Paper Talk: Van Gaal, Sampaoli and Chambers speculation

Mark Holmes
Pep Guardiola: Will take over at Manchester City in the summer

Pep Guardiola: Will take over at Manchester City in the summer

Manchester United may wait until the summer to sack Louis van Gaal, Chelsea may move for Jorge Sampaoli, while Arsenal could loan out Calum Chambers.

VAN GAAL MAY STAY AS MAN UTD EYE GUARDIOLA

Manchester United would prefer to wait until the summer to sack Louis van Gaal, reports the Daily Mail, as they have reservations over appointing Jose Mourinho and see Pep Guardiola as the ‘dream ticket’.

Van Gaal, angered by media reports regarding his future, left his press conference after only five minutes on Wednesday, but the Mail says the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford is so precarious that he is being judged on a ‘game-by-game basis’.

However, Ed Woodward is apparently reluctant to fire Van Gaal mid-season and ‘does not want to be dictated to’ by Mourinho. Furthermore, United are said to have ‘serious reservations’ about Mourinho’s history of overlooking youth players, a factor that is viewed as hugely important at Old Trafford.

United could face competition from Manchester City and Chelsea if they wait to battle it out for Guardiola in the summer, although the London club appear to be considering other options…

CHELSEA CONSIDER SAMPAOLI FOR MANAGEER

Chelsea have ‘sounded out’ Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli over the possibility of taking over at Stamford Bridge, according to The Sun.

Guardiola and Diego Simeone have both have been linked with the job, while interim manager Guus Hiddink revealed on Wednesday that he could even remain in long-term charge, but Roman Abramovich is also said to be considering Sampaoli.

However, Real Madrid have also made contact with thh 55-year-old, The Sun says.

Sampaoli, who led Chile to the Copa America title over the summer, will hold talks with the Chilean Federation on January 4 before deciding his future.

ARSENAL TO LOAN CHAMBERS BACK TO SOUTHAMPTON

Arsenal are ready to loan Calum Chambers back to Southampton in January, according to The Sun.

Having struggled for opportunities this season, even following the injuries to Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla, Arsene Wenger wants the 20-year-old to gain more experience elsewhere – and Southampton are keen to have him back on the south coast.

Saints would even like to keep him on loan for the whole of next season if things go well for the rest of the season, but Arsenal will only sanction the move if no club comes in for Mathieu Debuchy, who is currently first-choice cover for Hector Bellerin at right-back.

AND THE REST

Guus Hiddink will be given cash to spend in January, with Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy likely to be his top target (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea will again try to sign French duo Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba in the summer (Buzzsport)

Norwich City have agreed a cut-price £2.5million deal with West Ham for winger Matt Jarvis (Daily Mail)

Swansea City caretaker boss Alan Curtis may stay in charge for the rest of the season (Daily Mirror)