The top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday’s newspapers…

DAILY MAIL

Ex-England manager Gareth Southgate has reportedly emerged as a possible target for the US-based group set to take control of Everton.

Ivan Toney reportedly had one shortcoming which meant he was discarded from Manchester United’s shortlist this summer.

Sven-Goran Eriksson hit out at one former colleague at the FA over his affairs scandal in a new book that is set to be published after the legendary former England manager’s death.

Pep Guardiola vowed that Manchester City will not use Rodri’s long-term absence as an excuse in their latest Premier League title defence.

A separate arena for the women’s and academy teams will not be part of the initial design to regenerate the area around a £2bn new Old Trafford stadium.

Phil Foden was given detailed feedback from Pep Guardiola during an impromptu on-pitch training session after the Man City star played 90 minutes as a false nine in the Carabao Cup win over Watford.

Nike have confirmed that Mason Greenwood is not being sponsored by the brand again after the forward was spotted wearing company boots while playing for Marseille.

Scott Brown has emerged as the frontrunner to be the next manager of St Johnstone.

Mikaela Mayer has hit out at boxing authorities for making it ‘very easy to cheat’ in the sport.

THE TIMES

Howard Webb will escape the wrath of disgruntled Premier League clubs after it was confirmed that the referees’ chief will not face them this week.

Lord’s has announced a hike in ticket prices for next year’s Test matches despite criticism that the high cost of attending had resulted in falling attendances this summer.

One of France’s all-time greats Thierry Dusautoir has told the British & Irish Lions that they must move heaven and earth to ensure the flanker Jack Willis tours Australia next year.

Red Bull have lost yet another senior figure after their head of race strategy Will Courtenay agreed to move to title rivals McLaren.

THE ATHLETIC

Former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico is set to join Qatari side Al-Gharafa, five months on from receiving medical clearance to return to football after a life-threatening accident.

Kylian Mbappe is set to be assessed after being forced off during Real Madrid’s La Liga victory over Alaves on Tuesday with a muscular injury.

The bidding process for the 2027 men’s Champions League final will be re-opened after UEFA opted not to assign it to Milan’s San Siro due to a lack of clarity over the stadium’s refurbishment plans.

A Crystal Palace supporters’ group has called on the club to review their season ticket policy after fans faced significant issues trying to obtain physical cards.

DAILY MIRROR

Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor will each be back on refereeing duties in Week 6 of the Premier League campaign.

Former Manchester United forward Bebe revealed that leaving Old Trafford was the best moment of his life.

Former Premier League winger Andros Townsend has suggested Trent Alexander-Arnold will find a summer move to Real Madrid tough to turn down.

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their title battle with Manchester City after a new supercomputer predicted the rest of the season with Rodri absent.

Mark Halsey is stunned that Erling Haaland has avoided retrospective punishment from the authorities following the bad-blooded clash between Manchester City and Arsenal.

DAILY EXPRESS

Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell have held clear-the-air talks to move on from a frustrating summer transfer window at Newcastle United, according to reports.

Donny van de Beek ended his disastrous four-year Manchester United career in the summer by moving to Girona, but his fortunes don’t appear to have improved at the La Liga club, with reports claiming he has encountered problems adapting to life in Spain.

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro is reportedly determined to return to full fitness ahead of his side’s December trip to Arsenal.

Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper David James has expressed his disappointment over Andre Onana’s performance at Manchester United since his £47m move from Inter Milan.

THE SUN

Arsenal chief executive Tim Lewis refused to shake hands with Manchester City’s top brass after Sunday’s dramatic game at the Etihad.

Callum Wilson is a target for Fulham and Brentford in January.

Tottenham have made peace with club legend David Pleat following a spat over his new autobiography.

Barcelona chiefs are mulling over a shock move for recently retired goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, according to reports.

EVENING STANDARD

Kieran Trippier is “desperate” to move on from Newcastle United – and three top European clubs are racing to sign the defender.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has defended the decision to scrap new senior season tickets from next season, saying the club’s “whole financing model will come into question” if they do not cut down on the number of concessions at the stadium.

THE INDEPENDENT

A number of European national associations have written to Uefa asserting their stance that Aleksander Ceferin stay on as president after 2027, with as many as 35 of 55 known to be willing to support him.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

The Football Association will take action following the “flagrant” crackdown on free speech that saw Telegraph Sport’s Chief Sports Writer banned from Wembley for Anthony Joshua’s stunning defeat by Daniel Dubois.

A 99-year-old actress has promised to “chain myself to the grounds” if Wimbledon’s controversial expansion goes ahead.

Derby County are seeking new investors to boost their spending power after returning to the Championship.

Reading have pulled their under-21s out of a newly-created competition by the Premier League in another alarming development at the crisis-hit club.

SCOTTISH SUN

Malmo lit the blue touchpaper ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Rangers with the words: ‘We’ve Missed You’.

Derek McInnes has revealed he’s reached out to sacked Hearts boss Stevie Naismith and told him: You’ll be back.

Former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has taken a broad swipe at the allegations made against him following his time in charge at Ibrox. He also claimed that he was told by HMRC that they should have done a deal with the club to avoid it going into administration.