BBC
Arsenal and Italy midfielder Jorginho, 32, is attracting interest from Juventus, Lazio and Napoli as he enters the final few months of his contract. (Standard)
Manchester United's incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth has met with ex-Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter as pressure grows on manager Erik ten Hag. (Sun)
Liverpool will target Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi should they fail to appoint Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso as a replacement for the departing Jurgen Klopp. (Guardian)
Burnley are expected to keep Vincent Kompany as manager even if the club are relegated from the Premier League this season. (Football Insider)
Barcelona have approached Portugal boss Roberto Martinez about succeeding Xavi as manager of the Spanish club at the end of the season. (Football Transfers)
Aston Villa may have to sell players this summer to avoid breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules, with Newcastle interested in 22-year-old English midfielder Jacob Ramsey and Arsenal keen on Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 25. (Mail)
Chelsea, West Ham, Juventus, AC Milan, Nice and Lyon are interested in Gent's 21-year-old English left-back Archie Brown. (Standard)
AC Milan are monitoring Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, 25, as a potential replacement for 28-year-old France goalkeeper Mike Maignan. (Ekrem Konur)
Zinedine Zidane has no interest in managing in England so is highly unlikely to accept any offer from Manchester United should they opt to replace Ten Hag. (The i)
Liverpool are confident Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, 29, will stay at the club beyond this summer despite interest from Bayern Munich. (Football Insider)
Fulham, Everton and Southampton are keeping tabs on Coventry City's 25-year-old English attacking midfielder Callum O'Hare. (Sun)
Scouts from Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund have been watching Cercle Brugge and Togo striker Kevin Denkey, 23. (Foot Mercato - in French)
Aston Villa are considering making 28-year-old France defender Clement Lenglet's loan deal from Barcelona permanent. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Chelsea are set to recruit specialist set-piece coaches despite manager Mauricio Pochettino dismissing the idea only a month ago. (Telegraph - subscription required)
Sky Paper Talk
THE SUN
Man Utd's incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth has met with Graham Potter as pressure grows on Erik ten Hag.
Stoke are on the hunt to replace boss Steven Schumacher with former legendary boss Tony Pulis.
England football hero Mary Earps is to be immortalised with her very own waxwork.
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has teased a stunning return to management.
Thomas Tuchel would consider bossing Barcelona - if he can't get the Manchester United job.
Southampton are interested in signing Coventry star Callum O'Hare this summer but will face Premier League competition.
THE GUARDIAN
Liverpool have identified Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi as a potential replacement for Jurgen Klopp should they fail to appoint their top target, Xabi Alonso.
DAILY MAIL
Newcastle are eyeing a summer deal for Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, with recruitment chief Steve Nickson, who is leading the potential deal, in line to take over Dan Ashworth's vacant role.
Zinedine Zidane has named the only three clubs that he'd choose to manage - Marseille, Real Madrid and France - according to former team-mate Thomas Gravesen.
Roc Nation - the company founded by global superstar Jay-Z - have poached football talent spotter Adam Hitch from Adidas to lead their European scouting network.
Aston Villa are braced for interest in their star players this summer as the impact of spending rules bites across the league.
The Premier League has written to football's lawmakers asking for permission to stage a trial of temporary concussion substitutes.
The Premier League will ask Sheffield United to reimburse Chelsea fans who have been left out of pocket after their trip to Bramall Lane next month was rescheduled for the second time in three days.
Spanish prosecutors are set to appeal against the four-and-a-half-year jail term handed to former Brazil and Barcelona player Dani Alves for rape, arguing that it should be longer.
THE TIMES
The Everton manager, Sean Dyche, was among the guests at a drinks event hosted by Sir Keir Starmer for leading lights in British sport this week.
Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Alisson's hamstring injury is so severe that he will miss a large chunk of the rest of the season, but believes Liverpool's ambitions remain in safe hands with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Chelsea are set to recruit specialist coaches to work in a new dedicated set-piece department, despite head coach Mauricio Pochettino dismissing their importance only a month ago.
The barrister who represented Uefa's financial breach prosecution of Manchester City, Mark Phillips KC, is a serious contender to run football's new independent regulator.
Mauricio Pochettino says he does not understand why some Chelsea fans have begun to boo Raheem Sterling.
Newcastle United want to remain at St James' Park and expand the site as a feasibility study into the proposed redevelopment continues to consider viable options.
The president of Formula 1's governing body, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, made a high-profile intervention in the ongoing Christian Horner controversy on Friday night when he said the furore "is damaging the sport".
DAILY MIRROR
Pep Guardiola has told Barcelona they should look to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their next boss.
Man Utd have included clauses in Kobbie Mainoo's current contract that will see him collect pay increases, ultimately easing concerns over his future.
Andre Onana has opened up on the difficult start to his Man Utd career and admitted it was one of the toughest spells of his career.
THE ATHLETIC
Football's lawmakers are expected to scrap plans for blue cards as part of trials for a new sin-bin system.
Luis Enrique reiterated Paris Saint-Germain have to adjust to playing without Kylian Mbappe after he was replaced at half-time during Friday's 0-0 draw with Monaco.
Brentford defender Ben Mee is out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says he is hopeful Michael Olise will return to action before the end of the month.
DAILY EXPRESS
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Nicolas Jackson is watching clips of Brentford striker Ivan Toney in a bid to address his stuttering form at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are taking a 'serious look' at Athletic Bilbao wide man Nico Williams with a view to bringing him in as Raheem Sterling's replacement, according to reports.
EVENING STANDARD
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been recalled to the Brazil squad for the first time since the FA launched an investigation into potential gambling breaches.
Chelsea and West Ham are among the clubs monitoring £15m-rated Gent defender Archie Brown.
SCOTTISH SUN
Celtic and Rangers are reportedly set to battle it out for out-of-contract Coventry midfielder Callum O'Hare this summer.
Mark Lawwell has resigned as Celtic's head of recruitment to pursue new challenges within the game.
Steven Naismith says Hibs fans crossed a line when Lawrence Shankland had a bladed bottle opener thrown at him during the Edinburgh derby.
Philippe Clement has urged the Subway Loyal to stay in their seats - and insisted every second of Ibrox backing will count in the title run-in.
DAILY RECORD
Nick Montgomery wants an explanation over the Edinburgh derby penalty controversy - and the Hibs boss says he is surprised the Tynecastle VAR monitor is placed on the opposite side of the ground from the dugouts right in front of 6000 home fans.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino will reportedly attend Aberdeen's trip to Paisley to face St Mirren on Saturday.
The Standard
Chelsea and West Ham keen on £15m-rated Archie Brown as interest in Gent's English left-back grows
The 21-year-old is on the shortlist of a number of clubs across Europe
BELGA/AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea and West Ham are among the clubs monitoring £15million-rated Gent defender Archie Brown.
The 21-year-old is considered an option as the two London clubs look to sign a left-back in the summer.
Juventus, AC Milan, Nice and Lyon are also weighing up a move for Brown, who is set to be the subject of plenty of interest at the end of the season.
Chelsea want cover for Ben Chilwell, as Marc Cucurella is potentially up for sale after being offered to clubs last summer.
Ian Maatsen is available for the £35million release clause agreed in a new extended contract until 2026, when moving on loan to Dortmund in January. Lewis Hall is also expected to make his loan move to Newcastle permanent for £28m if all add-ons are met.
West Ham are searching for a deputy to Emerson Palmieri at left-back, with Aaron Cresswell, 34, almost joining Wolves in the summer and potentially ready to leave east London this summer.
Brown left English football when moving from Derby County to Lausanne in 2021. After two years at the INEOS-owned Swiss club, now part of a multi-club group with Nice and Manchester United, he moved to Belgian giants Gent.
The Birmingham-born winger-turned left-back has played 31 matches this season, including eight games in the UEFA Conference League.
The Athletic
Flynn Downes is key to Southampton's promotion push - does he have a West Ham future?
The on-loan West Ham midfielder has become integral to Russell Martin's team, just like he was at Swansea
Roshane Thomas
When Flynn Downes returned to pre-season in July, he had numerous discussions with David Moyes and came to the conclusion a season away was best for him.
Downes, who joined West Ham United for £9million ($11.4m) from Swansea City in the summer of 2022, made 35 appearances in all competitions in his debut season, but most were from the bench.
The 25-year-old midfielder initially wanted to see if he was part of Moyes’ plans for 2023-24. But when West Ham pursued a deal for then Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, Downes made it clear he wanted to join the Championship side so he could be reunited with manager Russell Martin, who brought the best out of him at Swansea.
West Ham strengthened their midfield with the additions of Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus. In August, Downes joined Southampton on loan for the remainder of the season. The deal does not include an option to buy, which West Ham were reluctant to sanction.
Southampton intend to prioritise signing Downes on a permanent this summer, regardless of whether they secure an immediate return to the Premier League.
“I spoke many times with the West Ham gaffer and I came to the conclusion I wanted to play week in, week out,” said Downes. “West Ham have signed a lot of midfielders, so I knew that (getting in the starting XI) would be tough, but a lot of things just appealed to me here.
“The ambition for the club is obviously to get promoted, to get back in the Premier League, and that enticed me a lot.”
Southampton are fourth and 11 points off league leaders Leicester City after a wobble in pursuit of promotion that has come in Downes’ absence. Downes has missed their last four league games with a hip injury, as Southampton’s record-breaking 25-match unbeaten run came to an end, and they have slipped five points behind second-placed Leeds United. Downes’ control as the defensive midfielder has been sorely missed.
Martin’s side have played 23 league games with Downes, winning 16 and losing three, with 2.1 goals scored per game. Without him, however, Southampton have played eight league games, winning two and losing three, with only 0.9 goals scored per game.
The midfielder is set to return to action today against Birmingham City, which will be a welcome boost for Martin. He considers Downes to be one of the best midfielders in the Championship. Loanee Joe Rothwell and Shea Charles have deputised but have not had the same impact.
Downes has scored one and provided two assists across 24 appearances. He suffered food poisoning shortly after joining Southampton which delayed his debut, but since then he has become a fan favourite. His recent absence which has contributed to Southampton’s loss of form highlights how integral he is to Martin.
“He is a big player for us, he is important,” said Martin. “He’s a brilliant character, he’s a winner, someone who’s aggressive and a brilliant athlete too.”
Other clubs in the Championship wanted to sign Downes on loan, but he knew he would have no issues settling at Southampton. He had worked with members of Martin’s backroom staff such as Matt Gill, the assistant manager, Dean Thornton, the goalkeeping coach and first-team analyst Ben Parker.
Although Downes continues to impress, it is unclear where his long-term future lies.
West Ham beat Crystal Palace to secure Downes’ signature; the midfielder signing a five-year contract with the option of a further year. Moyes and his recruitment team identified Downes as a potential addition when they discussed transfer targets in the summer of 2022. They were drawn to his attributes on the ball, the midfielder being a lifelong supporter of the club, and they felt he would be a good replacement for former captain Mark Noble, who retired in May 2022.
But Downes struggled to force his way into Moyes’ team. Of the 35 appearances the midfielder made in all competitions last season, only 15 were starts. He played 90 minutes eight times and occasionally played out of position on the wing or in an advanced role.
In Friday’s press conference ahead of the game against Everton, Moyes spoke about Downes’ progression at Southampton this season: “We’ve been watching Flynn and he’s playing in a good, successful team. We paid £12million for him and if you look at the boy (Adam Wharton) who joined Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers for £18m, sometimes you think it might be good value in the end.
“For Flynn, it would’ve been hard for him to get game time this season, but I’m really pleased he’s doing well at Southampton.”
“It’s been tough,” said Downes in October 2022. “For any player not playing it’s tough and you’ve just got to keep your head down, keep training hard, trying to improve and get in the team. Then when you get opportunities you’ve got to take them.
“It’s been a big adjustment. The way we played at Swansea is very different to the way everyone else plays. I feel like I’m adjusting now and I’ve got to keep working hard and see where that takes me.”
Downes never quite earned Moyes’ full faith but in Martin he has a manager who knows how to get the best out of him. Their bond extends far beyond manager and player — it is one which could fuel Southampton’s surge towards promotion.
