Paper Talk: Chelsea eye Gibson and Keane, Berahino plot

Ian Watson

Keane and Gibson: Both being watched by Chelsea

Chelsea have been impressed by young defenders Michael Keane and Ben Gibson, while Saido Berahino could move abroad to leave West Brom on the cheap.

CHELSEA TARGET ENGLISH DEFENSIVE TALENT 

Antonio Conte is reported to have identified Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson and Burnley centre-back Michael Keane as potential replacements for John Terry.

The Daily Mail report that the young pair have received glowing reports from Chelsea scouts as the club makes plans for life without their skipper.

The story claims the Blues are keeping a particularly close eye on English talent as they look to stay on the right side of Premier League rules on homegrown player regulations.

Former England youth and Under-21 international Gibson, 23, came through the ranks with Boro, while Keane, also 23, joined Burnley permanently in January 2015 after failing to make the breakthrough at Manchester United.

 

BERAHINO SET FOR BRIEF SPELL ABROAD?

Saido Berahino could move to Europe briefly before returning to the Premier League on the cheap, according to the Daily Express.

West Brom striker Berahino has only one year remaining on his contract, having been linked with Spurs, Stoke and Crystal Palace over the last 12 months.

The 23-year-old has been close to leaving The Hawthorns on a number of occasions but the Baggies have stuck to their valuation of the striker.

However, Berahino could agree a deal with a foreign club as early as January which would see West Brom receive only around £400,000 compensation for their prized asset, as opposed to a much larger fee set by tribunal if the forward was to move to a Premier League rival.

That is the vague possibility laid out by former agent Jon Smith in an interview with Football Fancast, and the Daily Express names the player concerned as Berahino.

 

Gabby Agbonlahor Aston Villa

AND THE REST

Tottenham’s Harry Kane is a transfer target for AC Milan as Chinese buyers prepare for a big-money takeover of the Serie A side. (Daily Mirror)

Marcus Rashford prepared for the Manchester derby by watching his closest pals play in a non-league match – and even paid his £5 admission fee. (Daily Mirror)

The relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Matteo Darmian is in ‘total breakdown’, according to reports. (Daily Mirror)

Playing Wayne Rooney in midfield is “an insult” as he does not have the skills to compete against the best in that position, claims former Manchester United captain Paul Ince. (The Sun)

Marcello Lippi has been offered £50.8m to return to China and manage former club Guangzhou Evergrande. (The Sun)

Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra claims he favoured staying in the Spanish top flight over a move to Sunderland this summer. (Daily Star)

PAPER TALK ITALIA: Juve, Agnelli gets serious for Matuidi; Morrison stays in Rome

Manchester United target Leonardo Bonucci is set for a bumper new contract with Juventus. (Daily Star)

Slovakia’s Martin Skrtel has sensationally claimed Harry Kane was told to provoke him – resulting in his sending off during the World Cup qualifying clash with England. (Daily Star)

Claudio Bravo is set to be handed a baptism of fire in the Manchester derby on Saturday despite having had only two training sessions with his new team-mates since his £13.75m move from Barcelona. (Daily Express)

Saido Berahino looks set for a shock move to Europe before returning to the Premier League, former agent Jon Smith has hinted. (Daily Express)

Alessio Romagnoli has revealed he is glad AC Milan rejected Chelsea’s bid for him. (Daily Express)

Matteo Darmian could be heading towards the Manchester United exit door with the defender and Jose Mourinho’s relationship at a ‘complete breakdown’. (Daily Mail)

Roberto Martinez has won an astonishing £10m pay-off from Everton for his sacking… and it could have been more. (Daily Mail)

Jose Mourinho has cancelled plans for double training at Manchester United and scrapped Louis van Gaal’s ‘spy’ cameras in a bid to topple City. (Daily Mail)

Jose Mourinho has instructed his Manchester United players to bully Manchester City in the air on Saturday as Old Trafford braces itself for the most high profile match in British top flight history. (Daily Telegraph)

Aston Villa will attempt to shift Gabby Agbonlahor’s mammoth £4m contract by offloading him to Major League Soccer. (Daily Telegraph)

Landon Donovan has surprised MLS by coming out of retirement to rejoin the LA Galaxy for the rest of the season. (The Guardian)