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A number of national papers feature news of Everton appointing Laing O’Rourke as ‘preferred contractor’ for the Club's new 52,000-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The Blues confirmed the news on Wednesday evening and you can read the full story here.

The Daily Mirror claims Everton are one of seven clubs poised for a battle over the signature of Gent's 20-year-old striker Jonathan David.

Premier League rivals Arsenal and Leicester City are also said to be in the chase for Canada international David, who moved to Belgian side Gent from Ottawa Internationals in his homeland two years ago.

The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, reckons Everton will join Chelsea and Liverpool in trying to prise prolific chief scout Juni Calafat from 13-times European champions Real Madrid.

Corriere Dello Sport in Italy continues to link the Toffees with Serie A-based centre-backs. The paper revisits the possibility of a Goodison Park move for Hellas Verona defender Marash Kumbulla and also lists Roma's on loan Manchester United centre-half Chris Smalling as a potential Everton target.

Finally, TalkSPORT has published an alternative Premier League table, showing how the standings would look without VAR interventions. Everton would climb three places to sixth.