From the Back Pages, July 17: John Scales warns Liverpool against ‘doing a Tottenham’ with Luis Suarez cash
Luis Suarez joins Barcelona: Liverpool striker is ‘100%’ a Barcelona player, says director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta ahead of official £75m move. (The Independent)
Louis van Gaal will show his ruthless streak now he has his feet under the table as Manchester United boss - with a major clear-out of the club’s dead wood. As many as TEN players are facing the axe under the Dutchman, who is determined to overhaul the squad that fared so disastrously under sacked boss David Moyes last season. (The Mirror)
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Hide AdChelsea were encouraged to battle for the signature of Sami Khedira on Wednesday night as his agent claimed no deal had yet been struck with Arsenal. (Daily Mail)
Gary Ballance has been “reminded of his responsibilities” by the England coach, Peter Moores, after photographs emerged of him dancing topless – and indisputably legless – in a Nottingham nightclub on Sunday after the completion of the Trent Bridge Test against India. (The Guardian)
Alastair Cook has accused India of trying to force James Anderson out of the Test series, but urged his leading bowler not to tone down his act when the second match begins amid growing acrimony at Lord’s today. (The Times)
The two areas of prime fascination at this 143rd Open appear to be where Tiger Woods will finish and who will win. And it says much about the tone of the narrative that these issues seem utterly distinct. (The Telegraph)