The top stories making Friday’s back pages in the UK…
The Sun: Lionel Messi is open to a move to Manchester City that could see him paid an astonishing £800,000-a-week.
Also: Manchester City chiefs know that signing Lionel Messi would greatly improve their chances of making Pep Guardiola their next boss — given the pair’s incredible success together at the Camp Nou.
And: Daniel Sturridge is back on the Kop crock list after he pulled out of his comeback game.
Daily Mirror: Chelsea are ready to splash £40million in January bids for Jamie Vardy and Mousa Dembele.
Also: In typical fashion, Jurgen Klopp had one enigmatic word to describe Liverpool’s European progress: “Cool”.
And: Toon legend Kevin Keegan has delivered a damning verdict on Newcastle after claiming the club is “going nowhere.”
Daily Star: Willy Caballero has vowed to prove he is good enough to replace Joe Hart – and help Manchester City end their mini-slump.
Also: Steve McClaren has warned Newcastle’s board he can’t guarantee Premier League survival unless there’s a major shift in the club’s transfer policy.
And: Louis van Gaal might be left with no choice but to add a tin hat to his Christmas wish-list as the festive season approaches.
Plus: Daniel Sturridge’s injury jinx struck again as Liverpool had to battle into the last 32 of the Europa League without him.
Daily Mail: Chelsea are prepared to launch a full-scale attempt to land England hotshot Harry Kane next summer.
Also: Jermain Defoe has handed Sunderland a boost in their fight for survival after being passed fit for this weekend’s visit of Stoke.
Daily Express: Jurgen Klopp is proving himself a quick learner. Having said sorry for questioning why some supporters leave Anfield early, he ensured Liverpool gave them a reason to stay.
Also: Jack Grealish has been told to grow up after being axed from Aston Villa’s squad.
And: Leighton Baines has been told he has a fight on his hands to regain Everton’s left-back role from teenager Brendan Galloway.
Metro: Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Dutch prodigy Thomas Buitink ahead of a potential transfer move, according to reports.
Daily Telegraph: Tottenham Hotspur remain certain that they will repel any bids next year from Chelsea or Manchester United for Harry Kane.
The Times: Having been signed because Liverpool could no longer rely on the fitness of Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke made light of his fellow striker’s latest injury absence by firing Liverpool into the Europa League round of 32.
Also: Tottenham Hotspur’s past two trips have taken them four miles across north London and 2,465 miles to the edge of Asia, but distances are all the same to Harry Kane, who scored in both matches, the second of those goals guiding his club into the Europa League knockout phase last night.
The Guardian: Fabricio Coloccini will be offered a final chance to prove he remains the right man to captain Newcastle United when Steve McClaren’s side visit Crystal Palace on Saturday.
