Papers: Chelsea could sell Gusto to pave way for Palestra deal

The top stories and transfer rumours from Wednesday's newspapers...

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea are expected to complete the signing of Italy right back Marco Palestra in the next 24 hours and could sell Malo Gusto to Manchester City to make room for the youngster - The Times

Aston Villa are in talks to sign Flamengo full-back Emerson Royal - The Athletic

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Arsenal have ruled out a summer move for Julian Alvarez after learning the Atletico Madrid star only wants a move to Barcelona - The Metro

Tottenham have held positive talks with West Ham over the prospective £85m signing of Mateus Fernandes, as they aim to beat Manchester United to the Portuguese midfielder's signature - The Independent

Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to sanction Aurelien Tchouameni's departure as Manchester United remain linked with a swoop for the France international - Daily Mirror

New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has been told not to sign any players from his former club Bournemouth - Daily Mirror

WORLD CUP

French national team coach Didier Deschamps is flying back to France to attend his mother's funeral and will miss the team's final World Cup Group I match against Norway, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday - The Independent

FIFA wants to change the rules on penalty shoot-outs for the knockout rounds at this World Cup so that there is only one coin toss, with teams choosing either to take the first spot kick or to take them in front of their own fans - The Times

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the hydration breaks being used at the World Cup, calling them "purely a sporting matter" and insisting world soccer's governing body gains "absolutely nothing" from them financially - The Athletic

Jude Bellingham was accused of an X-rated outburst by Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz following England's disappointing 0-0 draw with his side in Boston - Daily Mail

Declan Rice left the Boston Stadium with heavy strapping on his left calf and is now a fitness concern ahead of England's game against Panama on Saturday - Daily Mail

SCOTLAND

Steve Clarke has revealed Scotland have planned for the possibility of a sizable weather delay in the World Cup showdown with Brazil - The Scottish Sun

Rangers are reportedly closing in on Ross McCrorie - The Scottish Sun

Daizen Maeda has offered Celtic fans fresh hope of staying in Glasgow - The Scottish Sun

WORLD FOOTBALL

Ex-Lyon and Saint-Etienne footballer Kenzo Kies, 21, has been declared as brain dead following an incident in the Rhone River - Daily Star