The biggest stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers include Arsenal’s use of NASA technology, Liverpool’s owners holding talks over Formula 1 and an early return to training for Tottenham Hotspur forward Xavi Simons.
Premier League
Mikel Arteta has enlisted NASA in an attempt to address Arsenal’s injury problems, with Google and Apple also involved in the effort, according to the Daily Mail.
Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Liverpool, have held discussions about buying a majority stake in the Cadillac Formula 1 team, reports The Sun.
Xavi Simons is expected to resume training with his Spurs team-mates later this month, The Times says. The Netherlands international would be returning around two months earlier than initially anticipated after rupturing his ACL in April.
Manchester United
Matheus Cunha will not face any additional punishment after returning to the pitch at the end of Manchester United’s Champions League victory over Roma, despite having been sent off earlier in the match, reports the Daily Mail.
Real Madrid have stepped up their interest in teenager JJ Gabriel as they seek to secure his signature in January, according to the Daily Telegraph. The club also intends to place him on a fast-track route towards its first-team squad.
Paul Scholes believes David Beckham could eventually take over at Manchester United after describing Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s time at the club as “depressing”, The Sun reports.
Manchester United have invited 100 special guests to Old Trafford this weekend to mark the 40th anniversary of Sir Alex Ferguson’s arrival at the club, says The Times.
Other sports
LIV Golf’s planned relaunch appears close to collapsing after BC Partners Credit decided to withdraw its $300m backing for a new version of the league, according to the Daily Mail.
England bowler Ollie Robinson is an unexpected winter transfer target for Nottinghamshire, in a move that would see him join up with Test team-mate Josh Tongue, the newspaper adds.
The Six Nations and SANZAAR unions have reached an agreement to sell all their media rights and commercial deals collectively for the first time. The Guardian reports that the arrangement will operate under a new revenue-sharing model.
