Paper round

De Rossi, who took a penalty in the 2006 World Cup final shoot-out against France, is disillusioned with life at his current club and the Manchester United boss has resolved to launch an £18 million bid for the 27-year-old between now and the end of the season.

Ferguson's interest in Aston Villa midfielder Ashley Young is also well known, but he faces stiff competition for the England star.

Young is seen by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish as a key part of his rebuilding plans for the Anfield club in the summer.

The Times say that Young tops a wish-list full of Brits for Dalglish that includes Bolton defender Gary Cahill, Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam and fresh England call-up Matt Jarvis of Wolves.

Villa are reluctant to part with a key asset, but it would leave them the funds to tempt Manchester City reserve goalkeeper Shay Given to Villa Park (Star).

If the battle for Young's £20m signature with old foe Dalglish sounds like just the sort of thing to get Ferguson's blood boiling, think again - he could be calming down, according to the Daily Mail.

After six years of snubbing the BBC, the paper reports that Fergie is ready to meet BBC director general Mark Thompson and discuss talking on camera to the channel once again.

Elsewhere in the papers, troubled Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has revealed that his role model in the game is Brazilian star Ronaldo, reports the Daily Mirror.

City fans will be hoping that it is the lengthy list of trophies which Balotelli admires rather than the numerous controversies in his career.

In transfer news Chelsea are keen on 21-year-old Palermo sensation Javier Pastore (Mirror). The Argentine international could set Roman Abramovich back as much as £30m, although the Italian club are said to be holding out for twice that sum.

Liverpool are not the only suitors for Gary Cahill - according to the Mail Arsenal are still in contention for his signature, and if Cahill can be tempted abroad then Bayern Munich are also interested.

Another bubbling transfer chase is for starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - the Mail report that Tottenham are the latest club to join the race for the 17-year-old prospect.

And finally, Leicester are on the verge of making a move for Seedorf. But before fans hail Sven-Goran Eriksson's remarkable contacts, this is not the Milan and Dutch legend Clarence - but his cousin Stefano.

Stefano - currently playing for Monza, the club cousin Clarence co-owns - could interest the Foxes and Leeds United, and would be available for 450,000 euros.