Paper Talk: Fonte cleared for Man Utd; Simeone ‘snubs’ Arsenal
Arsenal have been told that Diego Simeone is unlikely to manage them any time soon, while Southampton are set to sell Manchester United target Jose Fonte for a cut-price fee in January, according to Tuesday’s newspapers.
SIMEONE WANTS INTER, NOT ARSENAL, CLAIMS SON
Diego Simeone will snub the Arsenal job in favour of Inter Milan when the time comes to leave Atletico Madrid.
That’s according to the former Argentine international’s son, who claims his father – who earlier this summer agreed to a contract reduction at Atletico – has already planned his next move.
Simeone, who has won the La Liga title and reached two Champions League finals during his time at the Vicente Calderon, has been hotly tipped to succeed Arsene Wenger in the Arsenal hotseat when the Frenchman eventually calls it quits. Wenger’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and it’s expected Wenger will move into a director of football role at the club.
However, it seems a move to Italy is next on the agenda for Simeone after his son, Gio Simeone, who is on his own path as a player with Italian side Genoa, believes his father is content for now, but that the Nerazzurri would likely be his next step in management.
“Sooner or later will arrive the moment when Dad goes to Inter and I hope that this happens,” the 21-year-old striker told Corriere dello Sport.
“Now he’s happy with Atletico and I see him as content, but if in the future he receives a call from Inter, why not? I would like this.”
The 46-year-old is a favourite of the Inter faithful from his time as a player, where he was part of the 1998 side that lifted the UEFA Cup.
TALKS STALL OVER NEW SAINTS DEAL FOR MAN UTD TARGET FONTE
Southampton will reportedly allow Jose Fonte to leave St Mary’s in January after the Portuguese defender rejected a new contract with the club.
The centre-half, 32, has just 18 months of his contract left on the south coast, but the latest round of talks over an extension after reportedly broken down – leading to The Guardian claiming the player – a target for Manchester United and Everton – will be allowed to leave.
United are set to have lined up a deal for Fonte, though at 32 he is not their first choice. It’s reported Jose Mourinho would prefer to land Benfica centre-half Victor Lindelof, although hopes of a deal for the Swede appear to be fading after his club stuck a €60million price tag on his head.
Love Man Utd? Love Monopoly? Here’s the perfect Christmas gift…
If a deal for Lindelof cannot be agreed, it’s thought United would move for Fonte, with The Guardian suggesting Saints will accept a fee of just £5million. Everton, who are managed by Fonte’s former manager Ronald Koeman, are also said to be keen.
With Fonte unwilling to commit to extending his stay on the south coast beyond his current contract, Portuguese website Maisfutebol says the club have informed him he will be allowed for the right price.
And the publication claims Mourinho is the favourite to sign him given he shares the same agent in Jorge Mendes.
AND THE REST
Slaven Bilic has turned down an offer from Rio Ferdinand to become West Ham ‘s defensive coach (Daily Mirror)
Bournemouth targeted Liverpool keeper Loris Karius as a “weakness” ahead of Sunday’s stunning 4-3 victory (Daily Mirror)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has refused to rule out a move for Celtic scoring sensations Moussa Dembele (Daily Mirror)
Aston Villa want to offload injury-jinxed £7m striker Libor Kozak (Daily Mirror)
Malky Mackay and Russell Slade are front runners for the Rotherham manager’s job (Daily Mirror)
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not face any FA action for kicking Seamus Coleman in the head in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Everton (Daily Star)
Manchester City will consider a cut-price £10m deal for Joe Hart at the end of the season – but NOT to a Premier League rival (The Sun)
Paul Scholes has started a fast-track coaching course to pave the way for a move into management (The Sun)
Bayern Munich star Mats Hummels has stuck up for Wayne Rooney and revealed he almost joined Manchester United in 2014 (Daily Mail)
Arsene Wenger has warned Alexis Sanchez that money should not be the overriding factor in deciding whether to stay at Arsenal (Daily Mail)
Slaven Bilic is targeting Asmir Begovic on loan for West Ham after losing faith in Adrian and Darren Randolph (Daily Mail)
Alexis Sanchez would fit any team in the world but Man City have not made contact with him, Pep Guardiola insists (Daily Mail)
Slaven Bilic is facing the sack as West Ham manager before Christmas if he loses two key games (Daily Mail)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not actively looking to strengthen his first-team squad in the January transfer window (Daily Telegraph)
Manchester City are furious that Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has escaped punishment for slapping Fernandiniho (Daily Mail)
Mats Hummels believes Henrikh Mkhitaryan will shine for Manchester United if given freedom to express himself (Daily Mail)
Robbie Fowler is confused by all the criticism that has come Daniel Sturridge’s way at Liverpool (Daily Mail)
Jose Mourinho retains the support of Manchester United’s hierarchy, who have been “encouraged” by the team’s improving style of play, despite some poor results (Daily Telegraph)
Sunderland may have to look for attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window after England Under-21 forward Duncan Watmore, 22, was ruled out for the rest of the season (Daily Mail)
Swansea City manager Bob Bradley is under pressure already as the club launch a review following the dreadful run of results (Daily Telegraph)
Brendan Rodgers insists he’d never use Celtic as a stepping stone back in to the Premier League – because he’s living the dream at his boyhood heroes (Daily Record)