Paper Talk: Gimenez battle on for Prem pair

Jose Gimenez: Linked with Man Utd move

Jose Gimenez: Linked with Man Utd move

Man Utd and Liverpool are battling it out for an Atletico Madrid centre-back, while the Reds are also chasing Burnley’s Michael Keane, all in Friday’s papers.

DUO BATTLE FOR GIMENEZ

Manchester United and Liverpool are believed to be battling it out to sign Atletico Madrid central defender Jose Gimenez.

The Daily Mirror report that the Premier League pair are going “head to head” for the 22-year-old.

There is little other detail in the report other than Mourinho has been tracking the central defender for some time and that now Jurgen Klopp is also chasing the Uruguay international.

Gimenez has made 19 appearances this season, but only nine of those have been in La Liga with Diego Godin and Stefan Savic keeping him out of the side.

Injury has also plagued Gimenez this term with abductor muscle problem ruling him out for over a month in September and then a similar problem earlier this year sidelining him for another two weeks.

The player is believed to have a £39million buyout clause, but it’s understood neither club would be willing to meet that condition.

 

LIVERPOOL WANT KEANE TOO

Liverpool will also “join Everton in pursuit” of Michael Keane, according to the Daily Mail.

It’s clear that Jurgen Klopp is looking for a new centre-back this summer and Burnley man Keane is on the Anfield club’s radar after his solid England debut against Germany.

The former Man Utd man was impressive on Wednesday night in an almost faultless display and that, apparently, has been enough to persuade Liverpool to move for Keane.

Burnley look set to lose the 24-year-old at the end of the season, when he will have just 12 months remaining on his contract.

The Clarets are hoping for a fee in excess of £20million but Manchester City and Chelsea have been monitoring the player and his old club Manchester United, who have a sell-on clause, could also launch a move to bring him back to Old Trafford.

AND THE REST

Eden Hazard: Endured some rough stuff against Man United

Real Madrid hope to sign Belgium forward Eden Hazard, 26, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 24, from Chelsea this summer. (Guardian)

An Arsenal fan is plotting a sensational crowdfunding campaign to raise £904m to buy the club from owner Stan Kroenke. (The Sun)

West Ham are weighing up a raid for Bournemouth’s Josh King in the summer. (The Sun)

Norwich want Barnsley’s Paul Heckingbottom to be their new boss. (The Sun)

Tottenham are willing to listen to offers for France midfielder Moussa Sissoko, 27, who cost them £30m in the summer. (L’Equipe)

Manchester City are prepared to spend around £40m to sign 20-year-old France winger Kingsley Coman after his two-year loan spell at Bayern Munich from Juventus ends. (Daily Mirror)

Leicester and Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez, 26, has held talks with Barcelona and wants to make a £35m move at the end of the season. (Sport)

Stoke manager Mark Hughes wants to invest in youth this summer and that means Phil Bardsley, Glen Johnson and Charlie Adam could go. (Daily Mirror)

Recently recalled England striker Jermain Defoe, 34, wants to quit Sunderland to return to former side West Ham, according to Arsenal legend Ian Wright. (Sun)

Gerard Deulofeu is the latest name on West Ham’s radar ahead of a major summer overhaul at London Stadium. (Daily Star)

Michy Batshuayi’s agent has refused to rule out the striker leaving Chelsea this summer. (Daily Express)

Former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri is set to be offered a return to management with Serie A strugglers Palermo. (Corriere dello Sport)

Manchester City have expressed an interest in Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Mail)

Norwich are set to appoint Huddersfield’s Stuart Webster as their new sporting director.  (Daily Mail)

Arsenal will compete with north London rivals Tottenham to sign Schalke’s Leon Goretzka after the 22-year-old Germany midfielder turned down a new contract. (Daily Mirror)

Barcelona forward Neymar says his Brazil team-mate Philippe Coutinho would “totally fit” in with the La Liga side’s style of play, as the Spanish champions step up their interest in the 24-year-old Liverpool midfielder. (Daily Mail)

West Ham will offer 28-year-old New Zealand centre-back Winston Reid a new contract worth about £70,000 a week at the end of the season. (Sun)

Young British players are not being challenged enough or developed in the right way, says Belgium and former Everton boss Roberto Martinez. (Telegraph)

Alex Neil, who was recently sacked by Norwich, says he has no interest in succeeding Gordon Strachan as Scotland manager. (TalkSPORT)

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has asked France coach Didier Deschamps for an explanation on why he was not selected for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg. (RMC)

Barcelona have held talks with out-of-favour Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Isco, 24, about a dramatic move this summer. (Diario Gol)

Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj says he does not know where he will be playing next season. The 22-year-old Belgium international is on loan at Sunderland. (Sunderland Echo)

Manchester City will make a world record £130m bid for AC Milan’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. (Sky Sport Italia)

Everton are in talks to sign 15-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder Brennan Johnson and will have to pay up to £1m for the England under-16 international.(Telegraph)