The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers…
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Aston Villa have been left unimpressed by the timing of an approach from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins.
Manchester United are in tentative talks with Barcelona over a loan deal for Marcus Rashford, although there remains doubt over whether the Catalan club can make the agreement in time for Monday’s deadline given their struggles to comply with LaLiga’s financial controls.
Tottenham are one of the clubs to have registered an interest in Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel as the club desperately try to hand head coach Ange Postecoglou a much-needed transfer boost.
German champions Bayer Leverkusen are close to clinching the loan signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson but first will have to move on striker Victor Boniface to make room for him in their squad.
Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, has told one of the most senior figures in Spanish football that he wants to bring English referees to the country to improve the standard of officiating.
THE TIMES
Manchester United are tapping into the expertise of one of the world’s leading athletics coaches, who is working with Old Trafford staff as a consultant.
DAILY MAIL
Ben Chilwell is set to stay at Chelsea unless a new club arrives with a late January window swoop that can revive the England left-back’s career.
Steve Thompson has emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant manager’s job at Bolton as part of an ex-player duo.
THE SUN
Southampton wonderkid Tyler Dibling is being chased by three German giants as well as Tottenham.
Tottenham have reportedly opened talks to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
Former Arsenal star Cedric Soares is closing in on a return to football after almost seven months without a club – agreeing a three-month deal with Sao Paulo.
DAILY STAR
Viktor Gyokeres has been earmarked as Arsenal’s “perfect” signing by former Gunners defender Bacary Sagna.
SCOTTISH SUN
Jefte is destined for the Premier League with Chelsea or another massive team, according to his agent.
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