Football rumours from today's newspapers

• Tottenham are battling to keep Jermain Defoe after the striker complained about a lack of playing opportunities.
  (The Times)


• Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has offered David Beckham the opportunity to return to the Premier League with Tottenham on a two-month deal.
  (Metro)


• Queens Park Rangers are to submit an improved bid of £3.5m for the transfer-listed Chelsea defender Alex.
  (The Guardian)


• QPR are also lining up a loan move for former Portsmouth and Sunderland midfielder Sulley Muntari. The Ghana midfielder's contract with Inter Milan expires at the end of the season.
  (Daily Star)


• Brazil Under-20 star Henrique is set to join QPR on an 18-month loan deal.
  (Lancenet)


• QPR chairman Tony Fernandes has confirmed the club's interest in Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez but he concedes that pulling off the deal remains "highly unlikely".
  (Metro)


• Argentina international Tevez is willing to take a 40% pay cut, to £120,000-a-week, to force through a transfer to Italian side Inter Milan this month.
  (Goal)


• Chelsea and Manchester United have been given a major boost in their pursuit of Lille's Belgian star Eden Hazard after he let it be known he would be interested in a move to the Premier League.
  (Daily Mail)


• Aston Villa are considering a loan move for Slovenia midfielder Armin Bacinovic, who plays for Italian club Palermo.
  (Daily Mail)


• Manchester City's Serbian full-back Aleksandar Kolarov is a target for Juventus.
  (The Mirror)


• Sunderland are eyeing Fulham striker Bobby Zamora as the Cottagers negotiate with Catania over Argentina forward Maxi Lopez.
  (The Mirror)


• Norwich City boss Paul Lambert has admitted his frustration at being unable to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.
  (Eastern Daily Press)


• Fulham have entered the race for Watford striker Marvin Sordell, and now look to be the favourites to land the England Under-21 star.
  (talkSPORT)


• Bolton are set to replace Chelsea-bound Gary Cahill with United States defender Tim Ream. The 24-year-old, who plays for New York Red Bulls, would cost around £2.5m.
  (Daily Mail)


• The agent of Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero has said that the 24-year-old could move to Liverpool in the summer.
  (International Business Time)

• Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Manchester City's phenomenal start to the league campaign, describing their results in the first half of the season as one of the best performances in a long time.
  (The Guardian)


• Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that, although he's loving life at White Hart Lane, he would have to consider any offer he received to become England boss.
  (talkSPORT)


• New Everton signing Darron Gibson has revealed he was convinced to move to Goodison Park by former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney.
  (Liverpool Echo )


• New QPR manager Mark Hughes is furious with Fulham manager Martin Jol who has accused him of lacking staying power.
  (Daily Mail)


• Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says players no longer know how they are allowed to tackle.
  (Daily Mail)


• Chris Samba's future at Blackburn has been plunged into doubt after he missed training on Friday. The £12m-rated centre-half told a French newspaper on Thursday that he wanted to leave Ewood Park.
  (The Sun)

• Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo is set to join Angolan first division club Kabuscorp.
  (Angola Press)