From the back pages, July 27: Gareth Bale demands to move to Real Madrid after Tottenham break promises
New Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says Cesc Fabregas will not be sold to Manchester United - at any price, writes David McDonnell in Hong Kong. (The Mirror)
Rio Ferdinand took to Twitter to reveal he lost four kilograms during Manchester United’s 2-2 draw thanks to the humidity in Japan. In another issue concerning the conditions on Premier League clubs’ pre-season tour, the United defender said the game was a very hard one for David Moyes’ men, who needed a last-minute Wilfried Zaha strike to save slumping to a third defeat from four. (Daily Mail)
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Hide AdARSENAL are in pole position to sign Luis Suarez after Real Madrid pulled out of the running to bag him. (The Sun)
EVERTON have admitted they need to sell before launching a bid for Juventus striker Alessandro Matri. (The Express)
Jessica Ennis-Hill may be excused all this legacy talk. One year on from her scene-stealing turn as the poster girl and she is labouring. Her left ankle hurts and her training venue is due to close. She is more than a little worried as she heads back to the Olympic Stadium for the mother of all fitness tests. (The Times)
For a side whose batting has looked fragile to register an opening stand of 150 would, under normal circumstances, be unalloyed good news. It is typical of Australia’s fortunes on this troubled tour, however, that the efforts of Phillip Hughes and Ed Cowan should result in more questions than answers. (The Guardian)