Luka Modric seemed destined to leave Tottenham Hotspur the moment Didier Drogba caressed the ball into the back of Manuel Neuer's net to win the Champions League for Chelsea in May, and now Gareth Bale's new contract seems to be hastening the exit.
The Welshman inked a four-year deal yesterday, which suggested A. Spurs have broken their £70,000-a-week wage barrier and B. They have made an exception just for him. Modric may not need a new contract (he signed a six-year deal in 2010) but he does want out and The Sun say he will submit a written transfer request.
Which vultures will be circling? Manchester United are admirers but Real Madrid are more welcome bidders. Because talk of the talented but underused Nuri Sahin at the Bernabeu moving the other way is gathering pace, as the Mail run with the story this morning.
Good news about Bale is further tempered by the possible breakdown of Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen's move to White Hart Lane. The Belgian effectively stated his transfer to north London was a fait accompli when in London for his national team's friendly with England, but that was four weeks ago now.
It is reported in various news outlets the £9.5m move is in jeopardy because the 25-year-old is entitled to 15 per cent of the transfer fee, which is not going down well with the Ajax hierarchy.
Staying in London and Chelsea have been told they can have Stevan Jovetic by Fiorentina for £25m, allege the Star. Although in The Sun they, and Manchester City, have been told to fuggedabout signing Edison Cavani by Napoli. Did you know Cavani's parents named him after Thomas Edison but added in an "n" unintentionally? Illuminated?
Further to yesterday's reportsMichael Owen's Chester races career may be in jeopardy if he was to up sticks for the UAE comes the news Al-Shabab don't want the Manchester United cast-off. They claim he is "on the downhill" in the Mirror.
Aston Villa regularly emerge as a possible next destination for Norwich's Grant Holt, but it was West Ham who had a £4m bid rejected for the 31-year-old. Yet that hasn't dissuaded them according to the Mail, who say they will increase their offer up to £6m.
Desperation comes in the guise of Leon Britton's agent, who has asked Roy Hodgson to consider the Swanselona, sorry, Swansea City midfielder for a potential call-up in the Star.
It's dire straits at Ibrox, with the Guardian claiming Rangers will start pre-season with just three players, as Lee McCulloch, Lee Wallace and Kyle Hutton define commitment.
And new Birmingham City manager Lee Clark's appointment at St Andrews was apparently leaked on the internet by his children, report the Birmingham Evening Mail.