Paper Talk: Mata exit talk; City & United chase £30m striker

Juan Mata: Linked with move to Everton

Juan Mata: Linked with move to Everton

Atletico Madrid are chasing Juan Mata, Man Utd and Man City want £30m-rated Saints striker Sadio Mane and United are also hot on the trail of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however his value has dipped £10million in two days.

ATLETICO LEAD MATA CHASE

Atletico Madrid are believed to be tracking Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata.

The former Chelsea man, according to the Sunday People has been offered £170,000 a week to play in China, but reports in Spain from Fichajes, suggest Atletico are leading the chase for the 27-year-old.

It’s doubtful whether there is any truth in the rumour other than the fact that Jose Mourinho, who is being widely tipped to replace Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, is not a huge admirer of the Spain star.

Mourinho sold him to United for £37.1million in January 2014, just six months after returning to Stamford Bridge for a second time.

The Portuguese manager accused Mata of not “playing clever” and admitted he would have been prepared to sell the attacking midfielder to any of Chelsea’s rivals such was his dislike of the player.

 

CITY AND UNITED CHASE £30M MANE

Southampton are ready to cash in on £30million-rated Sadio Mane this summer, with Manchester United and Manchester City interested, according to the Daily Star.

Saints managed to fend off interest inthe 23-year-old Senegalese forward at the start of the season, but with Manchester City now believed to have an interest in the player, Mane’s value is set to soar and Ronaldo Koeman is happy to take the money for the striker.

Mane, who started the season brilliantly, has seen his form hit and has now gone 15 Premier League games without a goal and the Daily Star say Koeman is unsure if he fits into Saints’ new system.

Koeman, who dropped Mane for Saturday’s 1-0 away win at Swansea, which pushed Saints into the top six, said: “We play a little bit different at the moment.”

 

 AUBAMEYANG LOSES £10M IN VALUE AFTER UNITED LINKED AGAIN

Manchester United are preparing a £60million move for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang say the Daily Mirror.

And that’s not a bad price when you consider just two days ago United were lining up a £70million deal for Aubameyang as reported by the Mail on Sunday.

Whether or not their is any substance to the speculation is open to debate but I think we can can assume that the fees have been made up.

 

AND THE REST

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, 25, says he would struggle to turn down the chance to move to Paris St-Germain in the transfer window. (Le Parisien)

But Blues boss Guus Hiddink has warned Hazard he needs to start turning it on for Chelsea before daring to talk about a move to PSG. (Daily Express)

FA Cup replays could be scrapped with ties played in midweek, while League Cup semi-finals might be reduced to one leg in plans to reduce the number of games for top-flight clubs. (Sun)

Manchester City are facing a fight to keep their best young players amid fears their first-team pathway could be blocked if Pep Guardiola brings in high-profile targets Paul Pogba, 22, Luis Suarez, 29, and 27-year-old Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. (Daily Mail)

Turkish side Besiktas are considering a summer approach for Roma’s 29-year-old former Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, 26, has been “hurt” by questions about his commitment during his injury nightmare, according to Reds skipper Jordan Henderson. (Daily Express)

Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic is the latest Premier League player to move to China after leaving West Ham for Beijing Renhe for £4m. (Daily Mail)

AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has hinted that Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, 25, may have played his last match on loan for the Italian club. 

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren’s future could be decided in the club’s next two games at Stoke on 2 March and at home to Bournemouth three days later. (Guardian)

Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse has given the struggling Premier League club a boost by declaring himself fit after being out for six weeks with a groin injury. (Daily Mirror)

Referee Mark Clattenburg is under investigation by the referees’ governing body for potential conflict of interest after signing for an agency that also represents players. (The Times)

Joey Barton says he is “petrified” thinking about Everton’s future under manager Roberto Martinez. (BBC Radio 5 live)