Paper Talk: United, Arsenal target Atletico ace; £20m Cesc talk

Jose Gimenez: Linked with Premier League duo

Manchester United and Arsenal are both chasing Atletico Madrid centre-back Jose Gimenez, while Man City are eyeing a £20million move for Cesc Fabregas, all in today’s papers.

UNITED AND ARSENAL TO BATTLE FOR GIMENEZ

Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly preparing to do battle for Atletico Madrid’s £40million-rated defender Jose Gimenez.

The Sunday Mirror claim United have been watching the 21-year-old for a while after he came to their attention while they were scouting striker Antoine Griezmann.

The Uruguay international has made giant strides in La Liga since moving from Uruguayan side Danubio for around £750,000 in July 2013. He has only played twice this season after injuring his abductor muscle in the 1-0 win over Deportivo last month, but he is set to return in the next week.

He featured 37 times last season and scored once and while he has developed into one of the most exciting defenders in La Liga it’s debatable whether he “has an eye for goal” with one to his name last season.

Gimenez was linked with a move to Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal in the summer, while last month the Daily Mirror again suggested United scouts were tracking the player after watching him in action in the 1-0 win over PSV.

Reports in the summer suggested he had £56million buy-out clause in his contract which runs until June 2018.

Arsenal “have already made enquiries” but Atletico boss Diego Simeone is desperate to keep hold of the Uruguay international, but if Simeone moves on in the summer then Gimenez could well follow him out of the Vincente Calderon.

 

PEP TARGETS £20M FABREGAS MOVE

Leicester City v Chelsea - EFL Cup Third Round

Pep Guardiola is set to make a shock £20million bid to bring Cesc Fabregas to Man City, according to a report.

“Guardiola is keen to sign his fellow Spaniard in January,” according to The Sun.

The 29-year-old has found himself down the pecking order under Antonio Conte at Chelsea this season and he has started just once in the Premier League – the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal when he was hooked just after half-time.

The Spain international is believed to have turned down AC Milan and Juventus in the summer and may well be open to a switch to City, who could offer a future move to their sister club New York as a sweetener.

Fabregas is understood to be keen on winding down his career in the MLS and so a move to City followed by a transfer to New York City could well appeal.

Guardiola, who is reportedly looking to add some creativity to his midfield, bought Fabregas for Barcelona from Arsenal in 2011 for £35million and he was magnificent scoring 20 goals and adding 15 assists as Barca won four trophies that season.

The Blues are happy to improve Fabregas’ current £160k-a-week deal, which runs until June 2019.

 

AND THE REST

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says former captain Steven Gerrard is “always welcome” at the club, after the midfielder suggested he might leave American side LA Galaxy at the end of the season. (Various)

Bayern Munich are planning to make a £65m bid for Everton’s Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 23. (Sun on Sunday)

Lorenzo Insigne

Lorenzo Insigne’s agent is pushing for talks with Liverpool over a January move to Merseyside to help end the striker’s spell at Napoli. (Star on Sunday)

Dominic Solanke is on the verge of signing a new contract at Chelsea after lowering his wage demands. (Star on Sunday)

Everton’s James McCarthy will be a target for a host of clubs in the January transfer window after failing to impress boss Ronald Koeman. (Star on Sunday)

Gareth Bale is set to sign a new contract with Real Madrid. The Wales forward, 27, will sign a deal worth £350,000 a week, with a £420m buy-out clause. (Sunday Express)

Jack Wilshere’s Arsenal career is over after the 24-year-old midfielder was sent on loan to Bournemouth, according to former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp. (Sky Sports)

Manchester United have signed teenage Dutch winger Millen Baars. The 16-year-old had been on the books of Ajax but fell out with coaching staff. (Mail on Sunday)

Former Roma and Lille manager Rudi Garcia claims he was approached to take over from Slaven Bilic as West Ham boss, before taking a job at Marseille this week. (L’Equipe)

Pep Guardiola wants to replace Sergio Aguero with Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Sunday Express)

Bayern Munich have dealt Manchester City a fresh blow – by warning Pep Guardiola to forget about David Alaba. (Sunday Mirror)

Everton boss Ronald Koeman is targeting Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman as a replacement for Gareth Barry. (Sunday Mirror)

Carrick

Tim Sherwood thinks Manchester City could buy Michael Carrick in January as the midfielder struggles to get in to the Manchester United side under Jose Mourinho. (Sun on Sunday)

Arsenal could remove the season tickets of fans who regularly fail to attend games after the board became concerned over the number of empty seats at Emirates Stadium. (Sunday Telegraph)

Shanghai SIPG and former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is attempting to bring Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, 30, to the Chinese Super League. (Sunday Mirror)

Juventus want to sign Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva, 32, from French champions Paris St-Germain on a free transfer.(Rai)

Tottenham’s Netherlands forward Vincent Janssen, 22, consulted former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy before making his £17m switch from AZ Alkmaar in the summer. (Helden)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been given “unprecedented levels of control” at the club after threatening to get rid of underperforming players. (Mail on Sunday)

Manchester United could recall 21-year-old left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from his loan spell at Wolves, with the defender struggling for first-team football at the Championship side. (Mail on Sunday)

Chelsea are set to offer the England Under-21 midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, 21, a new contract to stay at Stamford Bridge. (Sunday Mirror)

Former Brazil forward and two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho, 36, is considering three offers to continue his career.(O Jogo)