LIVERPOOL’s Andy Carroll looks one step closer to making a sensational return to Newcastle United, less than 12 months after leaving the club.

This is according to both the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph, who report that the striker wants to return to the Sports Direct Arena, although the Guardian suggests that it will take �20million bid for him to leave Anfield.

Chelsea’s pursuit of signing long-time target Edinson Cavani for �35million has stalled, as the Napoli striker wants wages of �150,000 a week (Daily Express).

West Ham United have declared their interest in Manchester United’s want-away striker Dimitar Berbatov, reports the Daily Mail. The 31-year-old said on his website yesterday that it would be “better for everyone” if he leaves the club (BBC Sport).

Berbatov’s former club Tottenham Hotspur are chasing Malaga striker Jose Salomon Rondon, who has scored 27 goals in the last two seasons in La Liga (Daily Mail). The club are still yet to secure their target Emmanuel Adebayor on a permanent deal, as the striker returns to training at Manchester City this week (The Sun).

Meanwhile, Spurs local rivals Arsenal are looking to sign midfielder Paulinho from Brazilian club Corinthians (The Times). The 23-year-old has previously been linked to Inter Milan (Sky Sports)

The Gunners are also interested in Schalke’s 21-year-old midfielder Lewis Holtby, who is being lined up as a potential replacement for winger Theo Walcott, according to the Daily Mirror. The German international, who has an English father, has already been linked to several Premier League clubs this summer.

In the Championship, newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday are battling with Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest to take QPR’s Joey Barton on loan for the season (Daily Mail).

Off the pitch, former England manager Glenn Hoddle and Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson are the two favourites to become the new Nottingham Forest manager, after Mick McCarthy yesterday ruled himself out of the running to take over at the City Ground. (Daily Express).