Paper Talk: Prem trio in battle for Barca starlet; Bertrand to City

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are all chasing a highly-rated Barcelona starlet, while City are ready to turn to a Southampton to star to solve their left-back conundrum, according to Monday’s newspapers.

PREM TRIO CHASING BARCA STARLET

Premier League giants Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are all reportedly tracking Barcelona starlet Abel Ruiz.

The 17-year-old is regarded as of Spain’s top prospects and is currently starring for his country at the Under-17s World Cup in India.

Ruiz, who is a key member of Barcelona’s ‘B’ side, currently has a £3million release clause on a contract than runs out in 2019.

That low buy-out figure has alerted English clubs, despite Barca trying to renegotiate the deal to stop one of their top young talents leaving on the cheap.

Arsenal and Chelsea are already said to have sounded out Ruiz’s representatives, while City are also watching developments, according to the report in the Daily Mirror.

Ruiz, however, has made it clear that he wants to stay in Catalonia, although he has expressed his fears that he may not get a first-team opportunity at the Nou Camp.

AND THE REST

Liverpool are interested in signing Fortuna Sittard’s 17-year-old Dutch defender Perr Schuurs (Daily Mail)

Manchester City have an eye on Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand as they look to bolster their defensive options (Daily Mail)

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has warned that Real Madrid are much more than just Cristiano Ronaldo (Daily Mail)

Phil Jones reckons Manchester United will have the last laugh on their critics come the end of the season (Daily Star)

Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona could be off after Thiago Alcantara offered himself to his former club, according to reports (Daily Star)

Dele Alli has revealed that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino didn’t like him when he first joined the club (Daily Star)

Alexis Sanchez’s future will be determined by Mesut Ozil’s decision on a new Arsenal contract (Daily Mirror)

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘orders Real Madrid bosses to sign’ Manchester United keeper David De Gea (Daily Mirror)

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool will be title challengers this season and beyond (Daily Mirror)

Andy Carroll will be hit with a £180,000 fine by West Ham for his red-card madness against Burnley (Daily Mirror)

Wolves will pay Atletico Madrid £14m in January to make Diogo Jota’s loan move permanent (Daily Mirror)

Emre Can is confident that Liverpool are almost back to their best after drawing 0-0 with Manchester United (The Sun)

Liverpool will not allow 17-year-old forward Rhian Brewster to go out on loan in January, but winger Lazar Markovic and centre-back Lloyd Jones will leave (The Sun)

Wigan Athletic are set for a shock takeover by a wealthy Chinese group (The Sun)

Gerard Houllier has revealed that his pursuit for Cristiano Ronaldo at Liverpool collapsed because of the club’s wage structure (The Sun)

Leonardo Bonucci has revealed that Antonio Conte is the “best” manager that he has worked with (The Sun)

West Ham United defender Pablo Zabaleta has condemned team-mate Andy Carroll for the “nasty” challenge that led to his dismissal during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Burnley (Daily Telegraph)

Adam Lallana is set to return from injury after next month’s international break (The Sun)

Nottingham Forest are tempted to make a January move for St Mirren and Scotland Under-21 winger Lewis Morgan, who also interests Celtic, Rangers and Birmingham City (Daily Record)