Sir Alex Ferguson has put the question of his retirement date firmly on the backburner since 2002 but his son might just have blown his cover. Just about every publication possible has picked up the words of son Darren. The Telegraph is not alone in reporting his belief that he will retire after next season.

The same paper carries a line that Emmanuel Adebayor is back in AC Milan's sights.

In the absence of any football this week the rumour mill is in full swing. Barcelona however are trying their best to ward off any links with their stars. Lionel Messi is not for sale, say The Sun. And Thierry Henry, who looks a more plausible option for Manchester City is set to be offered a new deal by the Catalan club, says the same paper.

Liverpool's Spanish Rafa-lution could be continuing if they add David Silva to their ranks. Valencia want to sell their player abroad. That's in plenty of papers and looks highly likely if Liverpool have the cash to spend.

That cash may be raised by Tom Hicks' flogging of his 50% share in the club. He's supposed to have issued Merrill Lynch with instructions to find a buyer. In The Sun.

West Ham meanwhile, will continue their taste for Italian players and coaches with a £9m move for Atalanta striker Sergio Floccari if the Daily Mirror is to be believed. That would be a record down Upton Par.

As reported yesterday on Soccernet, Steven Defour is heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa. The Standard Liege star is looking like he's likely to link up with Martin O'Neill.

Where else to but to end it like Beckham. He's heavily quoted as saying that he's planning to play until he's 50. At the same time club colleague Paolo Maldini, who's not far off achieving that target, has also been blowing cover - Darren-style - by saying Becks will not be going back to LA Galaxy. In the Mirror, that is.