
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Real Madrid will make an improved offer for Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. (The Sun)
Bolton's �2.5m bid for Argentina skipper Juan Pablo Sorin has been accepted by Villareal, but Portsmouth, Stuttgart and Inter Milan have not given up hope of signing the full-back. (The Sun, Daily Mail)
Barcelona and Inter Milan will fight it out for the right to sign Patrick Vieira from Juventus, ending Man Utd's hopes of bringing him to Old Trafford. (The Sun)
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder would like to buy Germany striker Miroslav Klose, but fears being out of the Champions League will hinder his chances. (The Sun)
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has told Real Madrid to forget about signing midfielder Xavi Alonso. (Daily Mail)
Rangers will learn by noon on Monday if Arsenal will allow 18-year-old striker Nicklas Bendtner to move to Ibrox on a year-long loan. (The Herald)
Dunfermline face competition from Nottingham Forest for the signature of former Aberdeen and Livingston striker Noel Whelan. (Daily Mail)
Aberdeen expect to sign Zambia midfielder Chris Katongo from Jomo Cosmos despite interest from Rangers and Southampton. (Daily Express)
OTHER GOSSIP
Niall Quinn is set to appoint himself as the Black Cats' new manager after failing to convince Martin O'Neill or Sam Allardyce to take the plunge. He will bring Peter Reid in as his number two. (Various)
Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis will step up his pursuit of Martin O'Neill when he returns from holiday on Monday. (Daily Mail)
FUNNIES
BBC Sport presenter Adrian Chiles has said in an interview that even after watching the World Cup alongside Alan Shearer, he cannot believe the ex-England striker knows his name. (Daily Mirror)