Liverpool are ready to appoint Valencia coach Rafael Benitez or Charlton boss Alan Curbishley as their new manager, amid claims Gerard Houllier will leave next week. (Daily Mirror)

Real Madrid prepare an improved offer of �35m for Manchester United's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. (The Independent)

Manchester United have agreed the �6m transfer of Alan Smith from Leeds. (Daily Mail)

Sir Alex Ferguson is facing a double investigation into his transfer dealings from both a BBC documentary and an internal Old Trafford inquiry. (Daily Mirror)

The new management regime at Spurs is set to bid for veteran Middlesbrough defender Gareth Southgate. (Daily Mirror)

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has targeted Jesper Gronkjaer of Chelsea and Crystal Palace's Julian Gray. (Daily Express)

Charlton must wait for the completion of the Swedish and Danish leagues before discovering if they have won a place in the Uefa Cup via the Fair Play League. (The Guardian)

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier rejects claims that he is about to leave Anfield. (Daily Express)

Middlesbrough boss Steve McLaren is keen to sign Arsenal stalwart Ray Parlour in a �2m deal. (The Sun)

England bosses warn Kieron Dyer that cockiness and an unsettling effect on the team will lose him his place in the Euro 2004 squad, with Jermain Defoe of Spurs his replacement. (Daily Telegraph)

Wes Brown will be offered a new four-year contract by Manchester United. (Daily Mail)

Sunderland have released former Liverpool duo Jason McAteer and Phil Babb as part of their summer clear-out. (Daily Mirror)