"The Daily Mirror reports that Russian big-spenders Anzhi Makhachkala will offer the Blues £45m for the 28-year-old, while the Daily Star claims that it is Roma - now backed by American money - who will come in for the player.

Roman Abramovich doesn't want to sell the player if he can avoid it, however: he still has faith that the Spain international will come good despite an awful 14 months at Stamford Bridge.

On top of that, the Russian oil billionaire clearly doesn't need the money (if you've been anywhere near a petrol station recently you'll know why), but should Chelsea miss out on a spot in the Champions League then they will be forced to offload the player so as not to fall foul of the UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Mirror reports that missing a Champions League spot would cost Chelsea £30m, and without selling a big-name player they will have no chance of meeting the limit on losses.

How all that tallies with The Sun's report that the Blues want to spend £35m on Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria we're not entirely sure; but the fact that the Daily Telegraph also reports that Torres could go (citing quotes from the player's agent), while the Daily Express says Paris St Germain want Ashley Cole, then anything could happen.

Friday's other big story is that Tottenham have decided who they want to succeed Harry Redknapp as manager.

The Daily Express and The Sun both report (and both claim 'exclusives' on) the story that Swansea manager Brendan Rogers is Daniel Levy's number one choice if and when the FA finally get around to appointing Redknapp. Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klinsmann have both been written off, the Express claims (Mourinho is too expensive at £11m a year, while Klinsmann is apparently unwilling to leave the USA even for Tottenham) leaving Rogers in the frame thanks to his ability to get a string of journeymen to mid-table in the Premier League while still playing attractive football."
Source: Paper Round: Something in the air for Nando