Real Madrid have claimed that Liverpool contacted them about a deal for Michael Owen. (The Sun)

Owen was made to train with the Liverpool reserves, as his dream move to Madrid suffered a late hitch. (Daily Express, Daily Mirror)

Real Madrid expect to parade Patrick Vieira before their fans on Friday, with a �23.8m move from Arsenal all but sealed. (Daily Express)

Real expect to sign Vieira within 48 hours and will then look to tie up a deal for Owen soon after. (Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph)

Vieira made the decision to quit Highbury after falling out with team-mates Thierry Henry and Robert Pires over France's tactics at Euro 2004. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are trying an audacious bid to sign Real Madrid star Luis Figo. (The Guardian)

Spurs have also made an approach for England midfielder Owen Hargreaves. (The Times, The Guardian)

Tottenham have agreed a �600,000 deal for Deportivo defender Nourredine Naybet. (Daily Mail)

The PFA could step in to force a postponement of Newcastle's trip to Middlesbrough at the weekend due to the viral conjunctivitis outbreak on Tyneside. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa boss David O'Leary has told chairman Doug Ellis not to fork out �8m for Southampton striker James Beattie. (Daily Express)

Manchester City star Shaun Wright-Phillips is set to pledge his future to the club. (Daily Express, The Guardian)

Charlton boss Alan Curbishley has been told to carry on spending - with another �7m lined up for two more players. (The Sun)

Steve Morgan's imminent takeover of Liverpool could see chief executive Rick Parry put his name forward to become the new FA chief executive. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle are interested in a move for Sunderland's Julio Arca after Olivier Bernard told the Magpies he is looking for another club. (Daily Mirror)

Midfielder Charles-Edouard Coridon still hopes to clinch a dream move to Celtic after a trial at Parkhead (Daily Record).