Everton are set to renew their interest in Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov and are also considering a move for Hearts defender Andy Webster. (Daily Record)

Real Madrid are plotting a �30m double bid for Arsenal stars Cesc Fabregas and Jose Antonio Reyes. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth are lining up a bid for Wigan striker Henri Camara. (Various)

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has confirmed he is chasing Egypt striker Mido after his spell at Spurs came to an end (Mirror).

The League Managers' Association has warned Middlesbrough to scrap plans to install captain Gareth Southgate as manager because he does not have the required coaching badges. (Daily Star)

However, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is set to emulate Newcastle and seek dispensation from his Premiership colleagues. (The Independent)

Ex-Brentford boss Martin Allen will fly back from holiday to take charge at Tranmere. (The Sun)

Crystal Palace plan to talk to former Inter and AC Milan coach Alberto Zaccheroni about their vacant managerial post. (Various)

Bolton have made a bid for Marseille defender Abdoulaye Meite. (Various)

Marseille winger Franck Ribery will make a decision on his future this week with Manchester United and Arsenal hoping to bring him to the Premiership. (The Guardian)

Liverpool have made a �3.5m bid for Birmingham winger Jermaine Pennant. (The Sun, Mirror)

Hearts want former Rangers star Alexei Mikhailichenko to be their new director of football. (Various)

Gretna owner Brooks Mileson quashed speculation that his club would bring Marvin Andrews after the World Cup. (Daily Record)

Wembley groundsman Steve Welch has prepared a practice pitch fit for a World Cup final at England's training base at Baden Baden. (The Sun)

Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is being monitored by Sweden's medical staff after his migraine problems flared up again while midfielder Tobias Linderoth sat out training with a hamstring problem. (Daily Mirror)

Paraguay keeper Justo Villar has warned England to expect a rough ride in their World Cup opener on Saturday. (Daily Star)

Germany captain - and new Chelsea signing - Michael Ballack sat out the team's latest training session with a slight calf strain. (Various)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was fuming after Wayne Rooney hit a scissor-kick with his injured foot on his first day back in England training. He fears the striker could do long-term damage. (The Sun)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has snubbed England and says Germany and Holland are the only team who can stop Brazil at the World Cup.

Ukraine captain, and new Chelsea recruit, Andriy Shevchenko is still recuperating from a knee injury but should be fit for next week's opener against Spain. (The Guardian)

Brazil midfielder Emerson says England's midfield are a big threat to their rivals while defender Cafu says Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney are one of the best attacking duos in Germany. (Various)

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman says teenage sensation Lionel Messi is recovering from his thigh injury. The star striker will wear a pair of special boots in Germany stitched with the words: "The Hand of God, Mexico 86." (Daily Mail)

The Sun says that England's opening match against Paraguay on Saturday will be officiated by a referee nicknamed Little Dracula.

Marco Rodriguez, 35, was given the moniker because of his likeness to a television character and after the World Cup he is set to star in his own cartoon in his native Mexico.

Referees have been told to impose an absolute ban on jewellery worn by players at the World Cup.

English referee Graham Poll, told The Express, if players try to sneak on wearing rings, earrings or chains then they will be shown a yellow card - and may even be forced to have any rings cut off their fingers.

German bars are giving England fans plenty of chances to score by fitting mini goal posts and balls into their urinals to improve their drinkers' aim, says The Sun.

Several newspapers report a pair of made-to-measure Nike boots have left Brazil striker Ronaldo hobbling with painful blisters, he says: "I've never had blisters like these before."

The makers of Subbuteo have told the media they are attempting to rush out a dancing Peter Crouch figure to cash in on "the Crouch bop".