Paper Talk: United’s Kane swoop; Arsenal’s Alexis replacement

Harry Kane: Gives thoughts on Old Trafford defeat

Manchester United are pondering a move for Harry Kane after his contract talks with Tottenham were shelved, while Arsenal have identified the man they want to replace Alexis Sanchez, according to Saturday’s papers.

 

UNITED MONITORING KANE’S CONTRACT STAND-OFF AT SPURS

Manchester United are reportedly watching Harry Kane’s contract stand-off with Tottenham with eagle eyes – and will make a move for the player if there’s little sign of an agreement being reached.

Kane was handed a new deal at Tottenham a year ago, but after the club tied down a number of their top players to new deals, talks over a new and improved contract with their star striker have been ongoing since the summer.

However, amid claims that AC Milan were planning a £50million January swoop, Kane’s long-time suitors Manchester United have once again been linked with his signature.

The Daily Mirror claims Kane is looking for a new deal worth around £100,000 a week, and with the talks put on ice until the summer, United are ready to step in and give the 23-year-old the money he wants.

And they say United are watching developments closely as they are looking for a new big-name striker at Old Trafford.

United boss Jose Mourinho wants a new striker with veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic only on a one year deal and they are eyeing up long term options.

Spurs, however, are in no hurry to sell Kane with his current deal set to expire in 2020.

However, unless they give the striker parity with some of his England colleagues – Jamie Vardy for example is reportedly on £120,000 a week at Leicester – they could find the lure of United becoming stronger for Kane, a player who in the past has always pledged his willingness to stay at Spurs for the long haul.

 

 

WENGER WANTS REUS IF ALEXIS LEAVES

Marco Reus: Arsenal link

Arsene Wenger will target a deal for Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus should Arsenal lose Alexis Sanchez this summer.

The Chile star will have just a year left on his current deal by the summer and although the two parties have held several rounds of talks, there’s yet to be an agreement reached over a raise to his current £130,000 a week terms.

And amid rising fears that a contract stand-off with force Arsenal to sell Sanchez, the Daily Mirror reports that Wenger is already drawing up a list of potential replacements – with Dortmund’s Reus his top target.

Dortmund’s £30m-rated wideman Reus, 27, who is just returning after a six month injury lay-off.

Wenger is a huge fan of Reus and has looked into trying to tempt him to the Premier League in the past but Dortmund have managed to keep him.

Having agreed a deal with Spain right-back Hector Bellerin, Arsenal are also hopeful they will tie down Mesut Ozil to a new deal worth £200,000-a-week after further talks in the international break.

But they are far less certain about Sanchez who has been eyed by Juventus and Manchester City, although the Serie A giants are unlikely to be able to match his demands.

 

AND THE REST

Jose Mourinho has criticised Ronald Koeman for talking about taking Memphis Depay on loan (Daily Mirror)

Wayne Rooney stayed in the England team hotel because he wanted to avoid being pictured out and about (Daily Mirror)

Arsene Wenger regrets some of his bust-ups with Jose Mourinho as he insists “even Jesus made mistakes” (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland boss David Moyes has admitted it was a mistake to sack Mike Phelan at Manchester United (Daily Mirror)

Jurgen Klopp has described his relief at finally landing Sadio Mane in the summer transfer window (Daily Mirror)

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson has warned Diego Costa he’s ready to “wrestle and fight” with him (Daily Mirror)

Antonio Conte has warned Chelsea’s rivals that Diego Costa is now a silent assassin after learning to control his temper (Daily Mirror)

New York City boss Patrick Vieira, 40, describes the prospect of one day managing Manchester City as “the fairy-tale story” (Daily Telegraph)

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is not making special plans for Dimitri Payet – just like when he faced Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (Daily Mirror)

MK Dons have not ruled out Frank Lampard from being their new manager (Daily Mirror)

Mamadou Sakho is disgusted with his treatment by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and wants to leave the club in January (The Sun)

Atletico Madrid insist they will not sell Antoine Griezmann to fierce rivals Real Madrid – or anyone else for that matter (The Sun)

Philippe Coutinho Liverpool

Barcelona have no interest in signing Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho (The Sun)

Eden Hazard insists he will not leave Chelsea until they have won the Premier League again (Daily Mail)

Bournemouth defender Steve Cook, 25, believes his 24-year-old team-mate Jack Wilshere – on loan from Arsenal – can guide them to European football (Daily Star)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants to bring in 21-year-old Spanish defender Alex Grimaldo from Benfica – but he is unlikely to meet the Portuguese club’s £38.5 asking price (Daily Mail)

Wayne Rooney’s knee injury was caused by slipping over an energy drink bottle as he emerged from the shower following England’s 3-0 victory over Scotland on Friday (Daily Mail)

Laurent Koscielny is set to sign a new four-year contract at Arsenal (Daily Star)

Italian giants Inter Milan have registered an interest in signing 36-year-old former Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard

Everton have joined the race for Torino sensation Andrea Belotti, who is also a target for Arsenal and Liverpool (Daily Star)

Liverpool boarded their flight to Southampton on Friday but midfielder Adam Lallana, who picked up an injury while on international duty with England, was nowhere to be seen (Daily Express)

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says he wants to keep Brazil midfielder Oscar, 25, at Stamford Bridge despite renewed interest from Italy (Evening Standard)

Alan Pardew insists Crystal Palace’s US owners are not losing patience with him despite a shocking 2016 (Daily Star)

Liverpool players have been enrolled on food education courses and provided with tailor-made nutrition programmes  as part of Jurgen Klopp’s ‘food revolution’ at the club (Daily Telegraph)

Chris Sutton has blasted the SFA for refusing to sack Gordon Strachan – branding them “weak” and “spineless” (Daily Record)