Update

Real Madrid could beat Tottenham to appoint Mauricio Pochettino - Paper Talk

Plus: Dele Alli has not gone absent without leave at Besiktas, despite claims by Senol Gunes, his outspoken coach; Gareth Southgate could extend his England stay beyond Euro 2024; Dejan Kulusevski has backed Antonio Conte to remain at Tottenham; Spurs are eyeing Man Utd's Dean Henderson

Thursday 23 March 2023 07:41, UK

All the top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday's newspapers...

THE TIMES

Tottenham risk missing out on Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the season, with the Argentine manager high up on Real Madrid's shortlist if Carlo Ancelotti leaves the Spanish club this summer.

Dele Alli's time with Besiktas reached a new low when his manager questioned the England midfielder's commitment after he missed training on Wednesday and was reportedly not answering his phone.

Gareth Southgate is excited to have another shot at leading England to glory and hinted that winning next summer's Euros may see him extend his stay.

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DAILY MAIL

Gianluca Scamacca is set to face England on Thursday night under a cloud of uncertainty as he changes agencies and considers his future with West Ham.

The battle for Manchester United descended into farce last night as the initial deadline for second bids passed. Representatives of the Qatar-based group and that of Sir Jim Ratcliffe had both claimed that their offers had gone in before the 9pm cut-off.

Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has said he is hopeful Chelsea will be able to sign Joao Felix this summer and even suggested two players they might look to offload to help them in their pursuit.

Folarin Balogun sent US football fans into a frenzy after posting a picture on Instagram which appeared to show him in Orlando, near where the national team is currently holding a training camp. Balogun is eligible to play for the country, as well as England and Nigeria.

Brendan Rodgers has revealed Harry Souttar could be used as a makeshift striker after the Leicester boss experimented with the idea in training.

THE SUN

Jermain Defoe has questioned the point of pursuing a coaching career as a black player after seeing numerous older pros of colour denied an opportunity to manage.

Liverpool's forgotten man Arthur Melo is set to leave the club without playing a single Premier League minute. That is despite him declaring it was a "dream" to join the Reds last summer.

THE INDEPENDENT

Declan Rice has said Graeme Souness' criticism of his game is "harsh" because he "doesn't watch West Ham every week", as the England midfielder insisted he generally takes pundit scrutiny on board to improve his game.

Roberto Mancini does not expect a call from Premier League investigators as the Italy boss says his time at Manchester City was "all above board".

Tottenham attacker Dejan Kulusevski has voiced his respect for "important man" Antonio Conte despite the uncertainty over his club manager's future.

DAILY EXPRESS

Tottenham are reportedly interested in luring Dean Henderson from Manchester United this summer as they hunt for Hugo Lloris' successor. Erik ten Hag is on the search for a new stopper of his own amid uncertainty about David De Gea's Old Trafford future.

Randal Kolo Muani has seemingly opened the door to a move away from Frankfurt this summer, with Manchester United among the clubs expressing an interest. Erik ten Hag is set to be in the market for a marquee striker as a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cesc Fabregas holds no grudges against Mesut Ozil after he announced his retirement from football. The former Arsenal captain has paid tribute to the German despite him blocking his return to the Gunners nine years ago.

Andy Ruiz Jr has called for a fight with Tyson Fury after his proposed heavyweight unification bout against Oleksandr Usyk fell through.

EVENING STANDARD

Manchester United are set to beat Chelsea and other Premier League rivals to the signing of Watford full-back Harry Amass, who was part of the first-team squad for their FA Cup clash with Reading earlier this season before he had even turned 16.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Dele Alli has not gone absent without leave at Besiktas, as has been claimed by outspoken coach Senol Gunes, but is in London after the Turkish club agreed to allow him to attend a doctor's appointment on Wednesday.

John Blain, one of the former cricketers and coaches accused of racism by former Yorkshire spinner Azeem Rafiq, has revealed he will challenge any guilty verdict in the High Court and that the accusations made him consider suicide.

DAILY RECORD

Rangers have been running the rule over Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo. The Light Blues have scouted the central defender, who is currently on loan at Coventry.

Celtic's fears over Ange Postecoglou's long-term future were easing as Brentford's Thomas Frank emerged as a frontrunner for the Tottenham job.

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has urged Kieran Tierney to jump at the chance of getting regular first-team football away from Arsenal.

Open Goal are set to end their partnership with Broomhill FC after just a year. The podcast and entertainment brand - fronted by former Celtic and Swindon star Si Ferry - entered into the revolutionary agreement with the Lowland League club last summer.

DAILY MIRROR

Brighton have confirmed that Chelsea paid £21.5m in compensation for prising away head coach Graham Potter and his backroom team last September.

Arsenal are the worst offenders when it comes to abusing referees, with Mikel Arteta's side having been fined a whopping £185,000 this season for poor behaviour.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi says he has no plans to leave the club in the short-term after turning down the chance to join Arsenal during the January window.

Christian Eriksen is set to give Manchester United's midfield a boost after he returned to training on grass.

Casemiro has been handed the captain's armband by Brazil's interim manager Ramon Menezes, with the Manchester United midfielder one of few older outfield players in his squad to face Morocco.

SCOTTISH SUN

Leeds legend and former Scotland star Willie Bell has died at the age of 85.

Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has opened up on his anger at the Scottish FA's referees' department and says he is fed up at receiving apologies over incorrect decisions and VAR mistakes.