The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…
THE TIMES
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to buy 25 per cent of Manchester United was in final negotiations on Thursday night after work was undertaken all week to try to complete the paperwork in order to start the process of approvals.
The European Super League has used a landmark court ruling to relaunch with a new format but the UK government says it would block Premier League teams from signing up to another breakaway competition.
THE SUN
Interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona in Mason Greenwood has convinced Manchester United the time is right to sell the striker, currently on loan in Spain with Getafe.
Tottenham have received a boost in their pursuit of centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo as he is reported to have told Fulham he wants to leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio because of their injury problems at the back, but they remain unlikely to make any significant moves in January.
Former Chelsea and West Ham starlet Pierre Ekwah, now plying his trade in the Championship with Sunderland, is attracting interest from Premier League clubs including Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Arsenal could reportedly make a January swoop for the man many believe will be Rodri’s long-term successor for Spain.
Tosin Adarabioyo has told Fulham he wants to leave at the end of the season as a free agent.
DAILY MAIL
Barcelona and Real Madrid will be due a loyalty bonus of £870m should plans for a European Super League finally get the go-ahead.
Manchester United will have to bide their time or pay big compensation if they are determined to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director, because he has a 12-month notice period in his contract at Newcastle.
Wasps, London Irish and Worcester have been granted the chance to apply for a place in a new Premiership 2 despite opposition from current Championship clubs, with the radical changes being revealed by the RFU in a bid to save domestic rugby in England.
The RFU will give England head coach Steve Borthwick the power to allocate 25 central contracts in a bid to stem the exodus of players to France.
Everton manager Sean Dyche says previous protests from fans about a European Super League have demonstrated how they feel about the proposal.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Jesse Marsch has revealed Leeds’ owners admitted to him in private that they sacked him too soon and he says he now regrets not taking the chance to become Leicester manager before Enzo Maresca’s appointment.
Jan Vertonghen believes he suffered from mental health problems at Tottenham and has revealed he spent the entire 2019 Champions League final counting down to the final whistle.
Former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has revealed a heart condition found during a medical check ahead of a short-term move to Toulon was his reason for quitting rugby union.
Fluminense’s midfielder Felipe Melo made the sensational claim that he had never heard of the Daily Telegraph on Thursday as the build-up to the Club World Cup final developed into a debate about the ages of the South American champions who face Manchester City for the title of world champions.
Australia opener Usman Khawaja has been charged by the International Cricket Council for wearing an unsanctioned black armband to show solidarity with people affected by conflict in Gaza.
DAILY MIRROR
European Super League organisers A22 say Manchester United and other Premier League clubs have been made new offers to sign up despite their statements on Thursday that they remain committed to UEFA competition.
McLaren chief Zak Brown has conceded tensions are likely to rise between his drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri “sooner rather than later” because of their combined ambition for Formula One success.
Ivan Toney has increased speculation about his future by liking a social media comment about joining Arsenal in January.
Jarell Quansah is the most recent Liverpool star to sign a ‘car clause’ in his contract – something all young players at the club are required to do.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has confirmed that Pedro Neto is back training – and could even be on the bench against Chelsea on Christmas Eve.
DAILY EXPRESS
Gary Neville has revealed he thought he was “going to die” after claiming he had a drink spiked during a Christmas party while a teenager at Manchester United.
Manchester United are reportedly on the lookout for a ‘low-cost’ striker and right-sided centre-back in the New Year.
DAILY RECORD
Kieran Dowell insists Rangers’ injury crisis will not derail the club’s Christmas charge towards the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic’s Green Brigade could be back in their Parkhead seats on Saturday for the visit of Livingston after a two-month stand-off with the club.
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley is edging closer to a deal for a non-controlling stake in Hibernian after his representatives visited Easter Road.
Celtic and Rangers could battle it out for the signature of Wolves flop Fabio Silva, who is set to be loaned out again by the Premier League side.
