The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…

MANCHESTER CITY

Barrister Paul Gilroy KC has explained how Manchester City players could be entitled to rip up their contracts following the guilty verdict that has been given – Daily Mirror

Manchester City’s rivals could join forces in a class action as clubs queue up to sue after the independent commission’s guilty verdict – Daily Mirror

Manchester City’s commercial growth slowed significantly after the Premier League began its investigation in 2018 – The Times

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Cristiano Ronaldo could be facing a ban of up to six months from the Portugal national team after sensationally storming out of the team’s training camp amid a row with manager Jorge Jesus – Daily Mail

TRANSFERS

Real Madrid are keen on signing former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen – Bild

Bournemouth sources say they will only entertain negotiations for Alex Scott after they have established themselves in the Premier League once again this season – adding they do not intend on selling their star midfielder in January – Daily Mail

Manchester United’s wantaway wonderkid JJ Gabriel has been training privately in Barcelona despite the Spanish champions insisting they are not pursuing him – Daily Mail

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Jurgen Klopp has reacted with disgust to a social media debate questioning whether the Germany team he is in the process of forming are “white enough” – The Guardian

England’s away match against Croatia on Saturday is set to be played in a stadium that is about three-quarters full – even though the match is supposed to take place behind closed doors as a punishment for racism – The Times

EFL

Birmingham have expressed an interest in hiring former Manchester United transfer chief John Murtough as director of football – Daily Mail

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

The US is poised to host the first Women’s Club World Cup in January 2028, becoming the latest in a series of major FIFA tournaments staged in North America – The Guardian

TENNIS

All combined WTA 1000 tournaments will award women equal prize ⁠money to the men from 2027 – The Guardian