The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday's newspapers...
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Aston Villa have been left unimpressed by the timing of an approach from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins.
Manchester United are in tentative talks with Barcelona over a loan deal for Marcus Rashford, although there remains doubt over whether the Catalan club can make the agreement in time for Monday's deadline given their struggles to comply with LaLiga's financial controls.
Tottenham are one of the clubs to have registered an interest in Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel as the club desperately try to hand head coach Ange Postecoglou a much-needed transfer boost.
Sir Bill Beaumont, the interim chair of the Rugby Football Union, has made an extraordinary plea to the member clubs to save Bill Sweeney's job as chief executive at a special general meeting.
The Prince of Wales was subjected to anti-royal chants by Celtic fans during Aston Villa's Champions League clash with the Scottish club.
German champions Bayer Leverkusen are close to clinching the loan signing of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson but first will have to move on striker Victor Boniface to make room for him in their squad.
Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, has told one of the most senior figures in Spanish football that he wants to bring English referees to the country to improve the standard of officiating.
THE TIMES
Manchester United are tapping into the expertise of one of the world's leading athletics coaches, who is working with Old Trafford staff as a consultant.
Ricky Ponting has criticised the decision to drop the teenager Sam Konstas from the Australia Test side only two matches after his impressive debut.
THE ATHLETIC
Manchester United are interested in a potential move for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, should the 19-year-old be made available to leave on loan before the transfer window closes.
Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday ahead of a proposed permanent transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
A study has recommended that kick-off times at the 2026 men's World Cup in North America should be scheduled outside of afternoon hours to protect players and supporters from "potentially dangerous levels of heat."
Borussia Dortmund are set to appoint Niko Kovac as their new head coach, with an agreement in place on a contract that will run through to 2026.
DAILY MAIL
Ben Chilwell is set to stay at Chelsea unless a new club arrives with a late January window swoop that can revive the England left-back's career.
Steve Thompson has emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant manager's job at Bolton as part of an ex-player duo.
THE SUN
Southampton wonderkid Tyler Dibling is being chased by three German giants as well as Tottenham.
Tottenham have reportedly opened talks to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford.
Former Arsenal star Cedric Soares is closing in on a return to football after almost seven months without a club - agreeing a three-month deal with Sao Paulo.
Nicky Butt's 50th birthday party is at the centre of a police probe after an alleged head-butt left a security guard with a suspected broken nose.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been advised to make a sensational swoop for Paul Pogba when his drugs ban is up in two months.
DAILY STAR
Viktor Gyokeres has been earmarked as Arsenal's "perfect" signing by former Gunners defender Bacary Sagna.
SCOTTISH SUN
Jefte is destined for the Premier League with Chelsea or another massive team, according to his agent.
Transfer Centre LIVE! Deals, rumours, news on your phone 📱
The January transfer window is OPEN!
Follow all the latest deals, news and rumours on the 'Transfers' section of the Sky Sports app!
Looking for news about YOUR club? Find dedicated transfer pages for EVERY Premier League team.
