They don't mess around these Premier League managers.

If 09:00 GMT is good enough for double maths, it is good enough for a load of tired cliches and soundbites.

We are awaiting the start of news conferences at Arsenal, Norwich and West Brom.

All are expected to get under way any minute now...

Image source, Getty Images

There is a morsel of interesting transfer gossip from over the Channel. 

British journalist Gavin Mortimer has been hacking through French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique and reports that it believes that Sonny Bill Williams fancies another stint at Toulon next season.

Wales centre Scott Williams will stay with Scarlets until 2018 after signing a new deal, ending speculation over his future.

Williams, 25, had been in line for a fresh national dual contract in which the Welsh Rugby Union would pay 60% of his wages.

But the WRU withdrew their offer amid an accusation of a bidding war among Wales' regions over Williams.

Scarlet clearly could not wait to announce the news - posting a tweet before 06:00 GMT this morning.

Image source, Getty

Tis the season to be jolly.

Not if you are a Manchester United player though. 

According to the Daily Mail, external, the squad, led by captain Wayne Rooney, canned plans to go out for a Christmas party in Manchester on Sunday night because they "did not want to be seen out celebrating at a difficult time for the club."

Image source, The Age

Down Under in Australia, it is the massive 449-run partnership between Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh on day two of the Test against the West Indies in Hobart that is capturing the headlines.

The pair fell just two short of matching Australia's record Test partnership, set when Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford put on 451 together at the Oval in the 1934 Ashes series.

Australia declared on 583-4 and the West Indies faltered to 207-6 by the end of play. 

Image source, Sport

Over in Spain, Barcelona-based sports daily Sport, external claims that Juventus striker Paulo Dybala would prefer a move to Barcelona over Real Madrid as he wants to play alongside compatriot Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp.

Image source, The Sun

The Sun have two big calls on the Premier League managerial merry-go-round. They claim that Manchester United number two Ryan Giggscould be tempted back to his native Wales, external to take charge of Swansea, while Jose Mourinho could be offered the chance to return to former club Real Madrid., external

Image source, Times

This is more like it.

The Times, external claim that Manchester United have put in "considerable groundwork" on deals to bring Real Madrid kingpin Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, sign his Bernabeu team-mate Gareth Bale and lure Brazilian attacker Neymar from Barcelona.

Oh, and "they are continuing to monitor developments with Robert Lewandowski, the prolific Bayern Munich striker, and Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur."

Big talk.

Image source, Daily Star

Manchester United have the best defensive record in the Premier League - having conceded 10 goals - but only the eighth best attacking - with 20 goals scored.

So, they are apparently going to shell out £50m on a centre-back in the summer.

Everton'sJohn Stonestops their list of end-of-season targetsaccording to the Daily Star., external

Want something to listen to to liven up your Friday morning commute? 

There are three podcasts from Thursday night's 5 live Sport available to download now: 

"This won't get sorted by July"

French journalist Julien Laurens confirms it is very unlikely Karim Benzema will play at Euro 2016.

There's plenty more on that and more in the 5 live Football Daily. 

Image source, Getty Images

As if that wasn't enough football for you, you can also listen to the Managers' Question Time special including West Brom manager Tony Pulis and Burnley boss Sean Dyche in front of a live audience. 

Pulis says that England is the greatest country in the world for professional football. Is it? 

Image source, BBC Sport

Could Geraint Thomas one day win the Tour de France? 

An in-depth interview with Team Sky's Welsh rider, who describes himself as 'a little fat boy inside'. 

Could he become the third Brit to wear the yellow jersey in Paris? 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Daily Mail

The Daily Mail, external lead with a report that Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney could get a lucrative offer to finish his career in China.

The 30-year-old, who still has three years to run on his Old Trafford contract, will apparently be offered £25m a season to reunite with former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson at SIPG Shanghai in the Chinese Super League.

Image source, Getty Images

Good morning and welcome to Sportsday. 

We have a packed day of Premier League press conferences with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal doubtlessly getting spiky, Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger reflecting on his side's Champions League great escape and Jose Mourinho on his side's flat-lining title defence.

There is also a look ahead to Saturday's Euro 2016 draw, the announcement of the BBC African Footballer of the Year and more reaction to the ECB's handling of Somerset bowler Craig Overton's disciplinary case.

But first, a look at the morning newspapers.