next season but admitted it will be a big blow if they miss out on Champions League qualification.


THE TIMES:
Wayne Rooney is prepared to re-consider his future at Manchester United after David Moyes was formally announced as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor as manager yesterday. Also: Just when Watford thought they had doused all the euphoria that Leicester City brought into this play-off semi-final first leg, David Nugent popped up to head in the goal that appears to have taken Nigel Pearson's team halfway to Wembley.


DAILY TELEGRAPH:
David Moyes will decide Wayne Rooney's Manchester United future with the forward now open-minded about remaining at the club following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. Also: The prospect of Jose Mourinho making an emotional return to Chelsea has received resounding dressing-room support, with Frank Lampard describing the self-styled 'Special One' as perhaps the "greatest manager in world football".


THE INDEPENDENT:
Wayne Rooney is prepared to consider staying at Manchester United under David Moyes, who has been appointed manager on a remarkable six-year deal yesterday, but having made his second request to leave in three years he will find the odds stacked against him in his attempts to win over supporters and Sir Alex Ferguson's successor. Also: Britain's Mark Cavendish pulled off a faultless victory in the Giro d'Italia yesterday, bringing his stage wins in bunch sprints in this year's race to two out of two and his collection of Giro stage victories to a career total of 12.


THE SUN:
David Moyes is ready to raid his old club Everton for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini. Also: John Terry and Frank Lampard could both be axed for the Europa League final.


DAILY MAIL:
David Moyes stepped into the biggest shoes in British football last night and was immediately tipped to succeed at Manchester United by predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson. Also: There was little at Grace Road to make England's front-line bowlers look anxiously over their shoulders as England Lions toiled in the face of an assault from New Zealand's Hamish Rutherford.


DAILY STAR:
David Moyes has told his new Manchester United bosses: Make signing Robert Lewandowski our number one priority. Also: Everton have made Malky Mackay their number one choice to succeed David Moyes at Goodison Park.

DAILY MIRROR:
David Moyes wants to make Marouane Fellaini his first signing for Manchester United - as Wayne Rooney's replacement. Also: John Terry and Frank Lampard are facing the ultimate Chelsea indignity with Rafa Benitez ready to leave them both out of the Europa League final.
DAILY EXPRESS: David Moyes has been handed a six-year contract by Manchester United to underline their confidence that he is the right man to follow Sir Alex Ferguson. Also: BT Sport yesterday laid out the battle plan to take on Sky's dominance by offering free Premier League football to armchair fans - a plan that puts the inexperienced Michael Owen right at the vanguard as a co-commentator.

 

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Daily Express:
David Moyes insists his conscience is clear over his move to Manchester United, which came out of the blue. Also: Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has called on the club to end the speculation surrounding Gareth Bale by giving him a new contract now.

Daily Star:
Andre Villas-Boas has urged the Tottenham board to break the bank to keep Gareth Bale. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson quit as Manchester United boss due to stress, according to Fabio Capello.

Daily Mirror:
Manchester United's players want Sir Alex Ferguson to be presented with the Premier League trophy tomorrow. Also: Wigan chairman Dave Whelan will lead his side out at Wembley today when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

Daily Mail:
Galatasaray plan to take advantage of John Terry's predicament at Chelsea by signing him on a three-year contract worth up to ?200,000 a week. Also: Fabio Capello has revealed that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has chosen to retire because of the stress of managing in the Barclays Premier League.

The Sun:
Manchester United are lining up Karim Benzema as a replacement for Wayne Rooney. Also: Roberto Martinez has slapped a bubbly ban on his Cup final stars - but says their dressing room will be awash with Irn-Bru if they beat Manchester City.

The Guardian:
Galatasaray are to test John Terry's resolve to remain at Chelsea after the Turkish champions indicated they would be prepared to match the defender's salary, and offer him regular first-team football, as they prepare a formal bid for his services. Also: Darren Ferguson has promised that his father, Sir Alex, will not interfere with the running of Manchester United when David Moyes takes over on 1 July.

Daily Telegraph:
Roberto Mancini is battling to save his job as Manchester City manager at Wembley for the FA Cup final, with the club considering a deal to lure Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini to the Etihad Stadium. Also: David Moyes spoke of the "inner-devilment" driving him on, a quality that gives him a chance of succeeding at Manchester United.

The Times:
Samir Nasri has an awful lot to get off his chest. This is less of an interview and more of a confession, an apology, an appeal, a mission statement. Also: Roberto Mancini was facing a losing battle to save his job last night, with Manchester City on the brink of securing a deal with Manuel Pellegrini on the eve of the FA Cup Final.

Independent:
Manchester City's FA Cup Final preparations have been overshadowed by suggestions from Spain that manager Roberto Mancini is set to be replaced by Manuel Pellegrini, who has told his Malaga players that he is leaving the club. Also: David Moyes, the Manchester United manager-designate, will sit down with Wayne Rooney and seek to thrash out the striker's future as a matter of urgency.

 

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH:
Roberto Mancini urged the Manchester City hierarchy to come clean on speculation linking Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini with his job after Wigan's FA Cup final victory left him facing the sack at the Etihad Stadium. Also: Everton are planning a formal approach to Cardiff City to Malky Mackay about succeeding David Moyes as manager.


Roberto Mancini: Dominating the back pages

SUNDAY TIMES:
Wigan Athletic, small-town Wigan, slayed the richest team in English football history to claim the greatest FA Cup final shock in a quarter of a century and push Roberto Mancini towards a bitter exit from Manchester City.


THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY:
Roberto Mancini is set to leave Manchester City on a losing note after his side suffered a shock defeat in the FA Cup final against Wigan Athletic at Wembley yesterday.


THE OBSERVER:
Roberto Martinez paid glowing tribute to his Wigan team after they stunned Manchester City to win the FA Cup final at Wembley. Also: Frank Lampard has expressed his desire to stay with Chelsea for another season after he scored twice in a 2-1 win at Aston Villa to surpass Bobby Tambling and become the club's all-time leading goalscorer.


THE SUN:
The player nicknamed "Prince Harry" sent Wigan up to the Royal Box to lift one of the crown jewels of world football. Also: Angry Chelsea are considering making a complaint after Aston Villa fans abused John Terry as he was carried off.


SUNDAY PEOPLE:
Wayne Rooney believes he is being forced out of Manchester United after details of a training ground summit were leaked. Also: Roberto Mancini turned on his Manchester City bosses for failing to back him after Wigan pulled off one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in history.


SUNDAY MIRROR:
Sir Alex Ferguson is set to sign off his career with one final triumph. Also: Ben Watson's last-gasp header saw Wigan pull off the biggest FA Cup final shock for 25 years.


DAILY STAR SUNDAY:
Ben Watson scored a stunning header as little Wigan won the FA Cup against mighty Man City yesterday. Also: Arsenal are ready to put to the test Man United's claim that Wayne Rooney is not for sale.


SUNDAY EXPRESS:
New Manchester United manager David Moyes is facing his first big clash - dealing with wantaway Wayne Rooney. Also: Roberto Martinez celebrated Wigan's sensational 1-0 FA Cup final win over Manchester City, then vowed: "Now for a glorious double."


THE MAIL ON SUNDAY:
Wigan Athletic pulled off the greatest FA Cup final shock in 25 years to embarrass Roberto Mancini and his ?200million Manchester City team. Also: Roberto Mancini lost the chance to lift the FA Cup at Wembley last night - and now faces being sacked in the next two weeks as Manchester City moved to install Chilean Manuel Pellegrini as his successor.

 

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THE SUN:
Alex Ferguson choked back the tears and thanked Manchester United for "the most fantastic experience of my life." Also: Furious Roberto Mancini is heading for the Manchester City exit door claiming he has been knifed in the back.


DAILY MAIL
: Wayne Rooney made it clear he remains determined to quit Manchester United after an incredible snub at Sir Alex Ferguson's final home game yesterday. Also: Furious Roberto Mancini is today waiting to learn when exactly he will be sacked as Manchester City manager.


DAILY STAR:
Sir Alex Ferguson last night revealed wantaway Wayne Rooney asked to miss his manager's Old Trafford farewell. Also: Roberto Mancini will be sacked this week in the wake of Manchester City's FA Cup humiliation against Wigan.


DAILY MIRROR:
Sir Alex Ferguson bid an emotional farewell to Old Trafford and urged Manchester United's fans to get behind his successor David Moyes. Also: Roberto Mancini will be sacked by Manchester City this week - with Manuel Pellegrini coming in to replace him.


THE GUARDIAN:
Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out in his final home game as Manchester United manager with a 2-1 win over Swansea City before thanking everyone for the "most fantastic experience of my life" and imploring fans to get behind his successor, David Moyes. Also: Roberto Mancini is to be sacked as the Manchester City manager, with the Italian's tenure to end before the club's post-season tour to the United States and possibly this week.


DAILY TELEGRAPH:
He left in style. Sir Alex Ferguson left Old Trafford with a Premier League medal, with an adoring audience chanting "we love you, Fergie" and, typically, he left with a decisive late goal. He left a winner. Also: Wayne Rooney's Manchester United career may have reached a point of no return after Sir Alex Ferguson revealed the forward had handed in a transfer request and did not want to play in his farewell game at Old Trafford because it had been rejected.


DAILY EXPRESS:
Roberto Mancini will be sacked this week by Manchester City to clear the way for the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has told Wayne Rooney to get his head straight after confirming the England striker has requested to leave Manchester United... Wigan's FA Cup joy did not last long as all their relegation rivals pulled away from them yesterday.


THE INDEPENDENT:
This is how they all dream of leaving. Every politician, every captain of industry, every totalitarian leader of every rogue state and every football manager that ever lived will have looked on Sir Alex Ferguson's day at Old Trafford yesterday and thought that, as farewells go, it would be pretty impossible to improve on. Also: At both Everton and Manchester United it was independence day. However, in contrast to Old Trafford, where Sir Alex Ferguson's goodbye was staged like a North Korean rally, David Moyes's farewell was understated and in its way classier.

THE TIMES:
Manchester United supporters bade an emotional farewell to Sir Alex Ferguson on an extraordinary day when their counterparts at Manchester City were coming to terms with the news that Roberto Mancini, their own manager, will be sacked.

 

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THE SUN:
Alex Ferguson threw down the gauntlet to new Manchester United manager David Moyes and roared: Make it three titles in a row. Also: Roberto Mancini was axed by Manchester City last night - and could walk straight into a job with Monaco ... Phil Jagielka is a ?10million target for new Manchester United boss David Moyes.


DAILY MAIL:
Roberto Mancini's reign as Manchester City manager was ended last night - a year to the day after he won the Barclays Premier League title. Also: Wayne Rooney is expected to meet David Moyes for talks over his future as early as next week - and last night Manchester United's new manager described the striker as 'one of the best players in the world' ... Jack Wilshere will undergo ankle surgery next week, ruling him out of England's forthcoming internationals against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.


DAILY MIRROR:
Wayne Rooney was booed by Manchester United fans on the team's open-top bus parade to celebrate their Premier League triumph. Also: Manchester City last night sacked Roberto Mancini - a year to the day after he led them to the Premier League title.


DAILY EXPRESS:
David Moyes is set for talks with Wayne Rooney next week to establish whether he is prepared to make a U-turn on his decision to quit Manchester United. Also: Rafa Benitez is expected to make a late U-turn and play record-breaker Frank Lampard in the Europa League final ... Laura Robson destroyed one of the legends of the game when she beat five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first round of the Rome International event - then admitted she has predicted her victory five years ago.


DAILY STAR:
David Moyes will hold showdown talks with Wayne Rooney next week in a bid to resolve the striker's Manchester United future. Also: Real Madrid have already started the hunt for Jose Mourinho's successor by making a move for Carlo Ancelotti... Sir Alex Ferguson has issued one final challenge to his Manchester United squad - win a hat-trick of Barclays Premier League titles.


THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Manuel Pellegrini's imminent appointment as Manchester City manager confirms the emergence of Txiki Begiristain, the sporting director at the Etihad Stadium, as the true driving force of change on the football side of the club. Also: Jose Mourinho's expected return to Chelsea moved another significant step forward last night when Real Madrid made what Paris St Germain are treating as an official approach for Carlo Ancelotti.


THE TIMES:
Manchester City's sacking of Roberto Mancini is expected to spark a desperate scramble for the Italian's services and a managerial merry-go-round among some of Europe's leading clubs. Also: Alan Pardew has been told to prepare for next season after Newcastle secured their position in the Barclays Premier League by beating QPR at the weekend.


THE GUARDIAN:
Wayne Rooney and Manchester United are locked in a stalemate regarding his future, with the forward expected to meet with new manager David Moyes next week for discussions that may lead to a compromise. Also: Arsene Wenger has confirmed Jack Wilshere will miss England's friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil to have a minor operation on his right ankle... Rio Ferdinand is expected to hold contract talks with Manchester United on a new one-year deal.


THE INDEPENDENT:
Arsene Wenger sees something of his younger self in Roberto Martinez and said it would be "sad" if Wigan are relegated, as they surely will be if they do not beat Arsenal tonight. Also: Southampton's controversial chairman Nicola Cortese is looking for renewed backing from the trust which owns the club, before he decides whether to continue ... Roy Hodgson will be at the Emirates Stadium tonight to watch Wigan's Callum McManaman for the second time in four days.

 

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THE SUN:
Wigan went from FA Cup glory to relegation heartbreak last night. Also: Crocked John Terry will lift the trophy with Frank Lampard if Chelsea win tonight's Europa League final.


THE TIMES:
Roberto Martinez paid tribute to his Wigan Athletic side after their luck finally ran out when they were relegated from the Premier League after a 4-1 defeat by Arsenal, just three days after the greatest day in their history when they lifted the FA Cup. Also: Wayne Rooney is likely to perform another dramatic about-turn by committing his future to Manchester United under David Moyes.


THE INDEPENDENT:
From Wembley ecstasy, to Championship anonymity. Wigan Athletic have become the first FA Cup winners to be relegated after they ran into an Arsenal team on a mission to Europe. Also: Bayern Munich have flatly denied they are willing to offer Wayne Rooney a way out of Manchester United.


DAILY MAIL:
Wigan last night became the first FA Cup winners to suffer relegation in the same season. Also: John Terry faces Europa League heartbreak to convince manager Rafa Benitez to put him on the bench for the final against Benfica here tonight.


DAILY STAR:
Wigan were sent crashing into the Championship last night after a crushing defeat by Arsenal. Also: David Moyes may not have been Manchester United's first choice to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson.


DAILY MIRROR:
Wigan made unwanted history by becoming the first FA Cup winners to be relegated in the same season. Also: Stand-in skipper Frank Lampard last night revealed Chelsea have not practised penalties ahead of the Europa League final.


DAILY EXPRESS:
Arsenal finally relegated brave Wigan last night, and took a massive stride toward claiming Champions League football again next season. Also: Frank Lampard has admitted that Chelsea have not been practising penalties as they prepare to face Benfica in the Europa League final tonight.


THE GUARDIAN:
If Wayne Rooney's time at Manchester United really is coming to a close, it seems that Bayern Munich can be struck from his list of potential destinations. Also: David Platt has resigned from Manchester City as assistant manager having declined the offer to continue, with the 46-year-old deciding that after the sacking of Roberto Mancini he would follow the Italian, who is a good friend, from the club.


THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Wigan Athletic made history at Wembley at the weekend, winning the first major trophy in their 81 years, and then sadly, painfully, tearfully they made more history here, becoming the first FA Cup winners to suffer relegation in the same season. Also: Roberto Mancini's dismissal as Manchester City manager has been received with "delight" and "relief" by the first-team squad and remaining members of the backroom team as a result of intense antipathy towards the Italian's dictatorial approach.

 

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THE SUN:
Chelsea were last night crowned Europa League . Also: Roy Hodgson is totally behind Rio Ferdinand's decision to quit England.



DAILY MAIL:
Rafa Benitez will sign off at Chelsea with silverware after Branislav Ivanovic's stunning injury-time winner took the Europa League trophy to Stamford Bridge. Also: Ashley Cole will be invited to captain England against the Republic of Ireland on May 29 to commemorate his 100th cap - only seven months after the controversial full back branded the FA a 'bunch of t***s'.



DAILY MIRROR:
Branislav Ivanovic handed Rafa Benitez the perfect farewell gift in Amsterdam. Also: Wayne Rooney is at the centre of a bizarre transfer saga linking him with a move to Newcastle.



DAILY EXPRESS:
Chelsea won the Europa League in dramatic fashion in Amsterdam last night as Branislav Ivanovic headed a winner in stoppage time. Also: Rio Ferdinand's decision to call time on his international career will not lead to a recall for John Terry.



DAILY STAR:
Branislav Ivanovic headed Chelsea to Europa League glory in Amsterdam last night. Also: Manuel Pellegrini has handed Manchester City a five-man shortlist of transfer targets after agreeing a two-year contract at the Etihad.



THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
They just never give up. Chelsea just keep on fighting. Just as thoughts were turning to extra time last night, Branislav Ivanovic, who missed last year's Champions League final suspended, settled this Europa League final with a glorious header that looped through the air.



THE TIMES:
Chelsea made history last night by becoming the first club to hold the Champions League and Europa League concurrently as they stunned Benfica with a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Branislav Ivanovic.



THE GUARDIAN:
The huge clocks at either end of the stadium had just ticked past 92 minutes when Branislav Ivanovic made the run that will immortalise him in Chelsea history. Also: Andy Murray, as disconsolate as he has been for some time after being struck down again by a chronic back injury, said yesterday, his 26th birthday, that he would be "very surprised" if he were ready to play in the French Open, which starts a week this Sunday.



THE INDEPENDENT:
Frank Lampard lifted the Europa League for victorious Chelsea last night after a stunning late victory and is set for further reward with a new one-year contract extension to stay at Stamford Bridge set to be confirmed.

 

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THE SUN:
David Beckham was last night urged to stick with England and take a top job at the FA. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson has finally admitted he always put pressure on referees as he prepares for his final game at West Brom on Sunday.



DAILY MAIL:
David Beckham brought the curtain down on an eventful, often turbulent, career yesterday as he announced his retirement from professional football. Also: Arsenal have discussed a move for unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.



DAILY MIRROR:
Spurs are confident Gareth Bale will sign a stunning new deal worth ?170,000 a week. Also: David Beckham yesterday announced his retirement after one of the greatest careers in football history.



DAILY EXPRESS:
David Beckham believes he is bowing out as a champion and hopes he will be remembered more for his achievements on the pitch rather than the focus he has drawn off it. Also: Frank Lampard believes the return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea will give him the chance to win the fourth Premier League title he wants so badly.



DAILY STAR:
David Beckham yesterday called time on his illustrious career and declared: I'm quitting as a champion. Also: Rio Ferdinand has thrown down the gauntlet to Manchester United's biggest rivals and warned: It's up to you to catch us now.



THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
David Beckham, English football's most iconic global star, has announced his retirement as a professional player, saying he was "leaving at the top". Also: Gus Poyet has been suspended by Brighton and Hove Albion and is facing legal action as his likely departure from the Amex Stadium becomes even more acrimonious.



THE TIMES:
Frank Lampard declared yesterday that Chelsea must not allow a glorious ending to a turbulent season to disguise the need for stability - ideally under Jose Mourinho - if they are to capitalise on uncertainty surrounding Manchester City and Manchester United next season. Also: Long before he was seen as a haircut, a tight pair of underpants or a global ambassador, David Beckham was distinguished by the crisp, elegant beauty with which he struck a football.



THE GUARDIAN:
David Beckham has announced the end of his glittering career 21 years after making his debut for Manchester United. Also: Frank Lampard believes Jose Mourinho's anticipated reappointment as manager this summer will restore Chelsea as a "consistent force" and enable the club to challenge for the Premier League title next season.



THE INDEPENDENT:
The decision to go was presented much like an announcement to the Stock Exchange, wrapping in formality what industry insiders already knew. David Beckham was finished as a footballer long ago. Also: Gustavo Poyet's departure from Brighton & Hove Albion moved a step closer yesterday when he was suspended by the Championship club along with his assistant, Mauricio Taricco, and first-team coach, Charlie Oatway.

 

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THE SUN: Brighton are set to call in the police to find out who did a poo in the Crystal Palace dressing room before Monday's play-off crunch. Also: Alex Ferguson happily washed his hands of the Wayne Rooney problem and told David Moyes: "You can deal with it now."



DAILY MAIL:
Cristiano Ronaldo is at the centre of a bidding war after it emerged the Manchester United target is wanted by Chelsea. Also: Stoke City players are facing disciplinary action after an end-of-season prank involving a pig's head backfired horribly yesterday afternoon.



DAILY MIRROR:
Kenwyne Jones was the victim of a sick training-ground prank at Stoke yesterday when he found a pig's head in his locker. Also: Two Notts County coaches have quit the club after allegations of racist behaviour.
DAILY EXPRESS:
Sir Alex Ferguson has washed his hands of Wayne Rooney's future as he prepares for his farewell game in charge of Manchester United. Also: Stoke have launched an inquiry after Kenwyne Jones found a pig's head in his training ground dressing room locker.



DAILY STAR:
Roberto Martinez has cleared the way for a move to Everton after admitting he is ready to quit Wigan. Also: Barcelona's celebrations went with a swing when they celebrated their La Liga success with an opentop bus procession round the Spanish city.



THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Sir Alex Ferguson prepared for his final game in charge of Manchester United by delivering one last swipe at Manchester City following their "amazing" decision to sack Roberto Mancini. Also: Andre Villas-Boas is plotting a revolution at Tottenham Hotspur and he claims the club do not need Champions League football next season for him to pull it off.



THE TIMES:
At two minutes before 3 o'clock on a bitterly cold Lord's afternoon, James Anderson looked down at the ball in his hand and stretched out into the rhythmical 15-pace run that has characterised the best years of his England career. Seconds later it had nestled in the hands of Graeme Swann at second slip, via Peter Fulton's outside edge, giving Anderson his 300th Test wicket. Also: When Mikkel Kessler says that he will retire if he loses to Carl Froch next weekend, he follows it up with an assurance that he is not looking for a new career.



THE GUARDIAN:
Sir Ian Botham is confident that Jimmy Anderson will surpass him as England's leading Test wicket-taker after the Lancastrian became the fourth member of an exclusive 300 club here. Also: Kenwyne Jones allegedly smashed up the car of a team-mate believed to be Glenn Whelan after the Stoke City striker found "a bloody pig's head" wrapped in his clothes, which he believed the midfielder had placed there, according to tweets by Jones's girlfriend on Friday afternoon.



THE INDEPENDENT:
It was with his usual disarming frankness that Arsene Wenger responded to an inquiry as to whether he would be signing the 20-year-old Auxerre striker Yaya Sanogo, available on a free transfer from the Ligue 2 club. "We are advanced in talks with him but it's not done," Wenger said. "I'm very confident it will be." Also: There was no tea or coffee at Manchester United's training ground but there was wine, served in plastic cups at nine in the morning.

 

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THE SUN SUNDAY:
Chelsea are set to take a ?30million hit and sell Fernando Torres this summer. Also: Arsenal and Tottenham hope to be on song for Europe today.


SUNDAY MIRROR:
Chelsea want Manchester United to name their price for Wayne Rooney. Also: Paolo Di Canio has claimed Sunderland would have been relegated this season if he had not replaced Martin O'Neill.


DAILY STAR SUNDAY:
Monaco are the latest club eyeing Wayne Rooney's uncertain future at Man United. Also: Roy Hodgson has revealed his shock and disappointment at three top Premier League clubs going on tour this week ahead of England's next two matches.


SUNDAY EXPRESS:
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley will hand over a staggering ?1 million to be shared among his St James' Park matchday workers if the Toon beat Arsenal this afternoon. Also: England boss Roy Hodgson has hit out at Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs after each club arranged a tour at the end of a gruelling season.


MAIL ON SUNDAY:
Jonny Wilkinson's gilt-edged career was made complete last night in Dublin when he lifted the Heineken Cup high above his head after leading Toulon to the greatest prize in European rugby. Also: Wayne Rooney will not travel with the Manchester United squad for Sir Alex Ferguson's final game today - but he does so with the blessing of his retiring manager.


THE SUNDAY TIMES:
Chelsea believe they have won the race to sign Luke Shaw, Southampton's 17-year-old left-back and England's most coveted young footballer. Also: Toulon, the team of glittering talents from the South of France who started the Heineken Cup final with only four Frenchmen in their side, are champions of Europe after one of the sport's grandest occasions at the Aviva stadium in Dublin.


THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH:
Jonny Wilkinson last night said that he ranked Toulon's Heineken Cup triumph in Dublin alongside anything else he had achieved in his extraordinary career. Also: Roy Hodgson will ask England supporters attending the friendly with the Republic of Ireland not to sing "No Surrender (to the IRA)".


INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY:
Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones has apologised to his team-mate Glenn Whelan after smashing his car windscreen in a mistaken act of retribution for a training ground prank which went wrong. Also: England at last recognised yesterday where they were and what it was they were supposed to be doing. After two days of haplessly plodding around in a blindfold unsure of their purpose in life, they emerged blinking into the sunlight ready to begin the 2013 international cricket season.


THE OBSERVER:
Roy Hodgson has criticised Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham for the timing of their post-season tours of the US, claiming England's plans for friendly matches against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil have been "scotched". Also: The weekend of Alpine stages in the Giro d'Italia was intended to make the cyclists hurt but instead has caused palpitations for the organisers, forcing them to cancel climbs and reroute stages at short notice due to heavy snow, which has made the roads dangerous for cyclists and race vehicles.


THE PEOPLE:
Kind-hearted Mike Ashley will pay Newcastle's backroom staff a ?1million bonus if the Toon beat Arsenal today. Also: Paolo Di Canio is furious after more than a dozen Sunderland players partied at a casino in the build-up to today's big Tottenham clash.

 

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THE SUN:
Andre Villas-Boas admits Spurs must keep Gareth Bale. Also: Alastair Cook hailed Stuart Broad and James Anderson after they demolished New Zealand.


DAILY MAIL:
Arsene Wenger vowed to invest in the summer after Arsenal secured Champions League football for the 16th successive year. Also: Trust Sir Alex Ferguson to bow out as a record breaker.


DAILY MIRROR:
It was goodnight from him... and him... and him... and him. Also: Andre Villas-Boas has told Spurs to buy big this summer to prevent a repeat of Tottenham's Champions League heartbreak.


DAILY EXPRESS:
Andre Villas-Boas accused referee Andre Marriner of swinging the race for Champions League football Arsenal's way when he denied Spurs a penalty and booked Gareth Bale. Also: England captain Alastair Cook described the spell of new-ball bowling that destroyed New Zealand at Lord's as the best he had ever seen.


DAILY STAR:
Laurent Koscielny secured Arsenal's Champions League slot with a dramatic winner at Newcastle. Also: Paolo Di Canio labelled his Sunderland flops the most ignorant and arrogant players he has ever seen.


THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
After Arsenal claimed the desperately fought-over final Champions League place yesterday, Tottenham Hotspur head coach Andre Villas-Boas insisted that his club, who agonisingly missed out by a single point, must hold on to Gareth Bale if they were serious about competing with the top four next season. Also: Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out in a crazy tickertape blizzard of goals after one of those "football, bloody hell" type of games, the first 5-5 in Premier League history.


THE TIMES:
The first Test match of the summer, which had begun at a snail's crawl on Thursday, ended in a flash yesterday, like Usain Bolt in an Olympic final. Also: No longer is Jonny Wilkinson merely the man who won the World Cup for England.


THE GUARDIAN:
Arsene Wenger has heaped praise on his "special" players after securing a place in the qualifying round of next season's Champions League but pledged to strengthen his squad in the summer. Also: Andre Villas-Boas has urged the Tottenham board to invest strongly in the squad over the summer to help the club close the gap on the Premier League's top four, which they narrowly failed to make this time out.


THE INDEPENDENT:
At the final whistle, Arsene Wenger turned towards his bench with both fists in the air and instinctively hugged the nearest man in an Arsenal jersey, which happened to be Mikel Arteta. Also: Paolo Di Canio launched a ferocious attacked on his Sunderland players last night, saying some of them were worse than "arrogant and ignorant" ones he had at Swindon Town.

 

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THE SUN:
Jose Mourinho is free to return to Chelsea this summer. Also: David Moyes will meet Wayne Rooney to demand 100 per cent commitment to Manchester United - or give the go-ahead for his exit.


DAILY MAIL:
Tottenham's failure to secure Champions League football is going to impact heavily on contract talks with their star performer Gareth Bale. Also: Further shame has been heaped on Sheik Mohammed's Godolphin operation with seven more horses trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni testing positive for a banned drug.


DAILY MIRROR:
Real Madrid have waived Jose Mourinho's Bernabeu release clause - clearing the Special One to return to Chelsea for nothing. Also: David Moyes put his Manchester United career into first gear yesterday by reporting for duty at the Carrington training ground.


DAILY EXPRESS:
Jose Mourinho is leaving Real Madrid - and his switch to Chelsea will not cost Roman Abramovich a penny. Also: Kevin Pietersen's prospects of playing in this summer's Ashes remain in doubt, despite his guest appearance during England's Lord's victory.


DAILY STAR:
Chelsea will get Jose Mourinho for free after Real Madrid last night released the Portuguese coach. Also: David Moyes was shown the ropes by Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday as he started his Manchester United job six weeks early.


THE DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Jose Mourinho cleared a massive obstacle surrounding his proposed return to Chelsea on Monday night by agreeing to forego ?17 million in compensation to ensure that he is free to leave Real Madrid this summer. Also: Arsenal have put signing a world-class striker at the heart of their summer transfer plans, with Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain emerging as an increasingly realistic target.


THE TIMES:
Chelsea were given the green light to reappoint Jose Mourinho as their manager last night after Real Madrid called time on his turbulent three-year tenure in Spain. Also: Gareth Bale is expected to commit his future to Tottenham Hotspur in the coming days, with the outstanding player of this Barclays Premier League season expected to sign a new contract worth about ?130,000-a-week at White Hart Lane.


THE GUARDIAN:
Chelsea will not have to pay compensation for Jose Mourinho after Real Madrid confirmed that the Portuguese manager will leave the Bernabeu at the end of the season by mutual consent. Nothing now stands in the way of Chelsea and Mourinho formalising an agreement that was reached in principle months ago. Also: Gareth Bale is poised to commit his immediate future to Tottenham Hotspur after agreeing improved terms in principle to remain at White Hart Lane despite the club's failure to reach the Champions League. The deal is expected to include a release clause for bids over ?50m that can be triggered at the end of next season.


THE INDEPENDENT:
Gareth Bale will be offered the opportunity to sign yet another lucrative contract at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, in excess of ?150,000 a week, or stay on his existing deal and be sold next year - but he has been told by the club that there is no prospect of him leaving this summer. Also: Tottenham' success in tying down Gareth Bale this summer will not prevent Real Madrid trying to reach an agreement to take him in a year's time.

 

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THE GUARDIAN:
Stoke City have started their search for a new manager after Tony Pulis' second spell in charge at the Britannia Stadium came to a sour end when he was sacked yesterday afternoon. Also: Liverpool have accepted a ?15million offer from West Ham United for Andy Carroll, a ?20m loss on their record signing in 28 months, but face a struggle to convince the striker to sever his Anfield ties for Upton Park.


DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Andy Flower has banned England's cricketers from talking publicly about the Ashes for the next month. Also: Tony Pulis's seven-year reign at Stoke City came to a brutal end when he was sacked by chairman Peter Coates yesterday, even though his proud record of never being relegated as a manager remained intact.


THE TIMES:
Manchester City have struck a pioneering $100million deal with the New York Yankees baseball team to create a Major League Soccer franchise in the United States that could open up unrivalled commercial opportunities in the world's most lucrative sports market. Also: Andy Carroll's brief Liverpool career looks set to come to an end after West Ham United had a ?15million offer for him accepted.


THE INDEPENDENT:
The Football League is facing mounting pressure to back trials for safe standing after an overwhelming majority of Championship clubs went against the League's stance and voted in favour of permitting trials at a meeting earlier this season. Also: Andy Carroll was last night stalling on a move to West Ham after a ?15million fee was agreed with Liverpool, in the hope that Newcastle enter the race for his signature.


THE SUN:
Frank Lampard has given a graphic insight into the interim rule of Rafa Benitez. Also: Stoke City will try to bring in Rafa Benitez as their new boss after ending Tony Pulis' reign.


DAILY STAR:
Real Madrid are ready to blow Tottenham out of the water in a bid to sign Gareth Bale this summer. Also: Wayne Rooney is still determined to quit Manchester United this summer.


DAILY MAIL:
Tony Pulis was sacked as Stoke boss yesterday as the Barclays Premier League's managerial merry-go-round continued to spin out of control. Also: Andy Carroll is expected to join West Ham in a permanent deal after Liverpool last night agreed to take a ?20million loss on the striker.


DAILY EXPRESS:
Stoke last night sacked manager Tony Pulis - and Roberto Martinez has 48 hours to decide whether he wants to replace him. Also: Civil war has broken out at Sunderland days after Premier League safety was secured, with the Professional Footballers' Association now calling for a period of calm.


DAILY MIRROR:
Wayne Rooney fears he is being forced out of Manchester United - and into exile with Paris St Germain. Also: Gael Clichy says Roberto Mancini can have no complaints at being sacked by Manchester City.

 

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THE TIMES:
The New Zealand bowlers have admitted they will try to exploit the pre-Ashes nerves of the England batsmen when the second Test begins at Headingley Carnegie tomorrow. ALSO: There is a tournament due to begin at Wentworth today, but yesterday the BMW PGA Championship felt more like a relationship counselling service. Yet while Sergio Garcia grimly opened his heart about his public spat with Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy remained tight-lipped about a split in his own life that could cost him millions.


DAILY TELEGRAPH:
Sergio Garcia has issued an emotional apology to Tiger Woods for his racist jibe against the world No 1 but is still facing the prospect of losing millions of pounds in sponsorship deals. ALSO: Manuel Pellegrini is expected to start work at Manchester City on June 3 and begin immediate talks to resolve the uncertain futures of Carlos Tevez and Gareth Barry after confirming his decision to resign as Malaga coach.


THE INDEPENDENT:
Sergio Garcia was battling desperately to save his reputation last night after a racist remark aimed at Tiger Woods triggered outrage and disgust throughout golf. ALSO: Manuel Pellegrini is expected to meet his new Manchester City players a week on Monday, seven days after the club's anticipated confirmation that he is to succeed Roberto Mancini and become first-team coach.


THE GUARDIAN:
Sergio Garcia has denied racist intent in his comments towards Tiger Woods on Tuesday night, with the Spaniard also escaping any punishment from golf's ruling bodies for his now infamous remarks at the European Tour's annual gala dinner. ALSO: Manuel Pellegrini has cleared the way for a move to Manchester City by announcing he is to leave Malaga at the end of the Spanish league season.


DAILY EXPRESS:
Paris Saint-Germain have made contact with Wayne Rooney as they step up their attempts to sign the Manchester United striker and his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. ALSO: A shame-faced Sergio Garcia has escaped official punishment after making a grovelling apology to Tiger Woods yesterday over his ill-advised remarks at the European Tour players' awards - but they are set to cost him millions.


DAILY MAIL:
Sergio Garcia is facing losses running into millions after his biggest sponsor threatened to dump him last night in the wake of his race comment about Tiger Woods. ALSO: The fighting friendship between Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler fell apart on the final approach to Saturday's big fight when Britain's world super-middleweight champion said: 'I want to kill him.'


DAILY MIRROR:
Napoli want Rafa Benitez and Fernando Torres to form a dream team in Italy. ALSO: Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain are planning a ?100million deal to land Wayne Rooney.


THE SUN:
Gareth Bale was last night urged by Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos: Come and join us. ALSO: Bent jockey Eddie Ahern has been handed a 10-year ban for fixing races.


DAILY STAR:
Manuel Pellegrini has paved the way for his move to Manchester City by quitting Malaga. ALSO: Jose Mourinho will fly to London on June 2 - and sign a four-year contract with Chelsea worth ?250,000 a week.

 

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THE TIMES:
Manchester City have set a bold target of winning five trophies in the next five years. Also: If Sergio Garcia set out yesterday morning feeling that he had the glare of disapproval beating down on him after his widely publicised comment about Tiger Woods on Tuesday night, he was given considerable shade when another politically incorrect comment was let loose in a more public setting by a far more senior figure in the sport, George O'Grady, who is the chief executive of the European Tour.


DAILY TELEGRAPH:
A three-strong panel of former referees is set to sit in judgment of players insufficiently punished for reckless tackles in the Premier League next season, Telegraph Sport has learnt. Also: Stoke City have suffered further turmoil after it emerged midfielder Steven Nzonzi has submitted a written transfer request.


THE INDEPENDENT:
Manchester City's chief executive, Ferran Soriano, has declared that he expects at least five trophies in the next five years from the club's next manager, who will inherit a stronger squad than Manchester United's - and one which should "absolutely" have retained last season's Premier League. Also: Golf used to be about birdies, bogeys and pars. Now we are keeping score of toxic phrases. After Sergio Garcia's culinary racism, the game was once again dealing in statements and apologies following the use of insulting language.


THE GUARDIAN:
Golf's wish to move on from the racism storm that has engulfed Sergio Garcia and tainted the sport has been spectacularly undermined by the chief executive of the European Tour referring to black people as "coloured" in a live television interview. Also: Alastair Cook has admitted the shadow of Kevin Pietersen will hang heavy over England at Headingley for the second consecutive year, even in his absence.


DAILY EXPRESS:
Christian Benteke has put Arsenal on red alert by claiming he will leave Aston Villa if the Gunners come in for him. Also: Manuel Pellegrini has been set a daunting target of five trophies in five years by Manchester City.


DAILY MAIL:
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has revealed that he wants incoming manager Manuel Pellegrini to win five trophies in the next five years. Also: Golf's racism row took another ugly turn yesterday when the chief executive of the European Tour was forced to apologise for using inappropriate language on television.


DAILY MIRROR:
Roberto Mancini was sacked as Manchester City manager because his bosses insist he failed to win the title with a team better than neighbours United. Also: UEFA will order Premier League stars to give blood samples next season - in a bid to rid the game of drug cheats.


THE SUN
: Christian Benteke put a host of big clubs on alert last night when he warned Aston Villa: You can't make me stay. Also: Manuel Pellegrini faces a daunting five-year target as Manchester City boss.


DAILY STAR:
Manuel Pellegrini was last night told by Manchester City: We want five trophies in five years. Also: Christian Benteke has sparked a ?25m summer scramble by revealing he could leave Aston Villa.

 

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DAILY MAIL:
Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend withdrew from England's Under-21 squad last night after being charged by the FA with breaching betting regulations. Also: Andy Murray is back practising on grass and has begun his preparations for Wimbledon, even though the first ball has yet to be struck in anger in the French Open at Roland Garros.



DAILY EXPRESS:
Andros Townsend pulled out of Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad for the European Championship last night after being charged in relation to a series of betting irregularities. Also: David Gill is ''confident'' Wayne Rooney will still be at Manchester United next season as David Moyes began his Old Trafford revolution by axing two members of Sir Alex Ferguson's coaching staff.



DAILY STAR:
Tottenham winger Andros Townsend has pulled out of the England Under-21 squad after being charged with a series of betting offences by the FA. Also: Zinedine Zidane stepped up Real Madrid's pursuit of Gareth Bale yesterday.



DAILY TELEGRAPH:
A sense of humour, as well as intent, has arrived in London with more than 180,000 German football fans for tonight's Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Also: Tottenham winger Andros Townsend last night became the first Premier League player to be charged with breaching Football Association betting rules.



DAILY MIRROR:
David Moyes last night took the axe to Sir Alex Ferguson's backroom staff at Manchester United. Also: Carl Froch could pocket up to ?5million for tonight's unification showdown with Mikkel Kessler at London's O2 Arena.



THE SUN:
Jose Mourinho wants Luka Modric to join him at Chelsea. Also: Carl Froch goes into tonight's grudge world title fight with Mikkel Kessler - all thanks to Lennox Lewis... Frank Lampard is hoping Chelsea will now secure captain John Terry's future.



THE INDEPENDENT:
If you were seeking the distillation of the confidence playing for Bayern Munich breeds in its players, especially this recent gilded generation of Germans, then watching Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller face questions yesterday at Wembley was an emphatic reminder of how they regard themselves. Also: Andros Townsend has pulled out of the England squad for next month's European Under-21 Championship after being charged by the Football Association with allegedly breaking betting regulations.



THE GUARDIAN:
There was a moment, as Thomas Muller sat on the top table at Wembley and looked far too relaxed for a man about to play one of the biggest games of his life, when the expression on his face conveyed the bemusement you might expect if he had just been asked to announce his pin number in the middle of a press conference. Also: Michel Platini has hailed German football for having "the right system" ahead of the Champions League final featuring Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.



THE TIMES:
It is not exactly the celebration of English football that the FA had in mind for its 150th anniversary. It is not what the Spanish were hoping for either. But this evening's Champions League final at Wembley Stadium, the first all-German affair in the competition's history, will be a different kind of party as European football swings to an old beat, remastered for the 21st century. Also: David Gill, the outgoing Manchester United director who was elected to be a member of Uefa yesterday, is backing a bid by the FA to bring the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final to Wembley.

 

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THE SUN:
Arjen Robben hit a late winner to crown Bayern Munich kings of Europe at last. Also: Roberto Martinez is ready to tell Dave Whelan he wants to leave Wigan - paving the way for his move to Goodison Park... Jose Mourinho reckons he can turn Romelu Lukaku into the new Didier Drogba.




SUNDAY MIRROR:
David Moyes will make Marouane Fellaini his first signing at Manchester United. Also: Manuel Pellegrini will be handed over ?100million of talent to turn Manchester City back into winners... Jose Mourinho faces the threat of being banned as soon as he returns to Chelsea.




DAILY STAR:
David Moyes is planning to make Luka Modric his first signing for Manchester United. Also: Arjen Robben was Bayern Munich's Wembley king last night as he scored the winner against Borussia Dortmund...Manuel Pellegrini will pick up a ?1million bonus if he leads Manchester City to Champions League glory.




SUNDAY EXPRESS:
Manchester United are planning a shock ?25million move to bring Barcelona midfield star Cesc Fabregas back to the Premier League. Also: Joe Root became the first Yorkshireman to score his maiden Test century at Headingley yesterday... Northampton captain Dylan Hartley's British and Irish Lions hopes appear to lie in tatters after he was sent off for dissent during Saints' Aviva Premiership Final 37-17 defeat against Leicester.




MAIL ON SUNDAY:
Wayne Rooney is to have urgent summit talks with new Manchester United manager David Moyes as the club attempt to resolve the impasse over the England striker's future created by his fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson. Also: Dylan Hartley is in danger of being ruled out of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia after being sent off in yesterday's Aviva Premiership final for using foul and abusive language when appearing to call referee Wayne Barnes 'a ****ing cheat'... Footballer of the Year Gareth Bale will hold talks with Tottenham before the summer transfer window opens to discuss his future amid growing interest from Real Madrid in the ?60million Welshman.



THE INDEPENDENT:
Dylan Hartley, the Northampton and some-time England captain, is set to forfeit his coveted place on the British and Iriish Lions tour of Australia after being shown the first red card in an English Premiership final, which Leicester Tigers won 37-17. Also: Joe Root was the toast of Yorkshire after scoring his first Test century at his home ground, but his boyish features mean he struggles to buy anything stronger than lemonade at his local pub... It was, as Jonnie Peacock reflected, the strangest feeling to be sprinting towards a set of traffic lights, even if they were fixed permanently to green.



THE OBSERVER:
Arjen Robben's glory goal came 12 months after his lowest point when he missed the penalty that would have given Bayern Munich victory over Chelsea. Also: Dylan Hartley will be ruled out of the Lions tour to Australia unless he can persuade a disciplinary panel today that he aimed his words "f****** cheat" at his opposite number - and Lions colleague - Tom Youngs and not the referee Wayne Barnes, during Northampton's 37-17 Premiership defeat to Leicester... For a while Headingley was a deliriously contented place yesterday evening.



SUNDAY TIMES:
Bayern Munich avenged their heartbreaking defeat in last year's Champions League final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over their compatriots Borussia Dortmund at Wembley last night. Also: Dylan Hartley, the captain of Northampton, will almost certainly have to forfeit his place on the Lions tour to Australia after he was red-carded for verbally abusing the referee just before half-time in the Aviva Premiership final... Jose Mourinho has agreed a four-year contract to manage Chelsea for a second time.



SUNDAY TELEGRAPH:
Dylan Hartley's hopes of making the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia depend on the outcome of a hastily arranged Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing this morning, after being sent off for verbally abusing referee Wayne Barnes during Northampton's Aviva Premiership final defeat by Leicester yesterday. Also: Real Madrid are ready to test Tottenham Hotspur's insistence that Gareth Bale is not for sale at any price this summer by making a ?60million bid for the Wales international... Joe Root yesterday confirmed his growing reputation as the shining light of England's new generation with a maiden Test century on his home ground.

 

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Latest Paper Talk
Saturday August 15

Harry Kane has dealt a blow to Manchester United's hopes of signing the Tottenham striker. He says: "I'm happy happy at Tottenham which is a great club heading in the right direction. I want to become a club legend."
West Brom striker Saido Berahino is a target for Tottenham who are happy to splash out £15m after cashing in on Roberto Soldado who moved to Villarreal.


Manchester City flop Eliaquim Mangala could be on his way to Valencia with fellow defender Nicolas Otamendi moving the other way to the Etihad.
Arsene Wenger believes "hyperactive" Alexis Sanchez's appetite to train and play should be the norm for other footballers. He came on as a sub in Arsenal's opening day defeat by West Ham, despite having less than a week of proper training under his belt.
Everton fan groups will unite on Saturday asking owner Bill Kenwright and the board to leave the club. Supporters have raised funds for a plane to fly over St Mary's Stadium at the weekend ahead of their match at Southampton.
Meanwhile boss Roberto Martinez has assured fans the club will be adding new faces before the summer transfer window closes.
Tottenham are planning transfer swoop for Crystal Palace's Yannick Bolasie after finally selling Roberto Soldado.
Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris will not replace David De Gea at Manchester United according to manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says midfielder Lucas Leiva is likely to leave the club because he wants first-team football.


Arsenal have bid £45m for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and the French star is keen on a move to north London.


Questions remain over the future of Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro after she missed a key meeting with the club's medical staff called by Jose Mourinho on Thursday to discuss future strategy on injured players.
Slaven Bilic is hoping the emergence of 16-year-old Reece Oxford is just the tip of the iceberg because he wants to turn the West Ham academy back into the envy of the Premier League.


Manchester United are haggling with Barcelona over the £21.3m buyout clause in Pedro's contract. United are understood to have offered £17.7m plus £3.6m in add-ons in an attempt to sign the Spain star who wants more first-team football.
Mauricio Pochettino says Hugo Lloris is prepared to snub Manchester United, with Tottenham confident they will be able to deal with the knock-on effects of David de Gea's troubles at Old Trafford.
Spurs also insist Denmark international Christian Eriksen will be staying at White Hart Lane following interest from Serie A champions Juventus.
Fulham are lining up a £8m offer plus add-ons for Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle.


Ex-Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has had the last year of his contract with Roma terminated.


Claudio Ranieri's persistence looks to have paid off in a bid bring Napoli midfielder Gokhan Inler to Leicester.

 

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Latest Paper Talk
Wednesday October 28

Carlo Ancelotti would consider a sensational return to Chelsea if Jose Mourinho leaves the club - but only if they offered him a permanent contract.
Barcelona great Xavi has told Wayne Rooney to play deeper to prolong his Manchester United career.
Newcastle target Victor Valdes says he wants to remain in Premier League when he leaves Manchester United.
Swindon are ready to hand their manager's job to first-team coach Luke Williams.
West Brom defender Sebastien Pocognoli is ready to join Championship leaders Brighton on loan.
Former Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert believes part of the reason his ex-club may want Frenchman Remi Garde as their new manager is to get the best out of the French players at the West Midlands outfit.

Barcelona are ready to double Neymar's wages to derail Manchester United's chances of signing the Brazil star.
Jamie Vardy will not be allowed to quit Leicester City in the January transfer window unless Real Madrid make an offer too good to refuse.
Gus Poyet is set to become the new manager of Greek side AEK.
Everton, Swansea and Sunderland all want Bordeaux midfielder Wahbi Khazri.
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has joined the race for Sion's Swiss centre-half Leo Lacroix.
Matthew Etherington has warned of the dangers of after admitting he lost a month's wages in just a fortnight when he was playing in the Premier League.

Chelsea and Arsenal are on alert after Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti revealed he dreams of one day playing in the Premier League.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe believes Jurgen Klopp's arrival at Liverpool makes it even harder for British bosses to land a top job.

Isco wants to leave Real Madrid with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the 23-year-old Spain midfielder.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a long awaited return to Old Trafford - but only to take part in Wayne Rooney's testimonial in August next year.
Marco Verratti's agent has told Europe's elite clubs, including Manchester United, they can sign the Paris St-Germain star if they stump up £72m.
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola refused to answer questions on his future with the German champions after further speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League.
Former Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison has been told to forget about leaving Lazio.

Christian Benteke is a doubt for Liverpool's weekend trip to Chelsea after suffering a knee injury.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has stepped up his rehabilitation from injury ahead of his comeback next month.
Alexandre Pato could sign for West Ham with Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade understood to be looking to offload the 26-year-old forward.
Barcelona are planning to give Lionel Messi, 28, a new contract, which will see him finish his career at the Nou Camp.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said he is willing to offer Barcelona a place in Ligue 1 next season if the Champions League winners are kicked out of La Liga ahead of a potential referendum to decide whether Catalonia remains part of Spain.
Nigel Clough could follow in his father Brian's footsteps by becoming the next Nottingham Forest manager - if Dougie Freedman cannot turn his side's fortunes around.

Jose Mourinho's representatives are finding out about the Portuguese moving to Paris St-Germain or back to Inter Milan if the 52-year-old is sacked by Chelsea.
Tottenham have been criticised by environmentalists for taking an 'unnecessary' 20-minute flight to play Bournemouth at the weekend when a coach trip would have taken just over three hours.

 

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Latest Paper Talk
Monday March 7

Barcelona are stepping up their hunt for Leicester's Riyad Mahrez. Boss Luis Enrique is making the Algerian wideman, who bagged his 15th Premier League goal of the season on Saturday, his No.1 target.
Manchester City want to sign Everton's John Stones and Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte for a combined fee of £80m when Pep Guardiola joins the club in the summer.
Keith Downing, the England U20 boss, is in line to replace Sean O'Driscoll at Walsall.
Danny Rose could be out of Tottenham's title run-in for a month after picking up a calf injury.
Gaston Ramierez wants Middlesbrough to sign him permanently.
Shadow sports minister Clive Efford has weighed into the Adam Johnson row, insisting Sunderland should have sacked the shamed star earlier.


Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink appears resigned to being without defender John Terry for Wednesday's Champions League game with Paris Saint-Germain as he continues to struggle with a hamstring injury.
Tottenham star Dele Alli is on a special fitness programme to prevent burnout as he battles ankle and knee problems.
The FA Cup is Arsenal's best chance of securing silverware this season, says Hull defender Curtis Davies ahead of Tuesday's fifth-round replay between the sides.
Norwich are leading the race to sign Celtic contract rebel James Forrest.
Radamel Falcao is refusing to give up on his Chelsea career after returning to full training.
Brighton and Wales midfielder Andrew Crofts, 31, is a loan target for Sky Bet Championship rivals Bristol City and Brentford.


Leicester are hoping an £18million bid will see them pip Manchester United to the signing of CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa.
Steve McClaren appears resigned to losing his job at Newcastle and could go in the next 24 hours.


David Moyes is set for talks with Newcastle this week as they look set to sack beleaguered boss Steve McClaren.
Remi Garde looks certain to leave Aston Villa one way or another at the end of the season.


David Moyes, Rafa Benitez, Brendan Rodgers and Nigel Pearson all in the frame to become Newcastle manager if Steve McClaren is sacked.
The list of candidates to replace Steve McClaren at Newcastle includes David Moyes, Rafael Benitez, Brendan Rodgers and Nigel Pearson.


Antonio Conte wants to sign Edinson Cavani if he takes control at Chelsea this summer.
Greg Dyke wants to lift lid with a book on his time at the FA as he prepares to reveal all about the fall of Sepp Blatter's FIFA.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed Dele Alli is playing through the pain to aid Tottenham's Premier League challenge.


Ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and former Leicester manager Nigel Pearson are also in the frame to succeed McClaren at St James' Park.
England friendlies could be among the first fixtures to use video technology after the Football Association confirmed it wanted to be at the forefront of live trails approved by the game's rule-makers.


England will play even more matches away from Wembley if the FA finalises a deal for Chelsea and Tottenham to share the national stadium for a season.