Thursday’s news and transfer rumour roundup.
Midfielder Marco Reus, 25, is refusing to enter into contract negotiations with Borussia Dortmund as Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal prepare to make bids at the end of the season – (Daily Express)
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are locked in a battle to sign Anderlecht’s Mile Svilar, the 15-year-old Belgian goalkeeper tipped to be the next Thibaut Courtois – (Daily Mail)
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has identified Valencia’s former Chelsea and Manchester City target Nicolas Otamendi, 26, as the man he wants to reinforce the Red Devils’ defence in January – (Daily Express)
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett has played down the possibility of making a loan move to bring Sunderland’s 27-year-old ex-Molineux striker Steven Fletcher back to the club – (Sunderland Echo)
Southampton are close to agreeing a new five-year contract with 19-year-old left-back Matt Targett, seen as the long-term successor to Luke Shaw – (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling will be assessed on Thursday after hurting his thigh in training, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match with West Ham at Old Trafford – (Daily Mail)
Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert, 32, says he wasn’t happy with his own performance in the League Cup win over Middlesbrough, which overshadowed the honour of being named captain for the night – (Daily Star)
Everton’s Costa Rican left-back Bryan Oviedo, 24, says it was “very emotional” to make his return to first-team action against Swansea on Tuesday after eight months out with a broken leg – (Daily Mirror)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he hopes to “transform” Abou Diaby, 28, into a defensive midfielder to prolong his career after the France international suffered repeated injury problems – (Daily Telegraph)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez says defensive solidity is in the club’s “DNA”, despite the Blues conceding 17 goals in their first seven matches of the season – (Liverpool Echo)
Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend, 23, says a number of fringe players are pushing for inclusion in Saturday’s north London derby with Arsenal – (London Evening Standard)
Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 26, insists Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has never told him he has to leave the club – (Sportwereled – in Dutch)
Former West Brom head coach Steve Clarke would be open to an approach from managerless Fulham, while claiming he was “quite close” to getting the Crystal Palace job in the summer – (Talksport)
Midfielder Kevin Nolan, 32, admits he faces a fight to win back his place in the West Ham team as he nears a return to full fitness –(Evening Standard)
Manchester City midfielder James Milner, 28, hints that he could leave next summer if he does not get enough playing time this season – (Daily Star)
Luis Suarez scored twice for Barcelona B against Indonesia Under-19s in a behind-closed-doors friendly as the banned 27-year old edges towards his return to first-team football on 27 October – (The Independent)
Midfielder Michael Essien, 31, is enjoying having former Chelsea team-mate Fernando Torres, 30, at AC Milan – (Daily Mail)
Former Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn says he would “put my house” on Russell Slade being a success at Cardiff City if the O’s boss – who has been targeted by Cardiff and tendered his resignation to Orient on Wednesday – takes over at the Championship club – (Wales Online)
Some Manchester United fans have chartered a £3,000 plane carrying a banner to fly over Real Madrid’s game with Villarreal on Saturday to help persuade former Old Trafford forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, to return ‘home’ – (Metro)
Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster believes that he made the right decision in joining the club in the summer – (Sky Sports)
Manchester United flop Anderson has been lined up for a shock move to the Indian Super League – (Metro)
Toni Kroos AGREED to join Man United but then U-turned after Louis van Gaal’s appointment – (Daily Mirror)
Former Manchester United and Burnley winger Chris Eagles, 28, is on trial at Championship Millwall – (Daily Star)
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has waved away talk of a bid being prepared by Manchester City for young midfielder Ross Barkley – (Inside Futbol)