Football rumours from today's newspapers

• Real Madrid are plotting to end Wayne Rooney's Manchester United turmoil by setting aside £65m for a summer swoop.
  (Sunday People)


• Gerard Houllier wants to make Michael Owen his first signing at Aston Villa. The former Liverpool boss was impressed with Owen's form and fitness during Jamie Carragher's testimonial and wants to sign the Manchester United striker either on loan or for a nominal fee during the January transfer window.
  (News of the World)


• Manchester City are planning to smash the British transfer record by signing Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore from Palermo for £40m. The 21-year-old has also been a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
  (News of the World)


• Portsmouth hope to wrap up a loan deal for Tottenham right-back Kyle Naughton, 21, this week, while Spurs boss Harry Redknapp could also loan out fellow defender Kyle Walker, 20, to Hull City.
  (Sunday People)


• Arsene Wenger is still eager to pursue his interest in Crewe midfielder Nick Powell and is willing to spend up to £2m on the 16-year-old attacking midfielder.
  (News of the World)


• Holland goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has emerged as Manchester United's number one choice to succeed Edwin van der Sar.
  (News of the World)


• Middlesbrough are monitoring Carlo Cudicini's situation at Tottenham Hotspur with a view to a January move for the Italian goalkeeper.
  (Sunday Sun)

• Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti buried their differences over dinner in Geneva last week.
  (News of the World)


• Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier had his heart tested before accepting the Aston Villa job.
  (Mail on Sunday)


• Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is backing midfielder Alexander Hleb to prove Birmingham's most influential signing since France World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry.
  (Mail on Sunday)


• Co-owner David Sullivan claims he is at breaking point after revealing West Ham's debts have gone through the £100m barrier.
  (News of the World)


• Manager Roy Hodgson claims it will need a change of owners before Liverpool can hope to be champions again.
  (News of the World)


• Wayne Rooney was desperate to confront the expected abuse from Everton, fans only for Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to leave him out of the squad.
  (Sunday People)


• Gary McAllister, who is Gordon Strachan's coach at Middlesbrough, is ready to answer Gerard Houllier's call to be the Frenchman's right-hand man at Aston Villa.
  (Sunday People)


• Uefa has given the green light for Great Britain and Northern Ireland to field an Under-23 football team for the first time in the Olympics.
  (Sunday Express)


• Sir Alex Ferguson says Walter Smith is too young to quit as planned as Rangers manager at the end of the season and thinks owner Sir David Murray can persuade him to stay.
  (Sunday Mail)


• Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says Walter Smith "has kept Rangers alive" by winning the Scottish title at a time of financial crisis for the Glasgow club.
  (Sunday Express)


• Rangers fans fear retribution from Greater Manchester Police for the trouble after the 2008 Uefa Cup final when they travel to Old Trafford for Tuesday's Champions League tie.
  (Sunday Express)


• Scotland coach Craig Levein says there is room for flair players like James McFadden in his team but that he needs every player to share the workload.
  (Sunday Mail)


• Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has defended James McFadden after the forward was criticised by Scotland coach Craig Levein for being lazy and selfish against Liechtenstein.
  (Scotland on Sunday)


• Scotland are looking into the possibility of ditching the controversial Jabulani ball after players complained about it in their last two internationals.
  (Sunday Express)


• The Scottish Football Association faces a battle with clubs over plans to force them all to ensure their pitches are perfectly flat, with Motherwell having already sought legal advice.
  (News of the World)

• Eidur Gudjohnsen may be deemed too overweight to make his Stoke debut against Aston Villa on Monday. The former Chelsea striker has been on an intensive fitness programme after piling on the pounds in the summer.
  (The Mirror)