Paper Talk: Ronaldo ‘green light’, Klopp to kop Butland

Ronaldo Red reunion on hold?

Manchester United are hot on the trail of Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool want Jack Butland and Arsenal are chasing John Stones, all in today’s Sunday papers.

RONALDO ‘GREEN LIGHT’ TO UNITED

The Sunday Mirror are back on the trail of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United just five days after their sister paper the Daily Mirror reported a deal was impossible.

‘Manchester United have been told it would be “impossible” for Cristiano Ronaldo to make an emotional Old Trafford return.

‘Red Devils boss Louis Van Gaal floated the sensational idea at the weekend when he told fans to keep their fingers crossed it would happen.

‘But on Monday night the superstar’s agent Jorge Mendes insisted his client would “end his career at Real Madrid ”,’ reported the Mirror on November 25.

Ronaldo TT

Now however, the deal is back on with Ronaldo giving United the ‘green light’.

United boss Louis van Gaal would love to get Ronaldo back at Old Trafford, but French giants PSG are also keen the land the 30-year-old. Apparently ‘Madrid know that the world player of the year will seek a new challenge next’ – deal done then.

Well, not quite but it sets up the story nicely for a month-long run in the January transfer window.

 

KLOPP TO KOP £20M BUTLAND

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will axe ‘bungling Belgian Simon Mignolet’ and replace him with Stoke keeper Jack Butland, according to the Sun on Sunday.

Butland , 22, is also believed to be attracting interest from Everton, but Klopp has made the England man his No 1 keeper target, although the ‘exclusive’ says Liverpool will have to wait until the summer to sign him.

The red top also says Borussia Dortmund stars Neven Subotic, Lukasz Piszczek and Sven Bender are also targets for Klopp, who could return to his former club in the January sales.

 

ARSENAL JOIN RACE FOR STONES

The Sunday Mirror’s back page leads with ‘Gunner Stones’.

Not the best headline they have ever produced, but they report that ‘Arsenal are set to enter the race to sign John Stones’.

There’s no real substance behind the ‘exclusive’ other than Arsene Wenger is prepared to pay big money to land the England man, who Chelsea pursued all summer.

Everton turned down £37million for the 21-year-old in the summer and maintained the classy centre-back was not for sale. So Wenger, who is not renowned for spending in January, will have to table a bid in excess of £40million to land the former Barnsley man.

The Sun claims the defender has also ‘alerted La Liga giants Barcelona’ after it was reported he was taking Spanish lessons. There’s nothing like jumping to conclusions…

 

AND THE REST

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is understood to see Manchester United as his preferred option when he decides to leave the German giants. (Sunday Telegraph)

Man Utd, Arsenal and Spurs are preparing to do battle to sign Swiss striker Breel Embolo, 18. (Sun on Sunday)

Leicester City would be willing to let in-form striker Jamie Vardy leave in the January transfer window, should Chelsea or Manchester City offer more than £30m for the 28-year-old. (Independent)

Arsenal have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Germany midfielder Lars Bender, 26, from Bayer Leverkusen in January. (London Evening Standard)

Tottenham are ready to offer England winger Andros Townsend, 24, plus cash in a £25m package for West Brom striker Saido Berahino, 22. (Daily Star)

Newcastle are plotting a £10m raid for Spurs’ Andros Townsend. (Sun on Sunday)

Jurgen Klopp will look to return to his old club for £31.5m-rated winger Marco Reus and defender Mats Hummels, both 26, valued at £24.5m. (Daily Star)

Bordeaux midfielder Henri Saivet was watched by Everton, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Swansea at Liverpool on Thursday night. (Sunday Mirror)

Rangers manager Mark Warburton is the latest target for Fulham, who are still searching for a new boss after Kit Symons was sacked earlier this month. (Sunday Telegraph).

West Ham are reviving their interest in 27-year-old Inter Milan full-back Danilo D’Ambrosio after failing to agree a deal in the summer. (Football Italia)

West Brom are checking on Bordeaux’s £10m striker Diego Rolan. (Sun on Sunday).

Aston Villa want Burnley centre-back Michael Keane. (Sun on Sunday)