Paper Talk: Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool rumours

Mark Holmes
James Rodriguez: Colombian is 'for sale'

James Rodriguez: Colombian is 'for sale'

Manchester United apparently want both James and Ricardo Rodriguez, while Chelsea and Liverpool have also been linked with new players in Sunday’s newspapers.

MAN UTD IN RODRIGUEZ TALKS

Manchester United have been in talks over the possible signing of Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez this month, according to the Sunday Express.

Real face being banned from registering players for two transfer windows after this one, decreasing the likelihood of any big-name exits, yet the Express claims they are willing to sacrifice a player that fell out with Rafa Benitez and already has a strained relationship with Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane isn’t happy with the player’s attitude in training and wouldn’t be against Rodriguez leaving, the newspaper claims.

Jorge Mendes represents Rodriguez and is said to have already held talks with a number of interested parties, including United, who have discussed ways of trying to make the deal happen in this transfer window.

There is apparently a ‘desire from both clubs’ for the move to go ahead, but Real paid £63million to sign Rodriguez from Monaco in 2014 and would at least want their money back on the 24-year-old.

CHELSEA WANT THIAGO SILVA

Chelsea want to sign Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Thiago Silva on loan this month, according to the Daily Star Sunday.

The Blues have conceded 34 goals in 22 Premier League games this season, trying various centre-back combinations, and have previously been linked with PSG’s Marquinhos as well as Everton’s John Stones, who they tried to sign in the summer.

They have now apparently added Silva, 31, to their list of targets, though the Star declines to mention whether PSG would consider loaning out a player that had started all but one of their games in Ligue 1 this season until a recent injury.

Chelsea and PSG also meet in the last 16 of the Champions League.

LIVERPOOL MAKE SCHMEICHEL ENQUIRY

Kasper Schmeichel is on Liverpool’s wanted list, according to the Sunday People.

Simon Mignolet has only recently signed a new five-year contract at Anfield, but Jurgen Klopp is apparently keen to sign some top-class competition for the Belgian, with Adam Bogdan failing to impress in his appearances so far.

Liverpool are said to have already made an enquiry but been told by Leicester City that the Denmark No.1 will not be sold in this transfer window.

The Reds are expected to try again in the summer, though, after Jurgen Klopp was again criticial of his side’s set-piece defending following Saturday’s 5-4 win at Norwich City.

AND THE REST

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal wants Wolfsburg full-back Ricardo Rodriguez to solve his defensive crisis (Sun on Sunday)

Manchester United are in discussions with Benfica over 18-year-old midfielder Renato Sanches (Sunday Express)

Former England defender Ashley Cole is expected to end speculation about his future by signing a contract to play alongside Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane for MLS franchise LA Galaxy despite late interest from Manchester United (Mail on Sunday)

Liverpool’s hopes of landing Alex Teixeira were receding last night after Shakhtar Donetsk refused to lower their valuation of the Brazilian striker (Sunday Mirror)

John Stones will be at centre of a £50million transfer scramble in the summer, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea all keen to sign the Everton defender (Mail on Sunday)

Chelsea are ready to sell Ramires in order to help fund a late spending spree in the January transfer window (Sun on Sunday)

Arsenal have made a fresh bid to sign Leicester City teenager Ben Chilwell (Sunday People)

Tottenham are watching both N’Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy at Leicester City (Sunday People)

Manchester City have joined Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool in watching exciting Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams (Sunday Express)

Loic Remy is set to spark a transfer scrap between Crystal Palace, Swansea City and Newcastle if Chelsea buy Alexandre Pato (Sun on Sunday)

Crystal Palace are monitoring Brighton defender Lewis Dunk ahead of a possible summer move (Mail on Sunday)

Everton are closing in on a deal for Ajax defender Ricardo van Rhijn after being snubbed by Sam Byram (Sunday People)