Paper Talk: Real deal PL transfer blow; ‘next Suarez’ on Liverpool trial

Mark Scott
Luis Suarez: Still a firm favourite at Liverpool

Real Madrid have been Chelsea and Man City to Sweden’s rising star, while the striker dubbed ‘the next Suarez’ wants Premier League football – according to Monday’s papers.


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REAL MADRID WIN ISAK CHASE

Real Madrid have beaten a whole host of European giants, including Chelsea and Man City, to the signing of AIK’s 17-year-old striker Alexander Isak.

According to various tabloids, Isak, who has been compared to Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Galacticos by the end of the week.

Real Madrid are currently operating under a transfer ban throughout this January window, but he can be registered to the club ahead of becoming properly integrated into the Real Madrid set-up in the summer.

Isak was said to be high on Antonio Conte’s wishlist in particular after scoring 10 goals in 24 appearances as Solna finished second in the Allsvenskan last season. But it now looks like the Blues – in the middle of the Diego Costa transfer saga – will have to look elsewhere to bolster their forward options.

URUGUAYAN WONDERKID REVEALS PREM DREAM

Uruguay whizkid Gustavo Viera, 16, has set his sights on the Premier League as he wants to follow in the footsteps of his two idols – Didier Drogba and Luis Suarez.

The striker already plays for a team called Liverpool in his homeland and has been on trial with Jurgen Klopp’s team earlier in the season – an experience that he will never forget.

“It was very good, I was a little nervous to be up there with the first team but luckily it went well for me! Viera said via The Sun.

The senior players welcomed me and were good to me, they seemed happy to have me in the group and all very relaxed.

“I feel I am ready to play but always working each day to be better and better.”

Now Viera wants to one day move to the Premier League on a permanent basis, and his latest comments will not only interest Liverpool, but Chelsea, too.

“I loved watching the Premier League when I was younger, especially because of the speed and the physicality,” he added.

Chelsea was my favourite team.

“Now I am playing myself, for sure I want to arrive there one day.”

The Sun also believe that Everton are interested in the striker.

AND THE REST

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is ready to call a truce with the Blues – amid rumours of a move to China – and stay with them until the end of the season (The Sun)

Diego Costa turned down an improved contract offer from Chelsea long before reported interest from Tianjin Quanjian (Times)

West Ham are increasingly open to selling unsettled midfielder Dimitri Payet in January (Evening Standard)

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says there have been no offers for his players from China (The Guardian)

Hull forward Robert Snodgrass says he is focused on the Humberside club, not transfer speculation (Daily Star)

Stoke boss Mark Hughes wants to keep forward Bojan Krkic, despite interest from Middlesbrough (Mirror)

Newcastle United have not given up hope on signing 25-year-old Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney (Newcastle Chronicle)

MLS club Real Salt Lake are interested in signing 19-year-old American striker Brooks Lennon on loan from Liverpool (ESPN)

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart – on loan at Torino – says he is focused on Monday’s game against AC Milan not his future (La Gazzetta dello Sport)


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Birmingham City have shown an interest in Cheick Keita, a 20-year-old Mali international defender who plays for Virtus Entella in Italy’s Serie B (Birmingham Mail)

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil suggests he “very comfortable” in London, having said last week he wants to know the long-term future of manager Arsene Wenger before committing to a new contract (Germany national team website)

Aston Villa’s French defender Aly Cissokho is set to be loaned to Greek champions Olympiakos (Supersport)

Coventry City boss Russell Slade is set to make his second and third loan signings of the January transfer window, bringing in Derby County defender Farrend Rawson and striker Charles Vernam, both aged 20 (Coventry Telegraph)