Football: That was the weekend that was

Rumours: Fact and fiction from the Sunday papers.

Here's a name the bookmakers forgot to include among their list of potential candidates for the Liverpool manager's job should the Anfield board decide Roy Evans can take them no further: the former Luton player Raddy Antic.

The Yugoslav has somewhat exceeded his reputation as a player since he turned to coaching. His success with Atletico Madrid has apparently caught the attention of Italy's Sampdoria and Turkey's Fenerbahce but the Mirror reports that sources in Spain believe Liverpool have already lined him up to succeed Evans.

The People, meanwhile, says only qualification for the Champions' League can save Evans, reporting also that Liverpool want Steve McManaman to make up his mind about his future before the World Cup. Evans will make a move for Manchester City's Georgi Kinkladze if the England ace decides to leave Anfield.

The Mail on Sunday, however, says new City manager Joe Royle is talking to Everton about Kinkladze with a view to a cash-plus-players deal involving Dave Watson, Paul Gerrard and Tony Grant.

On the other hand, Everton manager Howard Kendall may instead go for Mark Draper, whom the People says is unhappy at Aston Villa, suggesting manager Brian Little would be happy to sell his pounds 4m-rated midfield player rather than offer him a new contract. Little may spend pounds 500,000 on the Bradford City defender Eddie Youds.

The Mirror says Arsenal are at the head of the queue for French international Robert Pires, valued at pounds 6m by Metz, but face competition from Newcastle. The News of the World suggests they may offload Remi Garde while the Mail on Sunday reports that Rangers are considering a move for Tony Adams.

The Premiership could acquire another Italian, according to the People, who say Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham are considering bids for the Napoli striker Igor Protti.