Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keen on signing 16-year-old Hamilton Academical star Jamie McCarthy. The attacking midfielder is a first team regular in the Scottish first division and Aston Villa, Bolton and Rangers are also showing an interest. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea have started talks with Ghana midfielder Michael Essien about a new improved contract. (Daily Mail)

Leeds boss Dennis Wise has told goalkeeper Neil Sullivan he will not be first choice at Elland Road and is free to find a new club. (Various)

Bayern Munich chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge says Owen Hargreaves will not be joining Manchester United because the tax on the transfer fee would have to be paid up front, making the deal uneconomical. (The Times)

West Ham's Argentine duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano will be sold when the club is taken over by the consortioum headed by Icelandic businessmen Eggert Magnusson but boss Alan Pardew's future is secure. (Daily Telegraph)

The consortium of Icelandic businessmen trying to buy West Ham have agreed a deal of around �75m with a further �23m to cover debts. The move will be confirmed today. (Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder insists he will ignore the fans who hurl abuse at him about the brain tumour he had while manager of West Ham. (Various).

Out-of-favour Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham says he is going through the worst period of his career. (Various)

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has told manager Peter Taylor to quit his role as England U-21 boss and concentrate on club football. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers striker Nacho Novo says chairman David Murray was right to criticise the players for their poor start to the season. (Various).

Luke Young says Iain Dowie should not have been sacked as Charlton manager. (The Sun)

Hearts director Alex Koslovski has branded some of his fans as racists for booing the club's Lithuanian players. (Various)

Manchester United centre-half Nemanja Vidic is studying video footage of former Old Trafford defenders Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister as he looks to create a similarly formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand. (The Sun)