Maybe it was a combination of the Hong Kong rain and Jan Vertonghen's injury, but André Villas-Boas looked suitably p****d off at more questions about Gareth Bale on Wednesday.
Bale, who didn't play against Sunderland in the Barclays Asia Trophy, is wanted by the world's two biggest clubs in Real Madrid and Manchester United, and Marca, as is their wont, have already done their best this week to inform the world the Welshman is en route to Spain.
Now the Mirror report Tottenham are worried Bale is becoming unsettled by all the speculation. The 24-year-old is yet to extend his annual contract/stay of execution with the club and this is starting to resemble Spurs summers of years gone by. Namely 2008, when Dimitar Berbatov eventually left for United on transfer deadline day and they began the season woefully.
Bale is wanted by both Madrid and United
Daniel Levy is doing little to reinforce a squad that is incredibly reliant on Bale, as well. Spurs have needed a reliable and quality striker for two years but they are making little headway with Roberto Soldado and/or others.
Bale will leave White Hart Lane eventually, but despite his searing form last season the best the Lilywhites could muster was fifth in the Barclays Premier League.
Marca add Valencia will not allow centre-back Adil Rami to leave for anything less than £7.75 million. Manchester City and Arsenal have both been linked with the 6ft 4in Frenchman.
Rami is a France international
Thiago Alcântara was part of an experimental three-man Bayern Munich midfield which still outplayed Barcelona on Wednesday, and now his father has spoken of how close his son came to joining Manchester United.
The Metro quote 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho as saying United spoke with Thiago after the Under-21 European Championship but could not agree a deal. Champions United have still not signed a teenager since, as our sport ed. constantly reminds us, he was a teenager.
Mark Hughes is interested in signing QPR "fruitcake" Adel Taarabt, write the Mail.
Stoke City would like to initially bring the Moroccan in on a loan deal, but the Rs want to make it permanent.
New Stoke boss Hughes also wants his scouts to cast their eyes over Guadalajara midfielder Marco Fabian, say the Times.
And Fulham are trying to sign Roma's Pablo Osvaldo in an £8.6m deal, according to the Star.