Paper Talk: Tottenham turn to Spain star as Eriksen replacement

Isco TEAMtalk

Tottenham are lining up a Spain star to replace Chistian Eriksen, while Max Allegri is on the brink of landing a massive new job – all in Thursday’s papers.

 

TOTTENHAM READY TO SWAP ERIKSEN FOR ISCO

Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Spain star Isco if Christian Eriksen leaves the club for Real Madrid in January.

The Denmark star is expected to see out his current contract next summer and move on a free transfer, although there is still talk that Spurs could offload him in January.

Any fee generated from his sale, which could be around £30million, will almost certainly go towards buying a replacement and reports on Spain suggest that Isco could be Mauricio Pochettino’s top target.

El Desmarque, as reported by the Daily Express, claims that Spurs are in pole position for the 27-year-old – although that will depend on Eriksen’s proposed switch to the Bernabeu.

But Tottenham will face competition from Bayern Munich for the playmaker, who has scored 48 goals and added 52 assists in 280 appearances for Real Madrid.

Although not technically classed as a swap deal, the switch for both players appears to be the best for all parties, with Isco getting the game time he craves while Eriksen fulfills his wish for a new challenge.

AND THE REST

Manchester United opted against a big-money move for Neymar this summer due to fears over a lack of dedication and his father’s ‘money-obsessed’ personality (Daily Mail)

Manchester United want six new signings over the next two transfer windows to halt an unrelenting slide away from their rivals (Daily Mail)

Newcastle will offer a new contract to Matty Longstaff in the coming days but remain at an impasse over a deal for his brother Sean, a Manchester United target (Daily Mail)

Massimiliano Allegri is ‘very close’ to agreeing a deal to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United’s manager, according to reports (Daily Mail)

Max Allegri TEAMtalk

Real Madrid are keen on landing Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante in a player-plus-cash deal involving James Rodriguez (Daily Mail)

UEFA are considering stripping Istanbul of this season’s Champions League final over Turkey’s military conflict with Kurdish fighters in northern Syria (Daily Mail)

Manchester United chiefs will prevent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from signing Mario Mandzukic unless the Juventus striker lowers his wage demands (The Sun)

Mario Mandzukic TEAMtalk

Former United midfielder Paul Ince says it is difficult to see how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is improving the club (The Sun)

Lazio have criticised UEFA for a “heavy penalisation” after they were hit with a part-stadium closure for their Europa League game against Celtic due to racist behaviour from supporters.

England U21 boss Aidy Boothroyd says Arsenal starlet Buyako Saka is “on the radar” following his impressive displays for the Gunners this term (The Sun)

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Olympiakos ace Daniel Podence (The Sun)

Premier League clubs have been reassured that there are no firm plans to strip the division of the fourth automatic Champions League place (The Sun)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to risk throwing in half-fit Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Anthony Martial this week in a desperate bid to save Manchester United’s season (The Sun)

Anthony Martial TEAMtalk

Chelsea are keen on Linfield teenage sensation Charlie Allen but face a fight with Southampton and Tottenham to sign the talented midfielder (The Sun)

Manchester United could be set to send out teenage starlets Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner on loan in January (The Sun)

Former Toffees forward Tony Cottee says Marco Silva will be facing “serious questions” about his future if Everton lose to West Ham on Saturday (Daily Mirror)

Mesut Ozil featured in Arsenal’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Reading over the international break, leading to suggestions he could be named in the squad to face Sheffield United on Monday (Daily Mirror)

Mesut Ozil TEAMtalk

The upcoming Spanish Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid is increasingly likely to be postponed amid worries over the political unrest in Catalonia (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United have reportedly taken the remarkable step of hiring “spying firms” to monitor potential signings (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal outcast Mohamed Elneny could be handed an escape route from his Besiktas loan nightmare as AC Milan plot a January move (Daily Mirror)

Mohamed Elneny TEAMtalk

Kieran Tierney is set to make his first league start for Arsenal against Sheffield United after struggling with injuries (Daily Express)

Arsenal are reportedly set to try and sign Lucas Vazquez in January as the Real Madrid star becomes increasingly frustrated in Spain (Daily Express)

Billy Gilmour has revealed Chelsea boss Frank Lampard turned down his request for a loan move before the start of the season (Daily Express)

Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon returned to training with Tottenham ahead of the match against Watford (Daily Express)

Giovani Lo Celso TEAMtalk

Celtic are braced for a January bidding war for red-hot hitman Odsonne Edouard, with interest coming from Roma, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon and Lazio (Daily Record)

Celtic’s Karamoko Dembele, 16, has chosen to play for England instead of Scotland – for now (Scottish Sun)

Scotland’s top referees are set to be snubbed for major European and international games because they don’t use VAR (Scottish Sun)