Former boss Terry Venables has agreed to join the England set-up under new coach Steve McLaren. (Daily Express)

Manchester United have made an official approach to Spurs for �15m striker Jermain Defoe - after last night selling Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro is expected to sign for Chelsea. (Daily Mail)

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has been given the green light to make a �1.4m bid for West Brom's Jason Koumas. (Daily Express)

Tottenham are interested in Juventus defender Lilian Thuram but face competition for the Frenchman from Barcelona. (The Times)

Rafa Benitez is confident he will wrap up a deal to bring Brazilian star Daniel Alves to Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)

Chievo Verona claim Arsenal have offered �5.5m for winger Franco Semioli, who would prefer a move to AS Roma. (The Times )

Spurs' attempts to sign Manchester City's Micah Richards have been boosted after he rejected an improved deal. (Daily Express)

Blackburn are close to agreeing a �3.5m deal with Roma for Egypt striker Mido. (The Sun)

Portsmouth are thinking about a move for Chelsea defender Robert Huth. (Daily Mirror, The Sun)

Pompey are also set to increase their offer to try and land Blackburn defender Ryan Nelson after a �4m bid was rejected. (Daily Express)

But Blackburn have told Nelson he is going nowhere. (Daily Mail)

Wigan boss Paul Jewell is ready to sign Hearts centre-half Andy Webster in a shock deal. (Daily Mirror)

Danny Shittu's move to Watford is in doubt with QPR chairman Gianni Paladini holding out for a �3m transfer fee. (Daily Express)

Reading are ready to increase their offer for midfielder Dean Whitehead after Sunderland rejected their initial �1.4m bid. (The Times)

Chelsea have offered a trial to Cambridge United defender Michael Morrison. (The Times)

American starlet Freddie Adu, 17, says he is interested in a move to Celtic. (Daily Express)

West Brom boss Bryan Robson is close to capturing midfielder David Thompson, who is a free agent. (Daily Mail)

James Milner has dashed Aston Villa's hopes by pledging his future to Newcastle. (The Sun)

Wayne Rooney has pleaded for Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United, saying: 'He's my mate'. (Daily Mirror)

Ashley Cole insists Arsenal "fed him to the sharks" in the tap-up row with Chelsea. (The Sun)

Spurs are keeping tabs on Italy World Cup striker Luca Toni. (The Sun)

Luiz Felipe Scolari has rejected the chance to return and manage Brazil. Big Phil, who guided Brazil to their fifth World Cup victory in 2002, wants to stay in Europe, but has yet to decide if he will stay on with Portugal. (Daily Mirror)

Former West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio has signed a one-year contract with Italian Fourth Division club Cisco Roma. (The Independent)

Next season officials in the Premiership will join their World Cup counterparts and sport those little microphones so beloved of 80s pop stars like Howard Jones and Nik Kershaw. (The Times)

Ahoy there skipper! Fabio Cannavaro found a novel way of travelling to talks with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who was aboard his �50m yacht. The Italy captain popped across on a jet ski. No doubt, he'll find his own treasure on the high seas.