The top stories making Thursday's back pages...

The Sun: Real Madrid and Barcelona are preparing £50m bids for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale.


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Also: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists his squad are still behind him after reports of rows and splits in the dressing room.

And: Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe could make an earlier-than-expected return to action against Arsenal on November 20th.

Plus: Everton captain Phil Neville was the world's third most popular topic on social networking site Twitter last night, with the player being talked about more than President Barack Obama or America's mid-term elections.


Daily Mirror: Inter Milan will make a move for Tottenham's Gareth Bale after he tormented them for the second time in a fortnight in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Also: Marek Hamsik claims Manchester United scouts will watch him when he plays for Napoli against Liverpool in the Europa League tonight.

And: Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has warned new director of football strategy Damien Comolli that he has the final say on transfers and team selection at the club.

Plus: West Ham are set to lose defender Matthew Upson on a free transfer next summer...Hammers co-owner David Gold says that the club's position at bottom of the Premier League is making him depressed and that his ultimate aim is still to win the title...

Tottenham are monitoring French striker Nolan Roux.


Daily Mail: Aston Villa and Liverpool are set to battle to sign Preston's £4m-rated defender Sean St Ledger.

Also: The Edenbridge Bonfire Society's annual parade and display on Saturday night will feature a 49ft figure of Wayne Rooney as its centrepiece.


Daily Express: Joey Barton insists he is not expecting to be recalled to the England fold despite calls for the midfielder to win a place in Fabio Capello's squad.