7th March, 2016
Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez, 25, is the number one target for Barcelona this summer, with the Spanish side lining up a £15m bid. (Sun)
Manchester City are planning to make Everton’s 21-year-old defender John Stones and Athletic Bilbao centre-back Aymeric Laporte, also 21, the first two signings of Pep Guardiola’s forthcoming reign as manager. (Sun)
Steve McClaren, 54, is expecting to be sacked from his role as Newcastle manager in the next 24 hours. (Daily Star)
Former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes and ex-Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez are candidates to replace McClaren.(Guardian)
Ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and former Leicester manager Nigel Pearson are also in the frame to succeed McClaren at St James’ Park.(Daily Telegraph)
Former England boss McClaren has pleaded with an aide of Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, not to be sacked. (Times – subscription required)
Manager Remi Garde is likely to be sacked for failing to turn around Aston Villa’s disastrous campaign – but he could beat the Midlands club to the punch by resigning first. (Daily Express)
Manchester United are lining up a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s 26-year-old defender Omer Toprak. (Kicker – in German)
Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira won his first game as a first-team manager, leading New York City to a 4-3 away victory against Chicago Fire.(MLS)
Chelsea defender John Terry will miss Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg at home to Paris St-Germain because of a hamstring injury.(Daily Mirror)
Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, 29, will be a summer transfer target for Chelsea if Antonio Conte is appointed Blues boss at the end of the season.(Daily Mail)