RUMOURS

Football fact and fiction from the sunday papers

The unexpected hitch in Andrei Kanchelskis's move to Everton could be just as well for Manchester United. The People reports that Ryan Giggs has had a secret back scan, plus tests on his hip. The Welsh international has not played since April and is still nowhere near fitness - and apparently United have been unable to identify the cause of his injury problems.

The People also suggests that Paul Merson is top of Alex Ferguson's shopping list, as the Old Trafford manager prepares to wrest the championship trophy away from Ewood Park. Merson is allegedly unsure of his future at Highbury - especially if Arsenal's new manager Bruce Rioch succeeds in tempting the Republic of Ireland international Jason McAteer away from his former club, Bolton Wanderers.

Manchester City, whose injury crisis has left them with a shortage of goalkeepers, are chasing Crystal Palace's Nigel Martyn (People).

Ronny Rosenthal, the Israeli striker who is out of contract at Tottenham, is a target for Derby (News of the World), which also says that Derby are prepared to offer Marco Gabbiadini in part-exchange for the Welsh international defender Kit Symons.

The Sunday Express reports that Tottenham may be joining Nottingham Forest in raiding Italy's Serie A for new recruits. Gerry Francis has been interested to hear that the 27-year-old Milan midfielder, Paolo Di Canio, apparently wants to play in the Premiership.

Guy Whittingham, the experienced striker who is on the fringes of the first team at Sheffield Wednesday, is a transfer target for Derby, Watford and one of his former clubs, Portsmouth (Sunday Express).

Celtic's summer purchasing spree is not yet over, according to Scotland on Sunday. The Parkhead club are finalising a deal to sign the Falkirk captain, John Hughes, a 30-year-old central defender formerly with Swansea.