Paper Talk: Man Utd eye 21-goal Serie A star; London rivals battle over next boss

Oli Fisher

Jose Mourinho is ready to begin his summer overhaul by bringing in a Serie A star, while London rivals are fighting over their next boss, according to Saturday’s papers.

 

MOURINHO READY TO FORK OUT FOR SERIE A HOTSHOT

Jose Mourinho is reportedly ready to meet the release clause of one Serie A star and bring him to Manchester United in the upcoming transfer window.

The Sun claims that the Red Devils boss is willing to activate the reported £25m clause in the contract of Napoli’s Dries Mertens.

Their report states that Mourinho has even reached out to the Belgian’s representatives to get the ball rolling ahead of a summer swoop.

If Juventus beat Napoli to the Serie A title, the latter are expected to lose several top players, as well as coach Maurizio Sarri who has been linked with Chelsea.

Speculation earlier in the week suggested that United and battling Premier League rivals Arsenal for the former PSV man.

The 30-year-old has played a key role as Napoli have challenged Juventus for the title this season, notching an impressive 21 goals and assisting 12 in 46 games.

Dries Mertens: Linked with Manchester United switch

Gary Neville feels Mourinho has “had enough” of some of his Manchester United players, and tipped him to make big changes in the summer.

He said on Sky Sports: “He’s going to make some big changes in that changing room. It was so bad.

“It wasn’t the fact they played badly, their attitude was awful.

“He doesn’t like some of those players, he’s had enough of them.

“They were absolutely terrible tonight, it’s not good enough. They are wearing a Manchester United shirt and the standards have to be a lot higher than that.”

 

AND THE REST

Yaya Toure reportedly wants to stay in the Premier League after leaving Manchester City in the summer. Everton, Burnley and Huddersfield are said to be potential options (MEN)

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is eyeing a summer move for Napoli striker Dries Mertens. The 30-year-old Belgian has scored 45 goals over the last two seasons for the Serie A side (Sun)

Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez has withdrawn his transfer request to leave Leicester – but the 27-year-old has not committed his future to the Premier League side

Arsene Wenger’s successor at Arsenal will be given a £200m transfer budget, with Juventus’ boss Massimiliano Allegri the favourite to take over at the club (Star)

However, both Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim, who could leave the club at the end of the season (Sun)

Leonardo Jardim: Welcomes Premier League interest

AC Milan want to sign Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini. The 30-year-old Belgian is out of contract at the end of June (Corriere dello Sport via Talksport)

Everton winger Kevin Mirallas had his loan spell with Olympiakos terminated. The 30-year-old has scored two goals in 13 appearances this season for the Turkish side (Liverpool Echo)

Championship winners Wolves want to sign Southampton’s English goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, 28 (Mirror)

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla says that the Premier League side have not offered him a new contract. The 33-year-old’s current deal ends in the summer (ESPN)

Crystal Palace are considering a move for Hamilton Academical and Scotland under-19 midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 18 (Scottish Sun)

Meanwhile, Palace boss Roy Hodgson says he has “no plans” to retire. Hodgson, 70, has one year remaining on his contract (Evening Standard)

Peter Crouch says he will have to consider his Stoke future if the Potters are relegated from the Premier League. The 37-year-old striker signed a one-year contract extension in November (Sky Sports)

Peter Crouch: Reaches Premier League landmark

Aston Villa defender John Terry says he will stay at Villa Park for another season if they are promoted to the Premier League. Former England captain Terry, 37, signed a one-year deal last summer after leaving Chelsea (Mirror)

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard is ready to move into football management after working for his coaching badges at his old domestic club (Independent)

New Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has targeted former Liverpool team-mate Martin Skrtel, 33, as one of his first signings at Ibrox. Slovakian defender Skrtel currently plays for Turkish side Fenerbahce (Daily Record)

Watford goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis wants to return to his homeland of Greece. The 30-year-old is said to be interested in a move to Olympiakos (Watford Observer)