David Luiz (l) and Antonio Conte
David Luiz (l) and Antonio Conte

Paper Talk: Friday's football transfer rumours and gossip from UK newspapers


A round-up of the latest football gossip from Friday's newspapers.

DAILY EXPRESS

  • David Luiz has had clear the air talks with Chelsea coach Antonio Conte - but has told the Italian he wants his place back or he will be off.
  • Man Utd target Antoine Griezmann has been told he can leave by Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

SKY BET: Latest Antoine Griezmann transfer odds

  • West Ham are planning to swoop for Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud.
  • Gareth Bale has settled on a pre-agreement with Manchester United to leave Real Madrid in the summer, according to a report in Spain.

THE SUN

  • Pep Guardiola is determined to land a new centre-back next month - with Virgil van Dijk and Jonny Evans still high on his shopping list.
  • Old Trafford chiefs fear Zlatan Ibrahimovic may never be the same player following his horror knee KO.
  • Danny Rose insists he will feel enmity but no envy when he faces up to Kyle Walker on Saturday.
  • Barcelona are reportedly interested in Manchester United star Daley Blind.
  • Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery had his transfer planning documents stolen when burglars made away with around £18,000 worth of valuables from his apartment.
  • Barcelona legend and 2002 World Cup winner Ronaldinho wants to join the Brazilian senate.

DAILY MIRROR

  • Jose Mourinho is ready to offload Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the summer - to pave the way for the signing of Mesut Ozil as his replacement.
  • Wilfried Zaha has hit back at the diving accusations levied against him by claiming he is a targeted victim of his Premier League opponents.
  • Liverpool's hopes of signing Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij have been boosted after Barcelona ended their interest in him.
  • The majority of West Ham's squad face a 50 per cent wage cut should they stay at the club if it is relegated this season.
  • Real Betis are interested in taking Stoke's Jese Rodriguez back to Spain on loan - he has been out of their squad after returning to Spain to be with his seriously-ill prematurely-born son.
  • Aston Villa will soon open talks with Manchester United over turning their loan move for 'keeper Sam Johnstone into a permanent stay.

DAILY MAIL

  • Sam Allardyce has admitted Ross Barkley's future is out of his hands and indicated Everton's hierarchy will determine if he stays beyond January.

SKY BET: Ross Barkley 9/4 for January Chelsea move

  • Manchester United have made enquiries for Chelsea midfielder Willian but the Premier League champions are reluctant to sell in January.
  • Sheffield Wednesday are closing on a loan move for Manchester United striker James Wilson.
  • Nathaniel Chalobah is using England's St George's Park base for his rehab from a knee injury.
  • Everton and West Ham are among the teams showing an interest in Lille defender Adama Soumaoro.

DAILY STAR

  • Henrikh Mkhitaryan will seek showdown talks with Jose Mourinho about his Manchester United future.
  • Danny Rose says Spurs are ready to end Manchester City's record-breaking run - again.
  • Crystal Palace's on-loan defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah faces an absence after injuring his hamstring against Watford.

THE TIMES

  • Arsenal face more contractual issues next season after failing to reach early agreement with Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck on new deals - both are out of contract in the summer of 2019.
  • Manchester City will look to Real Sociedad's Inigo Martinez if they miss out on Virgil van Dijk and other defensive targets.

THE GUARDIAN

  • A report has shown 58 per cent of FA Women's Super League players are considering quitting for financial reasons, with 88 per cent earning less than £18,000 per year.

DAILY RECORD

  • Rangers are set to be without midfielder Graham Dorrans for up to three months.
  • Morocco ditched plans for a pre-World Cup friendly against Scotland because their style is nothing like Spain and Portugal, who they will face next summer in Russia.