As England bid farewell to the World Cup thanks to Luis Suarez, could the unstoppable Uruguayan hitman be about to say goodbye to England?
The Daily Mail says the unpopular hitman is poised for a move to Spain, which would at least save him from an unpleasant tour of Premier League grounds next season with Liverpool.
Once again the talk revolves around a release clause in the long-term contract he signed with the Reds last season. Arsenal tried to trigger a similar clause in his previous contract last season, but failed to force through a move as the Reds would not sell.
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Now, according to Spanish media, there could be a similar stand-off this summer. As the Mail explains, Liverpool inserted a trigger of £68m in Suarez's latest contract, but this is reduced to £52m if Barcelona or Real Madrid express an interest.
And it is Barcelona who are now favourites to sign the Uruguayan, as they plan to unleash a terrifying three-pronged consisting of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Suarez.
Mario Balotelli of Italy and Arsenal's Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell go head to head this evening in a match that will determine England's chances of staying in the World Cup. The pair could also be about to switch clubs in a deal that could see Balotelli heading for the Emirates, while Campbell flies in to Milan.
The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal and AC Milan could be close to agreeing a deal involving the two World Cup strikers. Apparently the Italian side "are keen" on taking Campbell on loan if negotiations develop with Arsenal over Balotelli.
The Mail says Milan have received enquiries from Monaco over Balotelli but "hope Arsenal follow up initial interest" in the striker as it would allow them to get their hands on Campbell.
Meanwhile, the saga of Paris Saint-Germain's courtship of Chelsea star Eden Hazard has taken another turn with the boss of PSG, Laurent Blanc, urging Eden Hazard to call time on his Chelsea career. Metro reports that Blanc has told the Belgian winger to "hand in a transfer request" and hop over the Channel to the French capital.
Having already lured Brazilian defender David Luiz from the Bridge this summer, the brazen Blanc now has his heart set on Hazard, two years after he left Lille for the west London club. "Hazard is a top player," said Blanc, who added that he was aware Chelsea were putting together a lucrative package to persuade the Belgian to remain loyal.
Pressed on whether he thought he would be able to seal a deal for Hazard, Blanc suggested that the Belgian would have to make the first move. "Some players will ask to leave, we'll have to see. For the moment, that's not the case. We're going to bring in some players, one or two, of great quality. We're going to wait a bit before making any more signings. Be patient."
Just up the road from Chelsea in Fulham, and the Daily Star says that the Cottagers and Ipswich are both weighing up a move for 21-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. It appears the young shotstopper could be surplus to requirements under new United gaffer Louis van Gaal and that's alerted Fulham, Ipswich as well as Birmingham. Johnstone impressed on a loan spell with Doncaster last season and though he signed a new three year deal with United in January, the Star says he wants regular game time and Van Gaal is prepared to let him have it, by allowing him to leave the club.
According to Sky Sports Manchester City's out-of-contract defender Joleon Lescott did not spend Thursday wondering, like the rest of us, whether Wayne Rooney would finally manage a World Cup goal, instead he was "having a medical at West Bromwich Albion". The 31-year-old hardly got a sniff of first team action at the Etihad last season and it's now been confirmed Lescott won't be offered a new deal as long as Manuel Pellegrini is in charge of the Sky Blues. Sky claims that providing Lescott passes muster at the medical he'll be offered a two year deal by the Baggies.
