Update

Mateus Fernandes: Arsenal keen on signing West Ham midfielder this summer - Paper Talk

Friday's top stories include Man Utd and Barcelona are set to reopen negotiations next week on Marcus Rashford; Xabi Alonso is now the frontrunner for the Chelsea job; Falkirk have turned down a seven figure bid from West Bromwich Albion for Barney Stewart; Joao Pedro is not for sale

Thursday 14 May 2026 21:34, UK

The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday's newspapers...

PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal are interested in signing West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes - The Times

Manchester United and Barcelona are set to reopen negotiations next week on Marcus Rashford's future in the hope of constructing a deal - The Independent

Michael Carrick's representatives have held talks at Carrington as he closes in on becoming Manchester United's permanent head coach - The Sun

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is once again attracting interest from AC Milan and Besiktas as he considers his options this summer - Daily Mail

Joao Pedro is not for sale this summer and is considered one of Chelsea's 'untouchables' - Daily Mail

Arsenal face a fight with Porto if they want to sign midfielder Victor Froholdt this summer - The Sun

Mason Mount is determined to stay at Manchester United next season despite limited playing time under Michael Carrick - The Sun

A popular Arsenal fan podcast is at the centre of a legal dispute over a claim that its founder has been cut out of its burgeoning £60,000-per-month earnings - Daily Telegraph

CHELSEA'S MANAGER SEARCH

Chelsea are considering sticking with the favoured system of Xabi Alonso - one of the frontrunners for the club's permanent head coach post - for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City - Daily Telegraph

Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner for the Chelsea job - but wants assurances before accepting the role at Stamford Bridge - The Times

Chelsea's players believe Xabi Alonso is the ideal candidate to become their next head coach - The Guardian

SPYGATE

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert or technical director Johannes Spors could face a ban if found to have ordered the alleged undercover mission - The Sun

Middlesbrough are scheduled to return to training on Friday in order to be ready to contest a potential play-off final against Hull at Wembley on Saturday week - The Guardian

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

Hearts boss Derek McInnes could yet be sanctioned for his comments in the aftermath of Celtic's last-gasp victory away at Motherwell, but is cleared to be on the touchline at Parkhead on the final day - Daily Mail

Wilfried Nancy reckons his Celtic spell was such a disaster because the players refused to try different things - Scottish Sun

Falkirk have turned down a seven-figure bid from West Bromwich Albion for Barney Stewart - Daily Record

Stephen Robinson has admitted it is unlikely Aberdeen will sign Lyall Cameron on a permanent basis - Daily Record