Paper Talk: Defender rejects United; Prem eyes on £50m Kroos

Jose Mourinho: Dictatorial style displeases fans

Jose Mourinho: Dictatorial style displeases fans

Manchester United gaffer Jose Mourinho has been dealt a blow regarding a defensive target and Pep Guardiola wants to bring Toni Kroos to Manchester City, all in today’s papers.

 

VARANE SNUB FOR JOSE

According to Marca’s front page on Thursday, Raphael Varane has said no to a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Man Utd.

The 23-year-old has turned down the opportunity to join up with the Portuguese boss at Old Trafford, despite being third choice centre-back behind Pepe and Sergio Ramos in Madrid.

Mourinho was coach ar Madrid when Varane was signed from Lens as an 18-year-old and United were one of three teams to approach the France international this summer, according to the Spanish Daily

but all three have been knocked back.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane was believed to be key to Varane’s decision to stay at the Bernabeu rather than linking up with Mourinho in a €40million move.

PEP WANTS KROOS

Man City boss Pep Guardiola wants to be reunited with midfielder Toni Kroos and has approached Real Madrid about his availability, according to reports.

The Daily Mirror reports that City will have to stump up £50million for the 26-year-old, who he managed at Bayern Munich.

The tabloid labels it “audacious”, but suggests the club have “received encouragement” that a deal can be done for the Germany midfielder.

Guardiola is a huge fan of Kroos, but the player is believed to be happy in La Liga and the club have no desire to sell Kroos, who cost Real £24million when he arrived from Bayern two years ago.

Kroos though “is not ruling out a move” and has four years left on his contract, but if the money is right the World Cup winner could become Guardiola’s latest addition.

Meanwhile, City are close to completing the £42million signing of Schalke forward Leroy Sane, 20, who will sign a four-year £100,000-a-week deal, say The Sun.

 

SWANS MAKE £10M CHADLI MOVE

Swansea City have offered in excess of £10million for Nacer Chadli, according to The Times.

Tottenham are close to completing a deal for Marseille wideman Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and that could signal the departure of the 26-year-old Belgium international.

Chadli was mainly used as a substitute at the end of last season, starting just 10 of his 29 league games last season, scoring three times, and he looks set to move on this summer.

Swans are looking to strengthen their forward options and Chadli can play as a no. 10 and can play wide on either side.

PAPER TALK ITALIA: Barca and Juve go head-to-head for Gabigol

AND THE REST

Sam Allardyce will earn a basic salary of £2.5m a year when he is expected to be confirmed as England manager on Thursday, but incentives mean he could receive more than the £3.5m per year his predecessor Roy Hodgson was paid. (Daily Mirror)

Allardyce was the Football Association’s second choice, after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned down the job, but Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate is unlikely to accept a role as Allardyce’s number two. (Daily Telegraph, Mirror)

Former Manchester United and Everton boss David Moyes will succeed Allardyce at Sunderland. (Sun)

Sunderland, who are seeking their seventh managerial appointment in five years, are in “advanced” talks with Scotsman Moyes, 53, who was sacked by Real Sociedad in November. (Guardian)

Meanwhile, United have agreed personal terms with the France international, who will sign a five-year contract worth £220,000 a week after tax. (Daily Mail)

The Red Devils will pay £18.4m to Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola to complete the deal. (Guardian)

Manchester United are also expected to sign Brentford winger Joshua Bohui, 17, who will sign a three-year contract. (Manchester Evening News)

Chelsea have turned down a £14.25m bid from Borussia Monchengladbach for defender Andreas Christensen, 20, who is in the middle of a two-year loan spell at the German club. (Daily Mail)

Meanwhile, Chelsea believe they have won the battle to keep Diego Costa despite Atletico Madrid’s attempts to sign the 27-year-old Spain striker, and could move for Benfica’s Sweden defender Victor Lindelof, 22. (Daily Star, Mirror)

Blues boss Antonio Conte has refused to rule out a third move for Alvaro Morata, 23, after a £62.7m bid for the striker was rejected by Real Madrid – although Chelsea are now considering a swoop for their former forward Romelu Lukaku, also 23, now at Everton. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle have had a £5.5m bid accepted for Blackburn centre-back Grant Hanley, 24.(Chronicle)

Meanwhile, Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, 25, is closing in on a £25m move to Liverpool. (Sunderland Echo)

And Arsenal have entered the race to sign fellow Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko, 26. (Talksport)

Swansea have offered in excess of £10m for Tottenham midfielder Nacer Chadli, 26. (Times)

However, Spurs value the Belgian at £15m, which would be a club record for the Swans and more than double what Tottenham paid FC Twente for the winger three years ago.(Daily Mirror)

West Brom will make an improved £10m offer for Leicester full-back Jeffrey Schlupp, 23, after having an initial £9m bid rejected.(Birmingham Mail)

Meanwhile, the Baggies are yet to accept Stoke’s £20m bid for striker Saido Berahino, and want to sign a forward before selling the 22-year-old.(Sky Sports)

Liverpool full-back Cameron Brannagan’s move to Wigan could collapse because the Championship side cannot guarantee the 20-year-old will play in 75% of games during his loan spell – a clause the Reds insist on with their loanees. (Liverpool Echo)

Aston Villa have had a £5m bid rejected for Bristol City’s Jonathan Kodjia. (Mail)

Hamburg have lined up a bid of £8m for Jordan Ayew but Aston Villa want to keep the striker. (Mail)

West Brom and Sunderland have shown interest in Lorient striker Benjamin Moukandjo. (Mail)

Luke Shaw has put up his £2m mansion up for sale sparking speculation he could leave Manchester United. (Star)