What the back pages say: United and Chelsea chase Ribery, Villa and Ibrahimovic, no over-26s at Old

17 June 2009 07:35
DAILY MAIL The Lions spoke of their "disgust" last night at the foul tactics of their warm-up opponents just four days before Saturday's opening Test against South Africa. Furious Lions hit back as final warm-up game is marred by foul tactics Also...Just when Andy Murray's Wimbledon chances were being talked up, Rafael Nadal yesterday took his first steps onto a grass court this year and said: "I feel well." Bad news for Murray - here comes Nadal Spain's David Villa New season, new shirt? Chelsea and Manchester United both want David Villa THE SUN Manchester United and Chelsea have made official bids to sign Franck Ribery. Also...Michael Owen's Premier League commitment was called into question by last night by Wigan chief Dave Whelan. THE MIRROR Tottenham supremo Daniel Levy has had talks with Real Madrid over a stunning £36million swoop for Arjen Robben, Gabriel Heinze and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Also...Alan Shearer could be installed as Newcastle boss by the end of this week as takeover talks reach a climax in the next 48 hours. DAILY STAR Manchester United and Chelsea have a chance of landing £45million David Villa after his move to Real Madrid stalled last night. Also...Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is considering quitting football at the end of his existing Anfield contract. DAILY EXPRESS Lions players vented their fury after they were subjected to a series of dangerous tackles in yesterday's 20-8 victory over Southern Kings. Also...Chelsea were last night preparing to join the hunt for £30million-rated Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. THE GUARDIAN Manchester United have made a decision not to sign any players aged 26 or above for large transfer fees because of new financial stipulations that have been put in place at Old Trafford to shape the club's recruitment policy. Also...Sir Trevor Brooking will be quizzed about his time as chairman of Sport England after it was revealed yesterday that almost £20million had disappeared through a secret account belonging to the grassroots funding quango. THE INDEPENDENT Ian McGeechan must have been sorely tempted to let fly at some of the more blood-curdling tackles he witnessed from the Southern Kings yesterday as his British and Irish Lions chiselled out a sixth victory in as many matches on their tour of South Africa. Also...England's coach last night put an end to the wild speculation surrounding Andrew Flintoff's place in the Test side. THE TIMES With only six days before the start of the Wimbledon Championships, men's tennis was embroiled in fresh gambling revelations last night. Also...The acrimony during the match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was still evident after the final whistle. DAILY TELEGRAPH The Lions headed back to Durban last night to prepare for the first Test against the Springboks on Saturday buoyed by heading into a series with an unbeaten record for the first time since 1989, but badly bruised after an ill-tempered 20-8 victory over the Southern Kings. Also...If John McEnroe used to get into people's faces, Andy Murray is getting into players' heads.

Source: Daily_Mail