All the top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday’s national newspapers…
THE SUN
Manchester United are reportedly once again set to attempt to lure Sergej Milinkovic-Savic away from Lazio.
Alexandre Lacazette could reportedly be handed a new short-term deal at the Emirates as Barcelona and Lyon eye up a free transfer.
Mohamed Salah was rushed off the pitch after dramatic scenes saw Senegal beat Egypt on penalties to reach the World Cup finals.
Real Madrid are reportedly listening to offers for Brazil winger Rodrygo as they plan a summer clearout.
Newcastle United have suffered a transfer blow after Charles de Ketelaere revealed a former Sunderland star told him “there’s not much to do” there.
Liverpool have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race for Paris Saint-Germain wonderkid Ismael Gharbi.
Manchester United plan to free up nearly £500,000 a week in wages by allowing three stars to leave.
Juan Mata has called on global donations to help the people of war-hit Ukraine.
Gareth Bale could reportedly sign a short-term deal with a new club – before retiring after the World Cup should Wales qualify.
Erling Haaland has reduced his massive salary and agent fee demands, reports suggest.
Chelsea striker Timo Werner is reportedly ready to quit the club – but it will take a £33m bid to snare him.
Lucas Torreira is set to finally secure a permanent move away from Arsenal in the summer after two years spent on loan.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino remain the frontrunners for the Manchester United job, with Luis Enrique’s determination to manage Spain at the World Cup finals pushing him out of contention.
Luis Enrique’s determination to manage Spain at the World Cup finals is pushing him out of contention for the Man Utd job
Chelsea’s shortlisted bidders have been warned against turning the race to buy the club into a public beauty contest by the bank in charge of the sale.
A radical new blueprint for the English domestic game involving the creation of a 12-team Premier League is being considered as part of the England & Wales Cricket Board’s high-performance review.
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s contract has been extended by a further 12 months as an agreed clause was automatically triggered after reaching a number of appearances, although it does not necessarily mean he will stay at Chelsea next season.
DAILY EXPRESS
Tottenham will be forced to wait if they want to revisit their interest in Adama Traore this summer, according to reports.
Arsenal and Tottenham may have to pay up to €150m (£127m) if they want to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
Arsenal and Spurs may have to pay up to €150m if they want to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez
Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is plotting to take advantage of the ongoing turmoil at Stamford Bridge by making a move to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to reports in Italy.
DAILY MAIL
Dan Ashworth could be made to wait until November before taking up his role as Newcastle United sporting director.
Paul Pogba will have to take a significant pay cut if he wants to join Juventus from Manchester United when his contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer, according to reports.
Paul Pogba will have to take a significant pay cut if he wants to join Juventus from Man Utd when his contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer
Mohamed Salah and his Egypt team-mates had lasers shone in their faces during their crucial World Cup qualifier defeat by Senegal.
Brazil striker Giovana Queiroz has accused Barcelona of forcing her to isolate against her will.
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui has ruled himself out of the race to take over as Manchester United boss.
PSG star Lionel Messi has signed a $20m (£15m) deal to promote crypto fan company Socios.
Joe Hart has revealed how a brutal critique of his abilities by Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo left him considering retirement.
Barcelona have opened talks over a new contract for Ousmane Dembele, which could have consequences for their bid to sign Leeds winger Raphinha.
Leicester are the frontrunners to sign England wing Anthony Watson from Bath, but the West Country club are keeping hold of Jonathan Joseph – who was a target for wealthy Toulon.
Elise Christie says swapping skates for scooters will boost her bid to reach the next Winter Olympics.
DAILY MIRROR
Ajax’s technical manager has declared his wish to keep coach Erik ten Hag away from Manchester United’s clutches, but conceded the Dutch club “know how the world works”.
Ajax’s technical manager has declared his wish to keep coach Erik ten Hag away from Man Utd’s clutches
Roman Abramovich is no stranger to the threat of a poison attack and previously introduced strict measures at Chelsea to protect himself – including a ban on outside catering at Stamford Bridge.
Woody Johnson admits his failed Chelsea takeover bid is bittersweet as the sum of money required to purchase the club presents a “huge challenge” financially.
David Beckham has reportedly got some grand plans at Inter Miami after the Qatar World Cup this winter to reunite Lionel Messi with his old Barcelona pals.
Leeds chief Victor Orta revealed Raphinha does not have a release clause if they stay in the Premier League, with Elland Road bosses set to demand about £70m this summer after failing to tie down their star man to a new deal.
Newcastle could secure an agreement with Watford for Ismaila Sarr this summer two years after Manchester United came ‘extremely close’ to agreeing a deal for the forward.
Patrick Bamford could be back in time to help Leeds in their battle to beat the drop.
West Brom boss Steve Bruce will pay Brighton nearly £1million to turn Jayson Molumby’s loan into a permanent agreement.
Tom Ricketts won the first round of his battle to convince Chelsea fans over racism claims.
Isaac Hayden has been fined £19,000 for his 19-word tweet labelling referee David Coote as Chelsea’s “12th man” in their 1-0 defeat earlier this month.
THE TIMES
UEFA has dropped the most controversial part of its new Champions League qualification plan – which would have allowed two clubs with a strong recent record in Europe to leapfrog others – but it is still considering the use of rankings to award one or two places.
Nick Kyrgios is set to face severe disciplinary action from the ATP, including a possible suspension, after an astonishing series of outbursts towards an umpire during his fourth-round defeat at the Miami Open.
British Cycling has been accused by former Olympic competitors of discriminating against females with their policy for transgender athletes.
THE GUARDIAN
Plans to allow teams to qualify for the Champions League based on historical performance from the 2024/25 season have received the backing of Europe’s top clubs as the best way to ensure the competition remains “premium” and “inclusive”.
The Rugby Football Union has ruled that Premiership stars from South Africa and the Pacific Islands will continue to be classified as non-foreign until 2024, when the governing body is seeking to introduce beefed-up rules on England-qualified quotas.
DAILY STAR
Alexandre Lacazette has praised Mikel Arteta for his recent return to form
Alexandre Lacazette has hailed Mikel Arteta as the main instigator of Arsenal’s resurgence in form by saying it’s “all about him”.
Steven Gerrard is set to upset Rangers again with a swoop for their most promising youngster Rory Wilson.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could be forced into taking a huge gamble on Ruben Dias’ fitness in a bid to boost his side’s flagging title hopes.
SCOTTISH SUN
Rangers are set to hand out bans to fans who invade the pitch.
Rangers haven’t given up hope of convincing hotshot Rory Wilson of extending his stay at Ibrox.
DAILY RECORD
Gheorghe Hagi has backed his son Ianis to hit the same lofty heights the Rangers star was reaching before he suffered his devastating knee injury.
Brighton are set to table a £275,000 bid to try and beat Wolves and West Ham United to the signing of Kilmarnock youngster Charlie McArthur.