Paper Talk: Man Utd and Liverpool scout Euro stars

Mark Holmes
Islam Slimani: Manchester United linked with Sporting Lisbon striker

Islam Slimani: Manchester United linked with Sporting Lisbon striker

Manchester United and Liverpool are both scouting players from Europe, while Pato apparently has his heart set on a move to Chelsea.

MAN UTD SCOUT SLIMANI

Manchester United have joined the chase for Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani, according to The Sun.

The tabloid says United scouts have been watching the Algerian for the last two months and have been suitably impressed by a player that has scored 13 goals in the Portuguese league this season.

Slimani, who would apparently cost around £12million, reportedly came close to joining West Ham in the summer and is also said to be wanted by Leicester City, but United have ‘jumped to the top of the list’ of potential destinations for the 27-year-old, who is keen to move to the Premier League.

Slimani has scored 42 goals in 90 appearances for Sporting in total since joining them from Algerian club CR Belouizdad in August 2013.

PATO PREFERS CHELSEA OVER LIVERPOOL

Alexandre Pato would prefer to join Chelsea over Liverpool, according to The Independent.

The former AC Milan playmaker is currently at Corinthians but has been linked with a move to the Premier League for several months, with Chelsea and Liverpool among the clubs said to be considering an approach for a player available for what is viewed, at least by Corinthians, as a cut-price £11million, with his contract up at the end of the year

‘Liverpool appear to be the frontrunners in signing Pato, but it is Chelsea that the former AC Milan hotshot would prefer to play for this season,’ it says in The Independent.

Pato, who scored 26 goals in 59 appearances on loan at Sao Paolo last season, has made no secret of his desire to play in England.

“I like the emotion in the English league,” Pato is quoted as previously saying. “You look at the TV and you see the stadium and the fans. I remember that when we played Arsenal, they were very strong and very fast. My special thing is my speed. I’m fast. I think that’s good because the football here is very quick.

“I don’t think the physical part of English football would be a problem. When you get the ball, you need to be ready. The defenders here are very tough but I like that. I have spoken to Willian, Firmino, Coutinho and David Luiz before.

“I think Brazilian players can play here. You mix talent and intelligence and Brazilian players can play here.”

LIVERPOOL TO STAY ON FORSBERG TRAIL

While Liverpool may not land Pato – if indeed they are even interested in him – they will continue to monitor Red Bull Leipzig winger Emil Forsberg, 24, as they consider a summer offer, reports the Daily Mail.

The newspaper claims that Liverpool enquired about the availability of the Sweden international last month but were informed by his club that they were unwilling to listen to offers until the summer for a player who they only bought themselves last January from Malmo.

AND THE REST

Manchester United are close to signing 24-year-old Austria centre-back Aleksandar Dragovic from Dynamo Kiev in a £16m deal (Sport Mediaset)

Louis van Gaal faces the biggest game of his Manchester United career at Liverpool on Sunday, with the club’s hierarchy concerned the club will fail to qualify for the Champions League (The Times)

Remi Garde is close to signing Bordeaux defender Lamine Sane as he bids to strengthen his Aston Villa squad (Daily Telegraph)

Tottenham and West Ham are on red alert after reports in France claimed Wissam Ben Yedder is ready to force a move out of Toulouse this month (The Sun)

Stoke City are preparing a bid for Saido Berahino and think they can beat Tottenham Hotspur to the West Brom striker’s signature (The Times)

Saido Berahino may have to stay at West Brom for the rest of the season as Tottenham are unwilling to pay the £23m they offered for him last summer (The Sun)

Liverpool, Real Madrid and AS Monaco remain locked in a three-way battle over 17-year-old Monaco forward Kylian Mbappé (Get French Football)

Everton scout Ian Atkins checked on Leeds United right-back Sam Byram during Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat by Ipswich Town (Daily Mail)

Watford believe they are in pole position to sign Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni, who is also wanted by Bournemouth (Daily Mirror)

Bournemouth are among clubs to have asked about taking Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts, 18, on loan (Daily Mail)