Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United and not Arsenal because of the cost of building the Emirates stadium meant they could not afford him, according to a new biography of the Portuguese superstar’s agent, Jorge Mendes – (Daily Telegraph)
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 21, has dropped a hint he could be heading for Real Madrid rather than Manchester United or Chelsea by revealing he is learning Spanish – (Daily Express)
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted player power forced him to change his attacking football philosophy for a more tactical game in last week’s impressive victory at Manchester City – (Daily Mirror)
Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey, 37, returning to Anfield for the FA Cup fourth-round tie with Bolton, says he was surprised by Steven Gerrard’s decision to leave in the summer and feels the former England captain “probably had another year or two in the Premier League.” – (Daily Telegraph)
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has fined winger Jack Grealish, 19, for posting a message on Twitter reading: “Can’t wait to be happy playing football again,” alongside a photo of himself smiling while on loan at Notts County last season – (Daily Mail)