Paper Talk: Chelsea want German star; West Ham identify Bilic replacement

Michael Graham

Also, Manchester United identify a trio of top targets, and West Ham line-up Slaven Bilic’s replacement, according to today’s newspapers. 

CHELSEA BATTLE BARCELONA FOR WONDERKID

Chelsea are targeting Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Atakan Akkaynak, but will have to beat Barcelona to his signature to get him.

The Express reports that Chelsea sent scouts to watch the midfielder recently, and claim they will make their move when the transfer window reopens in January.

Akkaynak, 18, is regarded as one of the top rising stars in the Bundesliga, and has been covetously watched by just about every top club in Europe during the last year – despite not yet playing a first team game.

However, it is believed that Leverkusen are prepared to cash in on him now to help finance some immediate improvements to their side.

MAN CITY SECURE US STARLET

Manchester City have secured a deal to sign highly-rated Sporting Kansas City defender Erik Palmer-Brown.

The Kansas City Star report that he will jon the Premier League club in 2018 after his current deal in the MLS expires.

“He came to us and said there might be an opportunity. I said to him, ‘Look, if that’s what you want to do, then we’ll support you,’ ” Sporting KC coach and technical director Peter Vermes said. “He’s played out his contract. It’s happened with other guys. It’s just one of those situations.”

Sporting are understood to have made a counter offer, but were unable to match City’s terms.

AND THE REST

Manchester United will try to hijack Arsenal’s move for Monaco star Thomas Lemar in January (The Sun)

Thomas Lemar: Subject of transfer tug-of-war

Antione Griezmann and Gareth Bale are Manchester United’s top two summer targets (Manchester Evening News)

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has moved his family back to Madrid in anticipation of a switch back to Atletico in January (Express)

Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri is West Ham’s top target should they decide to bin Slaven Bilic (Express)

Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce are the names Crystal Palace want to replace struggling Frank De Boer (Mirror)