What The Sports Pages Say

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Latest Paper Talk
Tuesday August 20

Arsenal will table an improved £13m bid for Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye after their initial £10m offer was rejected
Aly Cissokho will join Liverpool on a season-long loan deal today while Brendan Rodgers hopes to beat Spurs to Willian's signature
Paolo di Canio is set to make Greek winger Charis Mavrias his 11th summer signing and is also keen on Juventus full-back Paulo de Ceglie

Arsenal will have to pay at least £20m if they're to land Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye
Crystal Palace have had a bid for Aaron Cresswell rejected by Ipswich
Everton will step up their interest in Wigan midfielder James McCarthy while also pursuing an interest in Gareth Barry and Aleksandr Kolarov
Liverpool are keeping a close eye on FC Groningen's 16-year-old striker Richairo Zlvkovic
Stoke are readying a £5m bid for Rennes striker Mevlut Erdinc and the French side are willing to sell

Arsenal have been told that Yohan Cabaye is available but will cost in the region of £20m
Tottenham are monitoring Luis Neto and Adem Ljajic while hoping for a decision from Willian today
Manchester United are thought to be prepared to pay £35m for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini - but Everton value them at £45m

Newcastle will hold out for £20m for Yohan Cabaye after rejecting a bid of around half that amount from Arsenal
Willian is expected to decide whether to join Tottenham or Liverpool today

Micah Richards could be set for a move to Arsenal after the Gunners set their sights on the Manchester City defender
Valencia full-back Aly Cissokho is set to become Liverpool's fifth summer signing
Arsenal are set to bid for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba while Arsene Wenger is also pursuing Ashley Williams and Michu from Swansea

Swansea are bracing themselves for an audacious double bid from Arsenal for Ashley Williams and Michu

Manchester United are likely to make separate bids for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines are a combined £28m bid was labelled 'derisory and insulting' by Everton

Arsenal are prepared to go for broke in the transfer market with bids for Michu, Ashley Williams, Yohan Cabaye and Micah Richards

 

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The Times: Alastair Cook wants England to lay down another marker before the return series this winter as he seeks to become the first Ashes captain to beat Australia 4-0. Also: Arsene Wenger insisted last night that Arsenal had "nothing to explain" over their approach in the transfer market after they were accused by Newcastle United of showing disrespect in their pursuit of Yohan Cabaye.

The Independent: Arsene Wenger last night launched a passionate defence of Arsenal's record in the transfer market and moved to reassure supporters that the club has plenty of time to act before the window closes on September 2. Also: England can and should create history this week at the place where Test cricket started in this country.

Daily Mail: Tottenham began spending Gareth Bale's world record £85million transfer fee yesterday with stunning moves for Brazil winger Willian and Roma forward Erik Lamela. Also: Paris Saint-Germain are ready to outbid Arsenal for Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye and deal another transfer market blow to Arsene Wenger.

The Sun: Gareth Bale's world-record transfer to Real Madrid was all but sealed last night. Also: Arsene Wenger has hit back at moaning fans, storming: "I don't have to explain everything I do."

Daily Star: Angry Arsene Wenger hit back at critics of Arsenal's transfer policy last night, insisting: I stand by my record. Also: Roberto Martinez has told David Moyes he is wasting everybody's time by chasing Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines.

Daily Mirror: Arsene Wenger lost his cool last night with an angry message to Arsenal fans: I don't have to explain myself to anyone. Also: Tottenham are set to send their incredible spending spree crashing through the £100million barrier.

The Guardian: Andre Villas-Boas is poised to break the Tottenham Hotspur transfer record for the third time this summer with the £30million capture of Brazilian forward Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala. Also: Arsene Wenger suggested he did not care what Tottenham do in the transfer market or, indeed, any of Arsenal's rivals in the Premier League, as he mounted a strong defence of his policies and promised he would finish a testing summer with the "right balance" to the squad.

Daily Express: Tottenham last night shattered their club transfer record once again as they splashed out £60million on Willian and Erik Lamela - paving the way for Gareth Bale to confirm his £104m move to Real Madrid by the end of the week. Also: Arsene Wenger yesterday hit back at everybody questioning his move for Yohan Cabaye, adamant that 16 years of success meant he should not have to explain himself.

Daily Telegraph: Arsene Wenger last night launched an outspoken defence of his transfer strategy, claiming that he was unconcerned by the vast spending at Tottenham and promising that Arsenal would end this transfer window with a perfectly balanced squad. Also: The England team will take their win bonuses from the Ashes series beyond the £1million barrier if they win the final Investec Test at the Kia Oval.

 

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DAILY MAIL: Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was last night locked in negotiations to finalise Gareth Bale's world record £94million transfer to Real Madrid. Also: Jose Mourinho tore into Paul Lambert last night at Stamford bridge and accused Aston Villa's manager of whingeing, lacking managerial maturity and deploying long-ball tactics.

THE SUN: Arsene Wenger's worst nightmare came true last night as he was handed another £25million to spend. Also: Nasser Hussain fears that Stuart Broad could be attacked in Australia this winter.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Shane Watson could barely contain his glee at the prospect of again facing Simon Kerrigan, who was on Wednesday night being comforted by his team-mates after one of the most bruising debuts in recent Ashes history. Also: The World Anti-Doping Agency last night night warned Jamaica it risked expulsion from the next Olympics and other major competitions if it failed to address failings highlighted by former senior employee.

THE TIMES: England were rallying around Simon Kerrigan last night after the most chastening Ashes debut in recent memory left him the subject of laughter from Shane Watson. Also: For Arsene Wenger, the silence was golden. Three times it came over the course of a deeply satisfying evening and, with qualification for the Champions League group stage all but secured for a 16th consecutive season, the Arsenal manager must hope that the angry noise of the previous days is quietened a little.

THE INDEPENDENT: Arsenal dispelled the sense of crisis that had developed around them this week with an emphatic victory over Fenerbahce in the first leg of a potentially tricky Champions League play-off. Also: Jimmy Anderson told the Australia coach, Darren Lehmann, that he was wasting his time trying to unsettle strike partner Stuart Broad before the Ashes return this winter.

DAILY MIRROR: Arsene Wenger has turned his attention to Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema in his search for a top striker. Also: Muddled England missed the chance to take revenge for Aussie coach Darren Lehmann branding Stuart Broad a "blatant" cheat.

DAILY STAR: Branislav Ivanovic earned Chelsea three points last night minutes after he could have been sent off. Also: Shane Watson last night backed up claims that Stuart Broad is a cheat who should be taunted by Australian fans this winter.

THE GUARDIAN: Shane Watson was unable to hide Australia's glee at a rare selection gamble by England that backfired horribly on the first day of the fifth Ashes Test. Also: Arsene Wenger had hoped for a sanctuary amid the mayhem at this bear-pit of an arena, a dose of "real football" rather than wearying talk of crisis and the lack of summer signings. The Arsenal manager also expressed the belief that the world would see the quality of his existing players, as the team pushed to advance through the Champions League play-off and reach the group phase of the competition for the 16th consecutive season.

DAILY EXPRESS: Arsenal eased the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger with victory in the Champions League qualifier away at Fenerbahce last night. Also: Jimmy Anderson defended England's decision to gamble on two debutants at The Oval, insisting they will bounce back after a nightmare start to their Test careers.

 

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DAILY STAR: Manchester United are poised to launch a £30million bid for Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil. Also: Gareth Bale will snub Tottenham's clash with Swansea tomorrow as he prepares for his unveiling at Real Madrid next week... Jose Mourinho has taunted Tottenham after snatching Willian from their clutches.



DAILY MAIL: David Moyes yesterday raised the stakes in his battle with Everton for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini by hinting his old club should sell the pair for the good of their careers. Also: Australia's concerted effort to unsettle England with a war of words continued yesterday as both Shane Watson and Michael Clarke got stuck into Kevin Pietersen.

DAILY MIRROR: Wayne Rooney will be let loose against Chelsea - to show them just what they are missing out on. Also: Tottenham believe Chelsea gazumped them for £30million Willian because Jose Mourinho fears they are genuine title contenders... Roberto Martinez insists that Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines will not have their heads turned by Manchester United's destabilising tactics.

THE SUN: Real Madrid have set the stage for Gareth Bale's unveiling. Also: David Moyes insists he is ready to start Wayne Rooney against Chelsea on Monday night... Steve Clarke revealed the dramatic moment a grief-stricken Nicolas Anelka told him he was finished with football.

DAILY EXPRESS: Jack Wilshere may quit Arsenal if Arsene Wenger is forced out as manager. Also: Wayne Rooney will start for Manchester United against Chelsea despite Jose Mourinho's attempts to unsettle him before Monday's showdown at Old Trafford... Michael Laudrup believes Tottenham's spending spree will not replace superstar Gareth Bale.

THE INDEPENDENT: The Brazilian playmaker Willian was persuaded by Chelsea to break off his negotiations with Tottenham while he was undergoing a medical with Spurs, it emerged yesterday, when Jose Mourinho indicated that his club had won an ill-tempered battle for the player's signature. Also: David Moyes has responded to criticism of Manchester United's pursuit of Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini by suggesting that his successor as Everton manager, Roberto Martinez, would be wrong to stand in the way of the pair moving to Old Trafford.

THE TIMES: If the transfer of Gareth Bale is the most protracted of the summer, Chelsea's capture of Willian is the smash and grab of the decade. Also: Chelsea are monitoring Jackson Martinez as a possible alternative to Wayne Rooney of Manchester United. The striker scored 26 times in 27 appearances last season for Porto.

THE GUARDIAN: Jose Mourinho made little attempt to hide his delight at hijacking Tottenham's move for Willian as the north London club raged behind the scenes about Chelsea's £32million capture of the Anzhi Makhachkala forward representing a vendetta against them. Also: David Moyes has claimed Everton's manager, Roberto Martinez, is holding back the careers of Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines by not allowing them to be sold to Manchester United... Brendan Rodgers remains determined to sign a left winger before the transfer deadline to allow Philippe Coutinho to develop as a number 10 at Liverpool.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Australia's frustration at England's attempt to kill the fifth Investec Ashes Test flared up into a verbal spat between Michael Clarke and Kevin Pietersen yesterday. Also: David Moyes has returned fire at Everton manager Roberto Martinez by telling his Goodison Park successor to "do what is right" for Manchester United targets Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini... Jose Mourinho has taunted Tottenham over their failed pursuit of Willian after helping Chelsea woo the Brazilian out of the arms of Andre Villas-Boas.

 

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Samuel Eto'o as part of the negotiations to acquire Willian for £30million from Anzhi Makhachkala which will end their attempts to buy Wayne Rooney this summer. Also: Worcester Warriors captain Jonathan Thomas said he felt "lucky to be alive" after the team bus erupted into flames en route to a pre-season fixture against Ospreys in Swansea.

THE OBSERVER: Cristiano Ronaldo has informed Manchester United he would like to return to the club one day, probably to end his career, after a summer in which the Premier League champions have explored the possibilities behind the scenes of bringing him back from Real Madrid. Also: Paolo Di Canio did not get much sleep before Sunderland's 1-1 draw at Southampton after police were called to his team's hotel to investigate an incident in the early hours of the morning.

THE MAIL ON SUNDAY: Gareth Bale flew to Spain yesterday to prepare to sign for Real Madrid - but Tottenham and the Spanish giants are still thrashing out terms of the proposed world-record move. Also: Wayne Rooney will be allowed to leave Manchester United in this transfer window if he moves abroad.

THE SUN ON SUNDAY: Spurs were last night holding out for a world-record £86.3million from Real Madrid for Gareth Bale. Also: Arsene Wenger is set to make a shock swoop for £10million-rated Newcastle keeper Tim Krul.

SUNDAY PEOPLE: Yohan Cabaye has gone on strike at Newcastle after refusing to play in Toon's opening matches of the season. Also: Daniel Sturridge proved he can be Liverpool's talisman in the absence of Luis Suarez with yet another match-winning display.

SUNDAY EXPRESS: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has pleaded with Manchester United boss David Moyes to sell unsettled striker Wayne Rooney to him. Also: Daniel Sturridge proved Liverpool's match-winner for a second successive weekend as they edged out Villa to make their best start to a Premier League season for five years.

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY: It was solid rather than spectacular, but Brendan Rodgers will not care about that after his Liverpool side made it two wins out of two at the start of a Premier League season for the first time in five years, thanks to Daniel Sturridge's solitary strike at Villa Park. Also: Gareth Bale has flown to the Spanish resort of Marbella ahead of his transfer to Real Madrid as the world-record fee for the deal was described as "disrespectful" by Barcelona's new coach Gerardo Martino.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY: Jose Mourinho last night urged David Moyes to sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea, insisting: "Why keep an unhappy player?" Also: Angry Everton boss Roberto Martinez last night blasted David Moyes for trying to unsettle his star pair of Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini.

SUNDAY MIRROR: Chelsea will make a £40million last-ditch bid for Wayne Rooney. Also: Gareth Bale has agreed a stunning £97million contract to join Real Madrid.

SUNDAY TIMES: Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, has accused Manchester United of an "old-fashioned mentality" in their stubborn refusal to sell Wayne Rooney, who has made it clear he would like to move to Stamford Bridge. Also: If form is temporary, it is also relative. Two wins from two at the start of a league campaign is hardly definitive evidence of Liverpool's re-emergence, but in the context of their recent history it could almost warrant the club shop producing a DVD.

 

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THE SUN: Jose Mourinho has blamed David Moyes for causing Wayne Rooney's Manchester United transfer hell. Also: Bargain buy Fraizer Campbell stunned the billionaires of Manchester City as Cardiff stormed to their first Premier League win.

DAILY MAIL: Gareth Bale is free to join Real Madrid today after Tottenham agreed a world record £86million deal with the Spanish giants last night. Also: Jose Mourinho last night told David Moyes: I didn't unsettle Wayne Rooney, you did.

DAILY MIRROR: England cricket chiefs will go to war over rules on bad light that belong in the dark ages. Also: Cardiff boss Malky Mackay backed match-winner Fraizer Campbell for England after his team stunned Manchester City.

DAILY EXPRESS: Fraizer Campbell has been backed for England honours after his second-half brace stunned Manchester City. Also: Jose Mourinho says David Moyes is to blame for Wayne Rooney's misery at Old Trafford.

DAILY STAR: Jose Mourinho insists David Moyes is to blame for putting Wayne Rooney at the centre of a bitter transfer tug-of-war. Also: New boys Cardiff were celebrating one of the great days of their history last night after stunning Manchester City.

THE TIMES: The most senior figure in English cricket called last night for a change in rules on bad light after England's Ashes triumph ended with boos ringing around the Kia Oval. Also: Manuel Pellegrini attempted to shift the emphasis away from Joe Hart but there was no escaping that it was the Manchester City goalkeeper's late mistake that tipped the game in favour of Cardiff City yesterday.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Cardiff City celebrated their return to the top flight of British football with a victory that left manager Malky Mackay singing the praises of a club who had weathered some tough times - and backing his striker Fraizer Campbell to add to his one England cap. Also: Tottenham Hotspur have finally agreed the world-record 100million euro transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.

THE GUARDIAN: Manuel Pellegrini blamed his team's defending for the two second-half Cardiff City goals from corners that consigned Manchester City to a shock 3-2 defeat in south Wales. Also: Alastair Cook lifted the Ashes urn late last night after one of the great sporting anticlimaxes on a remarkable day, as bad light stopped play - with the floodlights shining - when England were within 21 runs of a historic 4-0 series win.

THE INDEPENDENT: England's victorious Ashes campaign ended in farce and fury last night as the umpires took the players off for bad light with only 21 runs needed for victory from four overs. Also: As home introductions go this was dreamland for Cardiff City as Malky Mackay's newly-promoted outfit pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Premier League history against Manchester City.

 

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THE SUN: Manchester United have been told to pay a mammoth £125million if they want to sign Gareth Bale. Also: Wayne Rooney delivered a man-of-the-match display to show he is committed to the Manchester United cause.

DAILY MAIL: Jose Mourinho has given Wayne Rooney 48 hours to make a public declaration that he wanted to quit Manchester United for Chelsea. Also: England will step up security for the return Ashes series this winter because they fear that Darren Lehmann's inflammatory call for the Australian public to 'make Stuart Broad cry' could lead to attacks on their players.

DAILY MIRROR: Wayne Rooney returned to the Manchester United starting line-up last night - and proved just why David Moyes does not want to let him go. Also: Gareth Bale has been ordered back to training this morning after the world's most expensive transfer descended into chaos.

DAILY EXPRESS: Wayne Rooney showed last night why David Moyes will not let him move and Jose Mourinho covets him. Also: A mystery second bidder has emerged in the Gareth Bale transfer saga as Tottenham continued to take a stand - over a stand.

DAILY STAR: David Moyes sent a final 'Forget it' message to Jose Mourinho last night. Also: Rickie Lambert's Roy of the Rovers story is set to continue today when he is named in the England squad for two crunch World Cup qualifiers.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: This was Mission Accomplished for Jose Mourinho and Chelsea, who left Old Trafford with the Premier League point they coveted but how they would have loved to have returned home with the outstanding Wayne Rooney. Also: Officials from the England and Wales Cricket Board were yesterday in talks with Surrey attempting to smooth over any offence caused by England players urinating on the Oval Test pitch.

THE TIMES: Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, suggested he would withdraw his interest in signing Wayne Rooney if he decided he wished to remain at Old Trafford because of the "special support" the forward received from his present club's fans during the goalless draw last night. Also: Tottenham Hotspur have ordered Gareth Bale to report for training today, thwarting Real Madrid's plan to introduce the forward to their supporters as their new signing.

THE GUARDIAN: Maybe the game arrived too early in the season to be a classic. Jose Mourinho's return to Old Trafford certainly never conjured up the drama that had been anticipated. Also: Gareth Bale was due to fly back to the UK yesterday as he awaits the completion of his move to Real Madrid.

THE INDEPENDENT: If this was to be the first instalment in a long fight for the prizes of English football, then David Moyes v Jose Mourinho Part I will not trouble the historians of our 21st century game for too long. They came, they saw, they barely had a chance worthy of the name. Also: Dan Evans, who has so often flattered to deceive in the past, produced the performance of his life here last night to knock out Kei Nishikori, the world number 12, on the opening day of the US Open.

 

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DAILY TELEGRAPH: Wayne Rooney will remain a Manchester United player this season after deciding yesterday not to submit a transfer request. Also: Gareth Bale's dream move to Real Madrid was being delayed last night by a transfer chain, with Fiorentina's Adem Ljajic emerging as the unlikely key to the world-record £90million deal.

GUARDIAN: Gareth Bale failed to report for training at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday morning, giving the clearest indication yet that he feels his time at the club is over. Also: Roy Hodgson has admitted to becoming increasingly concerned about England's position in their World Cup qualifying programme as he prepares to go into the next round of fixtures with Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend added to the squad and with some concerns about the goalkeeper Joe Hart's confidence.

THE TIMES: Gareth Bale is not expected to train with Tottenham Hotspur again after failing to report yesterday as he tries to push through his world-record transfer to Real Madrid. Also: Roy Hodgson gave Joe Hart a ringing endorsement yesterday, saying that he expects the Manchester City goalkeeper to emerge from England's World Cup qualifying campaign 'with flying colours' despite making recent errors for both club and country.

THE INDEPENDENT: Wayne Rooney has accepted that he will not leave Manchester United this summer and will not push the issue any further this week with a transfer request, although it is understood that the player believes there remain unresolved issues between him and the club. Also: Roy Hodgson yesterday denied that selecting Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley for the England squad next week was an indication of how few experienced England internationals in the Premier League there are at his disposal, claiming that both players had a chance of making the starting XI.

DAILY EXPRESS: Wayne Rooney has snubbed Jose Mourinho and decided to resolve his differences with Manchester United. Also: Gareth Bale's world-record move to Real Madrid turned nasty yesterday when the Tottenham player failed to report for work as instructed by Andre Villas-Boas on Sunday.

DAILY MAIL: Manchester United will invite Wayne Rooney for contract talks this autumn if he continues to show the commitment to the club that has characterised his return to Barclays Premier League action over the past 10 days. Also: Roy Hodgson has handed World Cup wildcards to Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend.

THE SUN: Gareth Bale has told pals his Tottenham career is over - and that is why he failed to show up for training yesterday. Also: Brendan Rodgers brought out the big guns to avoid a cup shock - and saw his Kop stars edge it in extra time.

DAILY MIRROR: Livid Gareth Bale has told Spurs chairman Daniel Levy he won't let him sabotage his world-record move to Madrid. Also: Wayne Rooney has been forced into a humiliating climbdown in his bid to leave Manchester United.

DAILY STAR: Wayne Rooney has snubbed Chelsea after refusing to hand in a transfer request. Also: Aaron Ramsey scored a goal in each half last night to ease Arsenal into the group stages of the Champions League with a 5-0 aggregate win over Fenerbahce.

 

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THE SUN: Arsenal were yesterday hit with a triple Champions League whammy. Also: Jermain Defoe hit a double as Spurs cruised past Dinamo Tbilisi to make it into today's Europa League draw.

DAILY STAR: Arsenal have been rocked by being drawn in a Champions League horror group and learning Lukas Podolski faces 10 weeks out injured. Also: Jermain Defoe grabbed a double as Tottenham toppled Dinamo Tbilisi 3-0 at White Hart Lane for a monster 8-0 aggregate win...Manchester United last night failed with a third attempt to sign Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini as Everton rejected a £36m joint bid...Stephane Sessegnon has been axed by Paolo Di Canio after being charged with drink-driving...Gambling controversy PFA chief Gordon Taylor sanctioned a grant to help an ex-player write a book about his betting nightmare.

DAILY MIRROR: Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is up for sale following the arrival of Samuel Eto'o. Also: Arsene Wenger yesterday re-signed Mathieu Flamini - and Arsenal fans fear he may end up not spending a penny this summer...Manchester City believe they can finally end their Champions League hoodoo after being handed a favourable draw in the group stages.

DAILY EXPRESS: Arsenal were handed the 'Group of Death' in the Champions League draw here yesterday - on the day that Mathieu Flamini became only the second arrival at the Emirates this summer. Also: Jose Mourinho has issued a "hands off" warning and insisted Juan Mata is not for sale...Everton have rejected an improved offer of £36 million for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines as they continue to rebuff Manchester United's advances.

DAILY MAIL: Arsenal want to blow their entire £70million transfer budget on Real Madrid trio Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria as they bid to rescue a botched transfer window. Also: Cliff Morgan has been described as a rugby union 'superstar' and sports broadcasting 'pioneer' following his death at the age of 83...Marouane Fellaini has told Roberto Martinez that he wants to leave Everton.

THE GUARDIAN: Manchester United last night had an increased bid of £36m rejected for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines as David Moyes continues to pursue his former players at Everton. Also: Arsenal have been handed a daunting task to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase after the draw placed them in Group F with last season's runners-up, Borussia Dortmund, Rafael Benitez's Napoli and Marseille.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: More storm clouds blew into Arsenal's season yesterday when they were given a nightmare of a draw in the Champions League and also heard the dispiriting medical bulletin that their in-form attacker Lukas Podolski was out for up to 10 weeks. Also: A more peaceful, positive atmosphere pervades Manchester City this season, according to the club's sporting director, Txiki Begiristain.

THE TIMES: Arsene Wenger faced up last night to the need for reinforcements before Monday's transfer deadline as Arsenal were handed a daunting draw in the Champions League group stage. Also: There is nothing like an unfavourable comparison with Pep Guardiola to wipe the smile from Jose Mourinho's face.

THE INDEPENDENT: Everton have rejected a second joint bid from Manchester United for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, the fourth in total for the full-back, valued at a total of around £38m with the transfer stand-off now set to go into the last weekend of the window. Also: Arsenal were put under further pressure to spend in the transfer market last night when they were drawn in the hardest group in the Champions League.

 

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Latest Paper Talk
Saturday August 31

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made a desperate last-ditch move to sign German wonder-kid Julian Draxler from Schalke who is rated at £60m.
Chairman Daniel Levy has claimed a transfer-market triumph for Spurs by leaving Arsenal with a race against time to sign Real Madrid's cast-offs.
Manchester United are ready to pay £30m for land Spanish playmaker Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao after failing with a £25m offer.
Liverpool have landed defender Tiago Ilori, 20, from Sporting Lisbon for £8m, after beating off interest from Monaco and Valencia.
Chelsea are ready to loan striker Demba Ba back to Newcastle - but want a fee of £3m for one season.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is considering a late move for Gil Vicente midfielder Diogo Viana, 23, but are not willing to meet the £2.1m asking price.
West Brom are set to snap up Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, 26, on loan and hope to sell striker Peter Odemwingie to Swansea.
Crystal Palace have offered around £2m for Huddersfield Town right-back Jack Hunt.
Middlesbrough hope to sign Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland and Norwich City defender Daniel Ayala.

Manchester United boss David Moyes is aiming to do £77m of transfer business this weekend with Athletic Bilbao playmaker Ander Herrera, Roma's Daniele De Rossi plus Everton pair Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini in his sights.
Manchester City have been given the green light by Atletico Madrid to sign 32-year-old defender Martin Demichelis for £3.5m.
West Brom want to sign Chelsea winger Victor Moses, 22, on loan but face competition from Southampton.
Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio will make Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng his 12th signing of the summer.
Former England left-back Nicky Shorey, 32, will sign for League One side Bristol City on a short-term deal.

Manchester United suffered further embarrassment as they failed in bids for two more players - Athletic Bilbao playmaker Ander Herrera and Roma's Daniele De Rossi.
Liverpool are set to win the £5m battle to borrow Chelsea winger Victor Moses, 22, on a season-long loan deal.

Real Madrid insist they have persuaded Tottenham to sell Gareth Bale for £78m - £2m less than the world record fee they paid for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Arsene Wenger has upped the ante before tomorrow's north London derby by claiming Spurs risk wrecking the balance of their squad by signing so many players and suggesting they will struggle to cope without Bale.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are keen on signing former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, 28, from French club Lille.
Manchester United will make an improved bid for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, 24, after a £21m offer was rejected by the Spanish club.
Liverpool are closing on a £25m double deal for PSG defender Mamadou Sakho and Sporting Libon's Tiago Ilori but face strong competition in their bid to sign Chelsea winger Victor Moses on loan.
German side Schalke 04 have made a £5m bid for Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor and are confident they can meet his wage demands.
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry, 32, is ready to take a pay cut to ensure a season-long loan move to Everton goes through.
West Ham are considering a loan move for former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo, 24, from Lokomotiv Moscow.
Real Madrid midfielder Kaka, 31, wants to leave Spain and has been offered to Premier League clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal.
Fulham are in talks to sign Colombia striker Jhon Cordoba, 20, on an initial loan deal from Mexican side Chiapas.
Crystal Palace midfielder Own Garvan, 25, is set to join former boss Dougie Freedman at Bolton.
David Moyes has told striker Wayne Rooney, 27, to stay at Manchester United and emulate club legend Sir Bobby Charlton.

Manchester United are set to trigger a £31m release clause for Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera.
Liverpool are lining up deals for Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori, 20, and 23-year-old Paris St-Germain centre-back Mamadou Sakho and also want to sign Chelsea winger Victor Moses, 22, on loan and make Aston Villa keeper Shay Given, 37, the club's No 2.

Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, has escalated his complaint about those clubs who appear to be ignoring Uefa's new financial fair-play regulations, describing them as "economic sharks".
Manchester United are expected to trigger a £30.7million release clause in Ander Herrera's Athletic Bilbao's contract.
Liverpool attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho believes England striker and Anfield team-mate Daniel Sturridge would be good enough to play for Brazil.

Manchester United have had a second major transfer bid turned down in the space of two days - this time for the Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera.

Andre Villas-Boas has taken Tottenham's summer spend to an incredible £110.5m, after the midfielder Christian Eriksen completed an £11m move from Ajax last night having passed a medical.
David Moyes wants to add three midfielders to Manchester United before the close of the transfer window on Monday and has had bids of £25.6m for Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera and £12m for Roma's Daniele De Rossi turned down.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Sir Alex Ferguson's absence has made Manchester United a more cautious team.

 

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SUNDAY MIRROR:
Wayne Rooney had 10 stitches in a horror head injury yesterday that will sideline him for both Manchester United and England this week. Also: Paolo Di Canio held up his hands and apologised to Sunderland fans yesterday.


DAILY STAR SUNDAY
: Manchester United are trying to clinch a loan deal for Roma's Daniele De Rossi before the transfer window closes tomorrow night. Also: Arsenal will make a renewed £15million move for Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye.


SUNDAY EXPRESS
: Real Madrid's final bill to buy Gareth Bale could top an incredible £150million. Also: Wayne Rooney is desperate to overcome a nasty head injury suffered in training which has made him a doubt for today's Anfield confrontation between Liverpool and Manchester United.


MAIL ON SUNDAY:
Manchester City's wild celebration to greet the opening goal from Alvaro Negredo told its own story. Also: Wayne Rooney has been KO'd from Manchester United's biggest match of the season against Liverpool - by his own captain, Nemanja Vidic.


THE SUNDAY TIMES:
There will be a time to measure the significance of the goal Hatem Ben Arfa scored yesterday to bring relief to the Premier League's most perplexing club. It is not now. Also: Roy Hodgson has bemoaned the Premier League's record when it comes to producing English talent and taken issue with suggestions - including those from the competition's chief executive, Richard Scudamore - that it provides him an abundance of players to select.


THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH:
Real Madrid hope to finally present Gareth Bale as their world record £90million signing tomorrow with summer spending by English clubs on course to break through the £500million barrier in the final two days of the transfer window. Also: England levelled the two-match T20 series by defeating Australia by 27 runs - almost as handsome as the 39-run margin that Australia had enjoyed at the Ageas Bowl.



INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY:
What the Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway described as "a really important week for us" began with another dogged performance and, more importantly, a first victory when Dwight Gayle scored from the penalty spot after being fouled by John O'Shea, who was sent off, and the substitute Stuart O'Keefe curled a superb third goal. Also: Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United will lead one final splurge in the two days of the transfer window that will take summer spending by Premier League clubs beyond the previous record of £500million.



THE OBSERVER:
A wonderful injury-time strike from distance by the substitute Stuart O'Keefe secured Crystal Palace's first three points of the season against Sunderland. Also: The stage remained set at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday afternoon but will need dismantling without Gareth Bale having set foot on it.


THE PEOPLE:
Wayne Rooney is out of today's Anfield clash with Liverpool after a horror training ground accident. Also: Manchester United were last night edging towards a £36million deal for Marouane Fellaini after Everton asked for Jesse Lingard on loan for the season.

 

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THE INDEPENDENT: The England manager, Roy Hodgson, received a contrite apology from Liverpool last night after he was denied access to his former club's boardroom lounge, on the day he suffered the desperate blow of losing Wayne Rooney for the national side's two upcoming, make-or-break World Cup qualifiers. Also: Gareth Bale completed his move to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur last night, for a fee Spurs - but not Real Madrid - insisted broke Cristiano Ronaldo's world record.

THE GUARDIAN: Andre Villas-Boas has insisted that Tottenham Hotspur have "moved on" from Gareth Bale, who has finally completed his world-record 100million euro (£85.2million) transfer to Real Madrid. Also: Roy Hodgson suffered a miserable afternoon at Anfield when he came close to storming out after a perceived snub by his former club Liverpool and saw his injury problems mount before England's crucial World Cup qualifiers, with Wayne Rooney, Phil Jones and Glen Johnson ruled out.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Gareth Bale became the most expensive player in football history last night and immediately described his 100million euro (£86million) move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid as "a dream come true". Also: Arsene Wenger is preparing a dramatic £80million spending spree in the final hours of the transfer window, with Arsenal today ready to launch bids for Real Madrid midfielders Mesut Ozil and Angel di Maria as well as Palermo striker Abel Hernandez.

THE TIMES: Gareth Bale will finally seal his dream move to Real Madrid today after the Spanish club agreed a world-record 100million euro (£85.2million) fee with Tottenham Hotspur last night, ending the summer's longest-running transfer saga. Also: The towering arrogance of youth electrified the nation's most venerable race circuit as Silverstone was offered a glimpse of the future that could include a British world champion on two wheels for the first time in 36 years.

DAILY EXPRESS: Roy Hodgson was left in a rage by a perceived snub from Liverpool - and his mood darkened as injuries to key personnel piled up ahead of England's pivotal World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine. Also: Gareth Bale finally completed his world-record £86million move to Real Madrid last night - with a broadside from Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy ringing in his ears.

DAILY MAIL: Roy Hodgson faces a major England injury crisis which threatens to derail his World Cup qualifying plans. Also: Daniel Sturridge was Liverpool's special one again yesterday as he headed the winner against Manchester United to fire his side to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

DAILY MIRROR: Gareth Bale last night described his world-record £86million move to Real Madrid as a dream come true. Also: Arsene Wenger has set his sights on a last-minute move for Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil - even after hailing Arsenal's derby victory.

DAILY STAR: England boss Roy Hodgson was last night facing up to a full-blown World Cup injury crisis. Also: Gareth Bale's transfer saga ended last night when he finally gained his "dream" move to Spain.

THE SUN: Gareth Bale finally signed for Real Madrid last night and declared: My dream has come true. Also: Angry Roy Hodgson stormed away from Anfield yesterday after an amazing snub.

 

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Daily Star:
David Moyes is facing a battle to win over Manchester United star Robin van Persie. Also: Danny Welbeck looks set to lead the England attack.


Daily Mail:
David Moyes will bid again for Ander Herrera and Leighton Baines in January to try to restore Manchester United's crumbling reputation as a major player in the transfer market. Also: England team-mate Theo Walcott has admitted he was shocked when he saw the extent of Wayne Rooney's head injury.


Daily Mirror:
Theo Walcott revealed the England squad were shocked to see the extent of Wayne Rooney's "horror film" injury. Also: Manchester United told Ander Herrera they will sign him in January after losing their nerve when the £30.4million transfer hit complications.


The Sun:
Marouane Fellaini took a £4million hit in Manchester United wages to rescue his dream move. Also: Theo Walcott has spoken of his horror at seeing Wayne Rooney's badly gashed head.



Daily Express:
Marouane Fellaini agreed to sacrifice £4 million to ensure his move from Everton to Manchester United went through. Also: Gareth Bale will not be risked by Wales in either of their World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia or Serbia.


The Times:
Greg Dyke, the new FA chairman, will demand today that English football makes a fundamental change of approach to revive the flagging fortunes of the national team. Also: Newcastle United supporters have reacted angrily to attempts by the club and Alan Pardew to justify the lack of activity in the summer transfer window.


The Independent:
Manchester United believe their disappointing summer - which would have left them without a single new signing if Marouane Fellaini had not sacrificed £4m to seal a move from Everton - was the product of extreme circumstances in which David Moyes had only eight weeks to undertake his entire strategy in an unfamiliar market. Also: The uneasy truce came at 3pm yesterday, 16 hours after the transfer window had shut.



The Guardian:
Mesut Ozil felt compelled to leave Real Madrid on deadline day after the Spanish club's hierarchy made clear they had lost faith in his abilities, prompting his eye-catching £42.5m transfer to Arsenal. Also: In a bid to put a bitter summer of transfer humiliation behind them, David Moyes will sit down with under-fire Manchester United vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, in the coming days to draw up a list of targets for January.



Daily Telegraph:
Marouane Fellaini spared David Moyes the embarrassment of ending the transfer window without a new signing at Manchester United by sacrificing £4million in bonuses to seal his £27.5million move from Everton. Also: Gareth Barry has revealed how he was informed he had no future at Manchester City before Manuel Pellegrini's appointment at the Etihad Stadium.

 

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THE SUN: England have been challenged to win the 2022 World Cup by new chief Greg Dyke. Also: Gareth Bale has been warned he is not an automatic choice at Real Madrid... Cesc Fabregas would not have joined Manchester United even if they had trebled his Barcelona salary.

DAILY MIRROR: New FA chairman Greg Dyke last night issued a stark warning that England faces becoming a minor footballing nation unless there is radical change. Also: Germany coach Joachim Loew led a chorus of astonishment last night over Real Madrid's decision to sell Mesut Ozil to Arsenal... Ander Herrera claims Manchester United must answer questions over his bungled £30.5million transfer to Old Trafford.

DAILY STAR: FA chairman Greg Dyke claims the cash-soaked Premier League is killing English football. Also: Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at Real Madrid for selling Mesut Ozil to Arsenal... Ander Herrera reckons Manchester United blew their chance to sign him.

DAILY EXPRESS: FA chief Greg Dyke last night spelled out the bleak reality behind his claim England could win the World Cup by 2022. Also: Rio Ferdinand has hit back at claims Manchester United have messed up their transfer window and insists the Premier League champions can win every trophy this season... Germany coach Joachim Low has criticised Real Madrid for selling Mesut Ozil to Arsenal, although he feels the midfielder will benefit from the move.

DAILY MAIL: FA chairman Greg Dyke claims he can save English football from oblivion after setting the national team an incredible target to rule the world in 2022. Also: Wayne Rooney yesterday released a close-up picture of his ugly head wound after taking exception to criticism of his withdrawal from England's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine... Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's son has signed for Premier League rivals Fulham.

THE TIMES: Greg Dyke, the chairman of the Football Association, has set England the target of winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, but warned that the team face long-term decline unless action is taken to combat the growing overseas influence in the Barclays Premier League. Also: Wayne Rooney took the unusual step yesterday of defending his withdrawal from England's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine by putting a photograph of his head injury online... Manchester United have cause for regrets at the end of a trying transfer window, but they insist that turning down the chance to sign Mesut Ozil is not one of them, despite his arrival at Arsenal in the most eye-catching capture of the summer.

THE INDEPENDENT: Faced with the possibility of England being "unable to compete seriously on the world stage" because of a shortage of players appearing at leading clubs, the Football Association yesterday reverted to the default mode of English sport and set up a commission. Also: Wayne Rooney took to Facebook to answer those who questioned why a cut on the head should rule him out of England's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, by publishing a picture of the injury... Real Madrid's decision to sell Mesut Ozil to Arsenal has been labelled "incomprehensible" by the German player's national coach, Joachim Low.

THE GUARDIAN: Greg Dyke has warned England will "fail to compete seriously on the world stage" altogether if an "alarming" lack of homegrown talent is not urgently addressed, and the new Football Association chairman has set the target of winning the 2022 World Cup to focus minds. Also: Wayne Rooney revealed the full extent of the head wound that has ruled him out of England's World Cup qualifiers by posting an image of the gash on Facebook... Everton want to secure Leighton Baines on a new long-term contract before the transfer window reopens in January, as they attempt to ward off interest from Manchester United.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Alan Hansen will end his 22-year association with Match of the Day next summer after revealing his intention to retire as the BBC's leading pundit following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Also: Greg Dyke, the Football Association chairman, has set England the target of winning the World Cup in 2022 and has formed an FA Commission to find ways of producing players to steer the national game out of its trough and make his dream a reality... Wayne Rooney released a graphic image of a 'horror film' scar on his forehead in an attempt to rebuff claims his injury is not serious enough to force him out of England's crucial World Cup qualifiers.

 

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THE INDEPENDENT: It is entirely in keeping with Roy Hodgson's rotten luck of late that tonight something should sour a straightforward, solid win over Moldova, and so it came to pass when Danny Welbeck earned a booking that means he is suspended for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. ALSO: This morning the Buenos Aires Hilton will host an eclectic global cast. There will be princes, prime ministers, plenty of promises, awkward sports stars stuttering over speeches and almost certainly a fair number of immaculately attired children out to tug any heartstrings available. At stake is the greatest sporting prize a city can earn: the right to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

THE TIMES: It was always taken for granted that England would win last night against Moldova, a team who only seem to make up the numbers in international football. They did so with ease, playing some nice football at times, but now come the real tests of nerve, quality and application in this World Cup qualifying campaign, starting against Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday. ALSO: In this type of wet and windy weather which ultimately tested even Jonny Wilkinson's renowned loyalty to breaking point, Newcastle Falcons marked their return to the Aviva Premiership with defeat.

DAILY EXPRESS: Two goals by Danny Welbeck helped England back to the top of their World Cup group but a ludicrous booking rules him out of Tuesday's crunch clash in Ukraine. ALSO: The Greg Dyke Show was interrupted by some football here last night and England seized the chance of some easy work and a timely boost to their wayward confidence.

DAILY MAIL: Roy Hodgson blew his top last night as he lost yet another striker from the squad that will fight for England's World Cup future in Ukraine on Tuesday night. ALSO: The referee blew and Danny Welbeck shot. Maybe. Perhaps Welbeck shot and the referee blew. There really wasn't that much in it. Certainly not so much that it could justify what happened next.

THE SUN: England mauled Moldova to boost their World Cup hopes - but boss Roy Hodgson was still fuming. ALSO: Gareth Bale was confronted by two pitch-invading yobs in Macedonia last night.

THE MIRROR: Danny Welbeck scored twice to fire England top of Group H - but his big night was ruined by a crazy booking. ALSO: Gareth Bale was an £86million cheerleader last night as he was left on the bench by Chris Coleman as Wales slumped 2-1 against Macedonia.

THE GUARDIAN: It ended up being a bittersweet night for England, full of goals to send the crowd home happy, buoyed by the news that Montenegro and Poland had drawn elsewhere in Group H, but also a measure of regret about the fact Danny Welbeck has been added to the list of absentees for the assignment against Ukraine and that Roy Hodgson is probably now down to two strikers, both of whom would ordinarily be bench-warmers. ALSO: It is the hope that killed the Republic of Ireland. For 30 minutes, Giovanni Trapattoni's team played with a verve and purpose in a World Cup qualifier that they sorely wanted to win but could not afford to lose.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: England rose to top of World Cup qualifying Group H but this victory came at a cost. Danny Welbeck collected two goals but also a yellow card which rules him out of England's crucial game with Ukraine on Tuesday. ALSO: There was no disgrace for Scotland, who were never wholly subjugated in this defeat by a plainly superior Belgian side, but it was also apparent that the shoots of recovery witnessed in recent performances against Croatia and England will have to be carefully nourished if Scotland are to take significant comfort from a World Cup campaign that was strangled almost at birth.

DAILY STAR: Two-goal Danny Welbeck suffered an agonising night despite being England's Wembley hero. ALSO: Manchester United coach Steve Round has defended boss David Moyes after the club's poor start to the season.

 

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DAILY MAIL: Kyle Walker issued a grovelling apology last night after embarrassing the England team by inhaling the legal but potentially deadly "hippy crack" drug. Also: Craig Bellamy will bring down the curtain on 15 years' service to Wales when his country's qualifying campaign ends next month in Belgium.

DAILY EXPRESS: Rickie Lambert says England can bank on him to fire them towards the World Cup finals in Brazil. Also: Frank Lampard, poised to join England's centurion club tomorrow, is desperate to extend what could be his final season as an international all the way to the World Cup in Brazil.

DAILY STAR: Frank Lampard and his England team-mates fear a defeat in Ukraine tomorrow will condemn them to a dreaded World Cup play-off. Also: Lewis Hamilton says that trying to win the world title this year will be like climbing Everest in swimming shorts after taking just two points in the Italian Grand Prix.

THE SUN: Frank Lampard rallied England's World Cup troops last night, insisting: "We're going to Ukraine to win". Also: New FA chairman Greg Dyke will not be in Ukraine for England's crunch World Cup qualifier tomorrow night.

THE INDEPENDENT: Frank Lampard said yesterday that he does not want his England career to peter out this year with another ignominious failure to qualify for a major tournament, as he prepares to win his 100th cap in the team's crucial World Cup qualifier against Ukraine tomorrow night in Kiev. Also: Three months and a cricketing epoch ago, England set their stall out against Australia. That was then and this is now.

THE GUARDIAN: Frank Lampard has conceded he has entered the final year of an illustrious England career but, as he prepares to become the eighth man to gain 100 caps for his country, is determined to ensure his involvement at this level extends to an appearance at next summer's World Cup finals in Brazil. Also: It could well become a pub quiz question. Which Olympic contest pitted the actor Billy Baldwin against Fidel Castro's son and ended with a sport that has 3,000 years of Olympic history being dropped only to be reinstated months later?

DAILY MIRROR: New FA chairman Greg Dyke will miss England's crunch game in Ukraine tomorrow - because of a business meeting. Also: Frank Lampard last night insisted England did not deserve to be "written off for 50 years of failure".

DAILY TELEGRAPH: When Frank Lampard reaches a century of England caps in Kiev tomorrow, he will briefly recall an excruciating scene at a 1996 West Ham United fans' forum at Rollerbowl, Romford's premier ten-pin venue. One irate supporter, related to a young player called Scott Canham who could not get in Harry Redknapp's side, was berating the manager for persisting with his nephew Lampard, the son of his assistant, Frank senior. Also: They thought it was all over. And then it was not. Lewis Hamilton angrily conceded defeat in this year's title race after his ninth-place finish in the Italian Grand Prix yesterday left him a massive 81 points behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel with just seven races remaining.

THE TIMES: Frank Lampard has admitted that his time as an England player is nearing an end, but he is desperate to finish on a high in Brazil next summer rather than have his international career cut short by failure to qualify for the World Cup finals. Also: Lewis Hamilton scoured his brain for a metaphor to describe the tallest of tall orders he faces if he is to be Formula One world champion this season.

 

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THE SUN: Roy Hodgson admitted he is under massive pressure ahead of tonight's World Cup decider in Ukraine. Also: Andy Carroll has suffered a fresh injury nightmare just days before his comeback.

DAILY MAIL: Roy Hodgson admits the pressure is on him after claiming he could trust his team to get the right result in tonight's crucial World Cup qualifier against Ukraine. Also: Dan Cole was yesterday cleared of biting an opponent, but has been urged to start wearing a gum shield to reduce the risk of injury and any similar episodes in future.

DAILY MIRROR: Roy Hodgson last night admitted he is feeling the heat ahead of England's "cup final". Also: West Ham fear Andy Carroll will be out for months after the England striker broke down with a recurrence of his heel injury in training yesterday.

DAILY EXPRESS: Roy Hodgson admitted the pressure is building on England as he urged his players to justify his faith in them during tonight's crucial World Cup qualifier with a rejuvenated Ukraine. Also: Wales have increased security around their team hotel to protect the world's most expensive player, Gareth Bale.

DAILY STAR: Roy Hodgson has urged England to show the spirit of Rome 1997 tonight. Also: Gareth Bale was so worried his Real Madrid debut was in doubt because of a groin injury that he insisted on a scan to put his mind at rest.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: England stride from the short tunnel into the cavernous Olympic Stadium here this pivotal evening, players and manager drawing on the inspiration of momentous events in previous Olympic stadiums, in Rome 1997 and Munich 2001. Also: Tyson Fury has revealed his desperation for his father to be let out of prison to watch the "biggest fight of my life" against David Haye at the end of this month.

THE TIMES: Roy Hodgson has admitted that he is feeling the pressure before England's crucial World Cup qualifying tie against Ukraine in Kiev this evening. Also: Formula One could be hours away from the biggest surprise of the season as Ferrari prepare to bury the hatchet with Raikkonen and sign him up.

THE GUARDIAN: With two home qualifiers to follow it is still some way short of crunch time for Roy Hodgson's attempts to guide his England team of greenhorns and greybeards towards next year's World Cup. Chris Coleman has not given up hope that Gareth Bale will declare himself fit to feature at some stage against Serbia tonight but the Wales manager has warned Real Madrid that it would represent a "big gamble" to start the world's most expensive footballer against Villarreal on Saturday.

THE INDEPENDENT: Roy Hodgson would resent the suggestion that he had never faced a game of the magnitude of tonight's World Cup qualifier in Kiev. Also: It was the morning after the night before and she had had just three hours' sleep, but Serena Williams looked a million dollars. Or perhaps, to be more precise, she looked $3.6m, which was the prize money she had earned by beating Victoria Azarenka the previous evening to claim her fifth US Open title.

 

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THE SUN: England are in pole position on the road to Rio after a goalless grapple in Ukraine. Also: Alex Ferguson warned of the dangers of player power six months before his relationship with Wayne Rooney completely unravelled.

DAILY MAIL: England last night secured the draw in Kiev they came for to remain on track for Brazil 2014. Also: The Heineken Cup is in its death throes with the English Premiership clubs, backed by the French, last night aborting discussions aimed at saving the competition.

DAILY MIRROR: Roy Hodgson toasted a precious point on a night of nerves in the Olympic Stadium. Also: Wayne Rooney is targeting a sensational comeback in the Manchester derby.

DAILY EXPRESS: England held on for a precious World Cup qualifying point here last night - but their chances of making Brazil 2014 remain on a knife edge. Also: Harry Redknapp last night accused the FA of hypocrisy for refusing to hammer England and Tottenham defender Kyle Walker for inhaling nitrous oxide.

DAILY STAR: Battling England took a giant stride towards the World Cup Finals last night. Also: Petr Cech is weighing up his future at Chelsea as Barcelona plot a summer move.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: This was one horrible performance by England, highlighting many technical flaws, but this was also one sweet qualifying point against their Group H rivals. Also: Gareth Bale could not spare Wales manager Chris Coleman from calls for him to be sacked during a 32-minute substitute outing in a comprehensive defeat against Serbia.

THE TIMES: England dug in to secure a point from a dismal goalless draw away to Ukraine last night to stay on course for next summer's World Cup finals.

THE GUARDIAN: A draw, Roy Hodgson will inevitably say, represents a satisfying night and, in one way at least, he would be justified. Also: The Fifa general secretary, Jerome Valcke, has ruled out paying compensation to European leagues or broadcasters by moving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter months.

THE INDEPENDENT: England lack cohesion but hang on for grim 0-0 draw in Ukraine to keep hopes of reaching World Cup in their hands. Also: The Heineken Cup, one of professional rugby's biggest success stories, was driven closer to oblivion last night.

 

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THE SUN: Gary Lineker was painted in vegetables yesterday as Roy Hodgson warned him - You're sprout of order. Also: Mesut Ozil is in line for a shock start for Arsenal at Sunderland on Saturday.

DAILY MAIL: Gareth Bale turned up for his first day at the office and was warmly welcomed by the man he has replaced as the world's most expensive footballer. Also: Gary Lineker is willing to sit on FA chairman Greg Dyke's crisis commission into the state of English football after smoothing over relations with England manager Roy Hodgson.

DAILY MIRROR: Gary Lineker last night backtracked over his England criticism and insisted Roy Hodgson was doing "a good job". Also: Gareth Bale got to grips with the superstar he calls The Boss when he turned up for his first day with Real Madrid yesterday.

DAILY EXPRESS: Roy Hodgson's fractious relationship with Gary Lineker threatens to become further strained after he accused the former England striker of having a selective memory. Also: It was almost manbags at 20 paces yesterday as new signing Gareth Bale was greeted at Real Madrid by the man he replaced as the world's most expensive player.

DAILY STAR: Daniel Sturridge is on course to play for Liverpool on Monday - despite pulling out of the England squad. Also: Shake on it! Galactico Cristiano Ronaldo welcomes £85million star Gareth Bale to Real Madrid yesterday.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Roy Hodgson has returned from Kiev with a point and a grievance. Also: Manchester United defender Phil Jones is demanding a written apology from Stuart Pearce after being left furious following claims that he lacked the commitment to play in the European Under-21 Championship this summer.

THE TIMES: Bradley Wiggins offered to walk out on Team Sky in the middle of his Tour de France victory last year. Also: Even now, Roy Hodgson seems surprised that his delight at a solid, if uninspiring England performance away from home might not be shared universally.

THE GUARDIAN: Roy Hodgson has admitted he deliberately set out his England team to play long-ball football in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine that has led to prolonged criticism of the team's methods under his management.

THE INDEPENDENT: Roy Hodgson has hit back at Gary Lineker's criticism of the England team's "awful" 0-0 draw with Ukraine, claiming that the England sides the former striker played in were not always a "total success" either.

 

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THE SUN: Samuel Eto'o has revealed that he once loathed Jose Mourinho. Also: Arsenal's £42.5million man Mesut Ozil has hit out at Real Madrid's dirty tricks campaign.

DAILY MAIL: Arsene Wenger has said his future as Arsenal manager will be determined by the success or failure of a new team built around club record signing Mesut Ozil. Also: Emmanuel Adebyaor will be forced to train with Tottenham's development squad as manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted the £100,000-a-week striker may never play for Spurs again.

DAILY MIRROR: Mesut Ozil last night angrily accused Real Madrid of showing him a lack of respect. Also: Gareth Bale's debut for Real Madrid could be at left-back after he told boss Carlo Ancelotti he would play anywhere.

DAILY EXPRESS: Mesut Ozil has launched a fierce defence of his professionalism after claims from Madrid that he was more interested in a romance with a model than football. Also: Former Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee believes players do not want to join the club under the current regime.

DAILY STAR: Mesut Ozil has angrily dismissed claims he is a playboy. Also: Emmanuel Adebayor has been sent into exile at Tottenham.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Mesut Ozil admits he joined Arsenal because of the respect shown by manager Arsene Wenger. Also: Greg Dyke, the FA chairman, emerged from this afternoon's meeting with the Premier League clubs confident that all parties can work together to address England's problems.

THE TIMES: Arsene Wenger's decision on whether to extend his contract beyond this summer could depend on Mesut Ozil's ability to transform Arsenal into a genuine force at home and abroad. Also: On a day when England fell to their lowest position in the Fifa rankings since February 2001, Grg Dyke received assurances that the Premier League clubs would support his quest to address long-term challenges facing the national team.

THE GUARDIAN: Premier League clubs have agreed to work with a commission set up by the Football Association to improve the development of players available to England. Also: How curious that one of Mesut Ozil's first acts as an Arsenal player, finally unveiled 10 days after his all-important signature confirmed one of the most audacious incoming transfers to the Premier League, was to defend himself.

THE INDEPENDENT: Arsene Wenger has admitted that his future at Arsenal will be determined by the success of the new team he will build around Mesut Ozil. Also: The Premier League has taken its first steps to help produce better England players following Football Association chairman Greg Dyke's appeal last week by making its Under-21 league more competitive with promotion and relegation.