Football rumours from today's newspapers

• West Ham want to sign David Beckham should he consider a return to England after his recovery from injury.
  (News of the World)


• Manchester United are leading the chase to sign Spanish striker David Villa for about £35m after the World Cup.
  (Daily Star on Sunday)


• Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Wigan midfielder James McCarthy. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has sent chief scout Steve Rowley to watch the 19-year-old Republic of Ireland player.
  (News of the World)


• Liverpool are prepared to replace Ryan Babel, Albert Riera and Alberto Aquilani with top new players in a bid to keep Fernando Torres at the club.
  (Mail on Sunday)


• Chelsea are set to pip Manchester City to the signing of 18-year-old Brazilian striker Neymar from Santos.
  (News of the World)


• Arsenal are planning an £8m bid for AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who has impressed Wenger during the Dutch side's European campaign.
  (News of the World)

• Jose Mourinho is very interested in becoming the next Liverpool manager, but would only take the job if American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett leave.
  (News of the World)


• Manchester City will ask Mourinho to name his price to become their manager in the summer.
  (Sunday Express)


• Liverpool's Javier Mascherano is looking for a hefty pay rise of around £1m-a-year to stay at Anfield.
  (Sunday Mirror)


• Juventus could look to Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini to restore their club to its former glory following their exit from Europe.
  (Sunday Mirror)


• German midfielder Michael Ballack has been offered a new contract at Chelsea, which could keep him at the club until 2012.
  (Sunday Mirror)


• Dozens of English footballers are missing out-of-competition drug tests, while QPR and Bradford City have been fined for failing to provide accurate information to sampling officers over their players' whereabouts.
  (Sunday Times)

• Chelsea skipper John Terry admits that the club's top players fear the drop following the defeat by Inter Milan in midweek.
  (Sunday Mirror)


• Gareth Barry bemoans the loss of David Beckham to the England squad saying that the injured star is a "good bloke to have around".
  (Sunday Telegraph)