Good news for Arsenal: the Guardian say Málaga forward Santi Cazorla wants to sign for the club.
Although Cazorla is one of those silky forwards Arsène Wenger never seems able to say "no" to, he would be an upgrade on the nomadic trio of Andrey Arshavin, Theo Walcott and Gervinho and would offer much-needed firepower in the absence of Robin van Persie.
Cazorla has a €45m buy-out clause, but Málaga are under pressure to sell due to their worrying financial situation, since they could be relegated if they do not pay outstanding debts.
Having joined from Villarreal for €19m a year ago, Cazorla now wants to leave the Primera Liga club despite them qualifying for the Champions League. Wages went unpaid during the campaign and, as Sid Lowe reports, "promises were broken". The article adds that the 27-year-old has told Málaga of his intention to leave.
Eden Hazard's vainglorious transfer saga was bad enough, but Van Persie's future continues to exasperate those even tenuously connected to any prospective deal. One man maddened by it is Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, who will have a rotten egg on his face should his club not conclude a deal for the Dutchman. Why? The Italian hasn't even bothered with a thin veil when speaking of his admiration for the Arsenal striker, and this morning the Mirror and the Mail report on his displeasure.
The Mirror take the extraordinary step of splashing their back page with "IT'S HIM.. OR ME... Mancini demands club make a serious bid for Van Persie, or 'I'M OFF!'" Off with the head of the splash team too, since Mancini signed a new five-year deal less than a month ago...
On the other hand, the Mail are much more cautious, stating the City boss is merely worried he won't strengthen his attack.
The Telegraph also chip in by claiming Juventus are leading the race for Van Persie as they prepare a £20m bid.
More good news for Gooners: AC Milan have opened talks to bring Nicklas Bendtner to the Giuseppe Meazza. If you all manage to keep hum on Twitter (or extol the Dane's Euro 2012 performance against Portugal), you may be rid of one hefty chunk of deadwood.
Ron Vlaar's move to Aston Villa is still no closer to completion, and Feyenoord manager Ronald Koeman has given the Dutchman a week for the deal to be sorted, say the Express and Star.
Samuel L Jackson preached the word of Ezekiel 25:17, Manchester United look to Ezequiel Cirigliano, 20 (age). Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain both want to take the 20-year-old Argentinian midfielder on trial from River Plate too, claim the Mirror.
Ryan Babel, whose allowance on Twitter is like Clint Eastwood allowing Clyde the orangutan to drive his trusted truck, is a target for Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Fulham. The former Liverpool forward is out of favour at Hoffenheim, write the Mail.
Brendan Rodgers is to return to his old haunt as Liverpool are set to bid £10m for Swansea ball-retainer Joe Allen, 22 (via the Metro), but Andy Carroll has told the club they will not force him to leave Anfield in the Star.
Russian club Zenit St Petersburg are interested in Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, 27, with Manchester City and Napoli also in the running, allege the Mail.
And Luka Modric has returned to Tottenham duty sheepishly, apologising to chairman Daniel Levy for initially refusing to fly out on the club's US tour, report the Sun.