Football rumours from today's newspapers
More to follow ......

• Manchester United are tracking Sporting Lisbon's 20-year-old forward Wilson Eduardo, currently on loan at Portugal's newly promoted side Beira-Mar.
  (The Mirror)


• United are also lining up a move for Tottenham's Wilson Palacios, with Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson seeking a defensive midfielder in the continued absence of the injured Owen Hargreaves.
  (caughtoffside)


• Tottenham are monitoring the £5m-rated Hoffenheim striker Peniel Mlapa. The Togo-born 19-year-old has been dubbed the new Emmanuel Adebayor.
  (talkSport)


• Chelsea could make a move for Malaga striker Juanmi, despite the 18-year-old having recently signed a new five-year deal at the Spanish club. Full story: Daily Mirror Arsenal are plotting a raid on German club Schalke for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and defender Benedikt Howedes.
  (caughtoffside)


• The Gunners have joined Manchester United in tracking Werder Bremen winger Marko Marin.
  (footylatest)


• Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is planning a January move for Romanian side Cluj's 20-year-old Ivorian striker Lacina Traore.
  (caughtoffside)


• The Anfield club are also preparing a new bid for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez after the German side blocked a loan deal in the summer.
  (footylatest)


• Everton striker James Vaughan, on loan at Crystal Palace for three months, wants to continue at Selhurst Park after scoring a hat-trick against Portsmouth on Wednesday. "I definitely want to stay, it is a great club and I am enjoying it," said the 22-year-old.
  (Daily Star)

• Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd has dismissed reports that Mario Balotelli will be out of action until the end of November following knee surgery.
  (PASport)


• Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia will be sidelined for six months following the horrific ankle injury he suffered against Rangers on Tuesday.
  (talkSport)


• Former Manchester United forward Alan Smith has given his support to Valencia, having experienced a similar injury in 2006 that ruled him out of the sport for eight months. Smith, now at Newcastle, said: "There's no getting away from the fact it is a hard road back from an injury like that but with determination, you can do it."
  (The Sun)


• Barcelona and Spain superstar Lionel Messi arrived at London's Hackney Marshes this week by helicopter to play against an amateur team as part of a publicity stunt but was unable to even put his boots on after being whisked away amid security fears.
  (metro)


• Steve McClaren's job as Wolfsburg boss is safe for the time being, despite his side losing the first three games. The ex-England manager received a vote of confidence and the German club's managing director Dieter Hoeness said: "I won't get the hammer out and start smashing things. The situation isn't critical."
  (The Sun)


• Manchester United striker Michael Owen has stoked up the rivalry with Liverpool ahead of the Old Trafford showdown on Sunday. When asked which Premier League fixture most excites him, the former fans' favourite at Anfield said: "Probably the Manchester derby."
  (The Times)


• Stoke striker Tuncay insists he wants to stay and fight for his place and dismissed any talk of a rift with manager Tony Pulis. The Turkish international, who left the Britannia Stadium before Monday's match against Aston Villa after failing to make the bench, said: "I am an emotional person but for the gaffer it is very hard with his choices because he has so many options. This is my team and my job is here. It is only the weather I do not like here."
  (The Independent)

• Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has copied manager Robert Mancini by chopping off his flowing locks. The Argentine has decided to go for a short trim as he attempts to lead City to glory this season.
  (Daily Mail)


• Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been lambasted for criticising Werder Bremen's goalkeeper. The ex-Germany international turned television pundit questioned Tim Wiese's positioning as Tottenham opened the scoring in Tuesday's 2-2 Champions League draw. Wiese responded by saying: "He [Lehmann] belongs in the Muppet Show, on the couch or in a mental institution."
  (Daily Mail)