The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…
THE SUN
Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot ahead of the January transfer window.
Former FA Cup finalist Brett Ormerod has begun his new job as Bolton’s assistant kit man.
Sandro Tonali’s agent has rubbished reports that he is unhappy at Newcastle and wants a return to Italy next month.
DAILY MAIL
Dan Ashworth’s sacking as Manchester United sporting director came amid concerns from his bosses that he lacked a clear vision for the club’s head coach position.
Graham Potter was the leading contender to replace West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui this week if the London Stadium side had lost to Wolves.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope is a doubt for Saturday’s visit of Leicester, in what has been a bruising week for Eddie Howe.
One of Dan Ashworth’s main competitors in the race to replace Edu at Arsenal is Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe, who is leaving the Spanish club at the end of the season.
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Sky Sports senior reporter Melissa Reddy provided further details behind sporting director Dan Ashworth’s departure at Manchester United after just five months
West Ham defender Luizao is attracting interest from Brazilian side Internacional heading into the January transfer window.
Sportsbank, the investment vehicle in talks to buy a share in Crystal Palace, were alerted to the availability of Championship side Watford before switching to south London.
Millwall players were left in the dark over Neil Harris’ plans to step down from his position as head coach this week, finding out about the decision just 10 minutes before the club’s official department.
Chelsea fans who have made the journey to watch Enzo Maresca’s side face FC Astana in Almaty have been given a touching commemorative gift to mark the mammoth journey.
West Ham’s senior players have visited Michail Antonio in hospital as he recovers from surgery following his car crash.
DAILY MIRROR
The last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park has been pencilled in for Tuesday 11 February.
Manchester City’s miserable Champions League campaign has already cost the pre-tournament favourites almost £6m in prize money.
Arsenal are in serious danger of losing Thomas Partey for nothing in the summer.
THE ATHLETIC
Brighton & Hove Albion have been fined £20,000 by the Premier League for breaking youth development rules.
Ruben Amorim saw the positives in Rasmus Hojlund and Amad having a heated discussion at the end of Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.
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Sky Sports’ Peter Smith explains why Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has repeatedly reshuffled his starting XI line-up
Gio Reyna says he is determined to “fight for more opportunities” after making his first Borussia Dortmund start in over a year during Wednesday’s Champions League loss to Barcelona.
Kylian Mbappe is a serious doubt for the Intercontinental Cup final due to a left thigh injury sustained during Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over Atalanta on Tuesday.
Kylian Mbappe was substituted on Tuesday night with what has since been confirmed as a thigh injury
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Pep Guardiola is facing a defensive crisis ahead of Sunday’s derby.
EVENING STANDARD
Tottenham are undertaking a second review of their medical department in less than a year following an injury pile-up which is threatening to further derail their season.
Fulham have been dealt a major blow after Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson was ruled out for 10 weeks with a hamstring injury.
THE TIMES
England will be unable to call up players for the U21 European Championship this summer if they are involved in the Club World Cup after Fifa tweaked its rules on reporting for international duty.
The coaches who guided Great Britain’s athletics stars to the team’s most successful Olympics in 40 years have had their funding slashed by as much as 60 per cent, leaving some facing the prospect of taking on part-time work away from the sport.
DAILY RECORD
Rangers have landed 3,700 tickets for their showdown with Manchester United with the club seeking a designated fan area in the city.
Celtic are reportedly leading the race to snap up fringe man Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea on loan in January.
The possibility of a return to Rangers for out of favour Nathan Patterson reportedly “could open up” with the Everton defender desperate to improve his game time.
Former Rangers goal hero Nikica Jelavic is reportedly being lined up for his first senior managerial role with struggling Croatian side NK Lokomotiva Zagreb.
SCOTTISH SUN
Celtic have reportedly shown interest in Ajax star Benjamin Tahirovic ahead of the January transfer window opening.