Paper Talk: Aymeric Laporte battle on; Mesut Ozil reveals next club
Mesut Ozil’s destination has been revealed, Jack Wilshere is unhappy, while Karim Benzema and Aymeric Laporte are in the news in today’s papers.
OZIL ‘PROBABLY’ HEADING TO MAN UTD
Mesut Ozil is “probably” heading for Manchester United, according to the Arsenal man.
Ozil, whose contract expires next summer, has been ‘quoted’ in a Turkish publication Sabah, claiming a move to United looks likely with a huge offer on the table from Jose Mourinho.
The article claims Ozil, who has Turkish heritage, has been approached by Fenerbahce over a move to the Super Lig club, but Ozil in a private conversation declined and suggested he was Old Trafford bound.
Sport Witness have translated the piece in Sabah and this is reportedly what Ozil said to Fener: “Thanks for your offer but I really want to stay in the Premier League. Manchester United have a huge offer for me, I’ll probably be transferred there.”
Meanwhile, AS claim Ozil wants Barcelona to pay him 370,000 euros (£329,559) a week to join them in January. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is willing to let the 29-year-old leave, as long as he does not join United on a free transfer next summer.
Barcelona-based newspaper Sport have suggested that Barca are not keen on progressing with a deal for Ozil because they fear he could be “the new Arda Turan”, who has failed to make an impact in Catalonia.
AND THE REST
Former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has turned down an approach from West Brom to speak to them about the vacant manager’s job. (Daily Mail)
Stoke, West Ham, Everton and Southampton are interested in former Watford striker Odion Ighalo. The 28-year-old moved to Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai in January. (Tutto Udinese, via Stoke Sentinel)
Spain midfielder Juan Mata, 29, wants to extend his stay at Manchester United and has not ruled out playing until he is 40. (ESPN)
Belgium forward Eden Hazard, 26, has said he will wait until the end of the season to review his future at Chelsea. (Canal+)
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could be on the move, with Juventus, Real Madrid, PSG and Atletico all interested. (Sun)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has dismissed Arsenal’s £40m bid for Karim Benzema as embarrassing. (Sun)
Eliaquim Mangala admits he could leave Manchester City in search of regular football, despite the side’s injury crisis at the heart of their defence. (Sun)
Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser has blamed his poor form on a “rabbit food” diet. (Sun)
Watford are confident manager Marco Silva does not want to join Everton as he is house-hunting in Hertfordshire. (Daily Mirror)
Everton appear to have given up hope of trying to convince the Hornets to allow them to negotiate with Silva. (Hertfordshire Mercury)
Crystal Palace will rival West Ham for the signing Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter, 27, in January. (Daily Mirror)
Former England defender Sol Campbell said he would be interested in becoming the United States’ head coach. (ESPN)
France defender Eliaquim Mangala, 26, has admitted he could leave Manchester City in January. (Sun)
Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez, 26, has given no indication he still wishes to leave Leicester City, said manager Claude Puel. (Leicester Mercury)
West Ham asked to be given an away fixture on Boxing Day because nearby Stratford station would not have been able to cope with the number of fans and post-Christmas sales shoppers. (Daily Telegraph)
Harry Kane admits he rushed his recovery from injury to play in last weekend’s north London derby, which Tottenham lost 2-0. (Daily Express)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was dropped by Jose Mourinho in an effort to encourage him to raise his game following a run of poor form. (Daily Mirror)
Jack Wilshere admits he may have to leave Arsenal to get regular football as he is frustrated with his current game time. (Daily Mirror)
Gabriel Jesus says he has his eyes on Sergio Aguero’s Manchester City goalscoring record, despite the Argentine only setting it last month. (Daily Mirror)
Derby want Joe Ledley to sign a new deal at the club, but Sunderland are keen on the 30-year-old midfielder. (Daily Mirror)
Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to go head to head for the signature of highly-rated Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte. (Daily Express)
Swansea boss Paul Clement says he still has support from the club’s board despite a disappointing start to the season. (Guardian)
Rennes are pursuing a loan deal for Leicester forward Islam Slimani, but face competition from Watford and Crystal Palace. (Daily Mail)
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he “does not care” that Danny Rose was upset by being left out of the north London derby. (Guardian)
Glenn Murray feels his Brighton goals would get more credit if he had a ‘fancy French name’. (Daily Telegraph)
Neymar swore at reporters and stormed out of an interview after PSG’s 7-1 win against Celtic, when he was asked about a move to Real Madrid. (Various)
Chelsea have made the most money from player sales since the Premier League began. (Daily Star)
Leeds scouts watched Bundesliga Two top scorer Marvin Ducksch play for Holstein Kiel against Nuremberg last weekend. (Daily Mail)
Eden Hazard believes Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah was not given the chance he deserved at Chelsea. (Guardian)