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Jose Mourinho’s paymasters at Internazionale are desperately trying to hang on to their coach – and they’re using Steven Gerrard as bait.

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..Mourinho has had an unhappy time in Italy despite leading Inter to the brink of a treble this season: the Coppa Italia is in the bag, Serie A glory is theirs for the taking this weekend and the Champions League final comes up next week.

Yet for all that success Mourinho has been unloved in the boot-shaped nation, only yesterday talking up a potential move to Real Madrid. That unhappiness has forced Inter president Massimo Moratti to promise a spending spree to persuade him to stay, according to the Daily Mirror, with Liverpool skipper Gerrard top of the shopping list.

This morning’s papers were thrilled by the news that David Beckham is to help Fabio Capello coach England at the World Cup – click the link beneath the picture to read the separate story.

Capello had already invited Beckham to join the squad in South Africa after an Achilles injury ended the 35-year-old’s dream of playing in the tournament for a fourth time.

But it seems that Goldenballs won’t simply be around to keep the paparazzi away from John Terry and co, with The Times reporting that Capello will use Beckham – who played under him at Real Madrid – to help explain to players exactly what he wants from them. Beckham being brought in for his eloquence at communication skills? He really has come a long way.

But Beckham doesn’t have a monopoly on the back pages: those that don’t lead with the former England skipper go with the news that Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is talking up a move to boyhood club Barcelona.

All the papers have the story – based on a series of interviews Fab gave to the Spanish media – with the player unequivocally stating that he wants to return to Barcelona, if they want to have him. The Daily Express adds that the player has already turned down big-money from Real Madrid and Manchester City in order to go back to the place where he learned his trade.

It shouldn’t be too long before things are clearer: Fabregas wants to get his future decided before the World Cup starts. Presumably, having four years left on his contract at the Emirates doesn’t count as having a future sorted.

Another player with Arsenal and Barcelona on his CV is also lining up a move: Thierry Henry is set for a move to America. The 32-year-old Frenchman has signed a pre-contract agreement to join the New York Red Bulls, according to The Sun, robbing hopeful lower tier Premier League and ambitious Championship sides of the chance to benefit from the twilight years of a true legend.

Bobby Zamora’s stellar season may have ended in a whimper with Europa Cup heartbreak and an injury that has kept him out of the World Cup squad, but he could be set for a big money move to Birmingham.

Alex McLeish has made an official approach to the Cottagers for Zamora and team-mate Paul Konchesky, according to the Daily Mirror. The report adds that several other Fulham players – including Danny Murphy and Simon Davies – could also be on their way as the end of their contracts approach.

Finally, the Daily Mail brings news that England captain Rio Ferdinand claims he is 100 per cent fit once more and raring to go at the World Cup.

It also brings us one of the oddest quotes of the footballing year so far: “You can stick Father Christmas at the back alongside me at the last minute if it works.”

No doubt it would. Santa might not be too light on his feet, but a team of reindeer gathered around the six-yard box and a sleigh parked in front of goal should keep things tight at the back.

Eurosport