Gossip column: Bale, Morata, Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Laporte, Vardy, Batshuayi

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Manchester United are confident of signing Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, 26, for a world-record £94.6m fee. (El Confidencial, via Daily Star), external

Paris St-Germain are considering activating 24-year-old Barcelona and Brazil forward Neymar's £153m release clause. (Daily Mail), external

Juventus striker Alvaro Morata, 23, will turn down a move to Old Trafford if Manchester United sign Sweden international Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 34. (Onda Cero, via Gazzetta dello Sport), external

But Ibrahimovic's potential move to United looks to be on hold after Sweden manager Erik Hamren said the striker will not be flying to England. (Goteborgs-Posten, Guardian), external

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince believes new manager Jose Mourinho and Ibrahimovic would be a match made in heaven. (Manchester Evening News), external

Image source, @sun
Image caption,

The Sun leads on Gareth Bale's message to England

Manchester City want to tie up a deal for 22-year-old Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte in the next few days. (Marca), external

England striker Jamie Vardy's move to Arsenal from Premier League champions Leicester City is off after the 29-year-old turned down a medical. (Talksport), external

Belgium and Marseille forward Michy Batshuayi, 22, wants a £100,000-per-week contract to join Tottenham Hotspur. (Daily Mirror), external

Juventus are favourites to beat Everton to the signing of Southampton and Italy forward Graziano Pelle, 30. (Sportitalia, via Talksport), external

Liverpool are considering a move for 22-year-old Lille midfielder Sofiane Boufal. (Foot Mercato, via Daily Express), external

West Brom have denied receiving any formal offers for 22-year-old striker Saido Berahino, despite interest from Watford. (Express and Star), external

Everton remain interested in signing Netherlands and Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, 27, who had attracted the interest of former manager Roberto Martinez last season.(Daily Mirror), external

Image source, @DailyStar
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England's Euro 2016 opener against Russia is the Daily Star's focus

A release clause in Arsenal target Ricardo Rodriguez's contract is now active, according to the 23-year-old Wolfsburg defender's agent. (TMW Radio, via Daily Express), external

Crystal Palace will have to double their £5m offer for defender Lewis Dunk if they want to sign the 24-year-old from Brighton. (Daily Mirror), external

Sunderland will accept a fee of around £2m for midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini with a number of Serie A clubs hoping to sign the 31-year-old Italy international. (Calcio Mercato, via Talksport), external

Arsenal and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil, 27, says England are one of the favourites to win Euro 2016. (Evening Standard), external

Former England midfielder Steven Gerrard, 36, has told Roy Hodgson to be ruthless with his team selection, but says the Three Lions sides he played in should not be deemed a "failure". (Daily Telegraph), external

England captain Wayne Rooney, 30, has said he is better than ever, before his team's Euro 2016 opener against Russia on Saturday. (Daily Mail), external

Wales manager Chris Coleman has urged his side to rediscover their nasty streak if they wish to mark their first appearance in a major finals in 58 years with victory over Slovakia on Saturday. (Daily Express), external

Swansea City are planning to open talks with 26-year-old midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson over a new long-term contract at the Liberty Stadium. (South Wales Evening Post), external

Aston Villa manager Roberto di Matteo will not look to replace goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 31, with West Brom's Boaz Myhill, 33. (Birmingham Mail), external

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry says he is staggered that Jamie Vardy is hesitating over a move from champions Leicester to the Gunners. (BBC Radio 5 live)

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is determined to persuade midfielder Moussa Sissoko, 26, to stay at the Championship club. (Newcastle Chronicle), external

The best of social media

Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw, who is missing Euro 2016 through injury, had this message, external for his Three Lions team-mates: "Good luck to the lads tomorrow!! We'll all be behind you."

Image source, @rbarkley20
Image caption,

Ross Barkley and his England team-mates made their way to Marseille for their Euro 2016 opener

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley got a message of support from Toffees team-mate Bryan Oviedo. "Good luck bro #EvertonFamily," he posted on Twitter., external

Watford forward Troy Deeney will not be featuring at Euro 2016, but the 27-year-old is not using that as an excuse to rest up this summer, tweeting:, external "Early morning session done #AlwaysWorking"

Image source, @t_deeney
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Troy Deeney shared this picture of his early morning gym routine

Former West Ham, Middlesbrough and Norwich midfielder Gary O'Neil, now at Bristol City, just can't pick a winner:, external "Looking forward to the #Euro2016 openers. Wide open tournament this time. No standout teams for me!"

Dimitri Payet's winner for France against Romania got the football world talking...

Image source, @hazardeden10
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Chelsea's Eden Hazard gave Payet a round of applause

Image source, @aaronlennon12
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Everton's Aaron Lennon couldn't believe what he had seen

Image source, @jackgrealish1
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Aston Villa's Jack Grealish is an admirer of the France midfielder

Image source, @muniesa92
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Stoke defender Marc Muniesa was impressed

Image source, @michuoviedo
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The goal prompted former Swansea striker Michu to try his best French

And finally

Is Sergio Ramos considering a career change? Spain team-mate Alvaro Morata let Ramos loose on his hair, with the Real Madrid defender posting a video of his work on Instagram, adding:, external "Making my debut as a hairdresser with @AlvaroMorata. Looks good, doesn't it?"

Russia defender Vasili Berezutski has refused to see the funny side of England mascot Leo the Lion, dismissing the toy as a "little object". (Daily Telegraph), external

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