Rumours Fact and fiction from the Sunday papers

That was the weekend that was

Bruce Rioch's reaction to Arsenal's disappointing season is a pounds 3m bid for Leeds' 31-year-old schemer, Gary McAllister, according to The People. However, the Yorkshire club, their story says, already have a pounds 3.5m offer from Rangers for the Scotland captain and would want Arsenal to go to pounds 4m.

A similar sum will be wanted by Manchester City, the News of the World suggests, if Newcastle or Blackburn are to turn their interest in Garry Flitcroft into something more concrete.

The People also report that Queen's Park Rangers, impressed with Derby's success, want Jim Smith back as their manager in place of Ray Wilkins, and that Mike Walker could be re-installed as Norwich boss if rebel director Jim Jones manages to oust chairman Robert Chase.

Meanwhile, according to the same paper, Chelsea, having been put off by Gianluca Vialli's wage demands, are chasing Swedish international Martin Dahlin, whose contract at Borussia Monchengladbach ends in the summer.

Despite all indications to the contrary, the News of the World claims that the Football Association are "secretly drawing up a sensational plan to save Terry Venables' England job."