Paper Talk: United scout Celtic star; Serie A suitor for Sturridge

Manchester United are preparing a move for Celtic starlet Moussa Demble and there’s a new Serie A suitor for Daniel Sturridge.

UNITED LEAD HUNT FOR DEMBELE

Manchester United are lining up a move for Moussa Dembele, according to a report.

The Celtic striker, who arrived from Fulham in the summer on a free transfer, has hit the ground running north of the border and he has scored 16 goals in 24 appearances for the Hoops.

United have been alerted to his impressive form and sent scout David Friio to see the 20-year-old play and score twice for France’s Under 21 side against England on Monday night.

The Daily Mail claim United are planning a January bid for the player, who cost Celtic just £500,000 in compensation in June 2016.

Jose Mourinho is believed to be a fan of Dembele and watched him three times last season prior to his move to Parkhead. Celtic though will fight hard to keep hold of the youngster, who signed a four-year deal.

United are reported to have a long standing interest in the player, who almost signed for Tottenham in January, are not the only team watching Dembele though with scouts from Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich at Bondoufle on Monday.

.@MDembele_10 is on fire! The @celticfc star bagged two against the #YoungLions as his star continues to rise.? https://t.co/biTAXiPprw

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) November 15, 2016

He has scored three times in the Champions League – including two goals against Pep Guardiola’s Man City side and he also scored the first Old Firm league hat-trick since 1966 as Celtic beat Rangers 5-1 in September.

AC MILAN JOIN HUDDLE FOR STURRIDGE

Serie A outfit AC Milan are the latest club to be linked with a move for Liverpool misfit Daniel Sturridge.

The striker, who has not scored in the Premier League this season, has been linked with Stoke, West Ham and Tottenham but now Calciomercato report that Milan want to take the 27-year-old striker.

The Daily Mirror claimed that Jurgen Klopp had given the green light to sell the England man and a fee of £28million has been mooted and the Italian source is reporting a similar story.

Milan though will have to offload Carlos Bacca to fund any move for Sturridge, while Klopp will also have to find a replacement too with Sadio Mane away on international duty too.

The £120,000-a-week marksman has been out for favour recently and his four goals this season have all been in the EFL Cup.

Klopp has stressed the need to sign an attacker in January after the injury to Danny Ings and Mane’s international involvement and so the idea of selling Sturridge doesn’t make sense.

Sturridge will surely be the man to fill in when Mane leaves for Gabon for three weeks in January and so offloading him would be a strange move.

AND THE REST

Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier. (Daily Mirror)

Frank Lampard is ready to carry on playing after quitting New York City FC. The 38-year-old has already had offers, with two MLS clubs – believed to be Orlando City and LA Galaxy. (Daily Mirror)

Everton face losing out in their bid to secure a loan deal for out-of-favour Manchester United winger Memphis Depay. (Daily Mirror)

Italy defender Matteo Darmian has revealed he doesn’t know why he is not playing for Manchester United – and admitted he could leave in January. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea have offered highly-rated England U20 defender Fankaty Dabo a new long-term deal. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United have admitted defeat in their pursuit of Lionel Messi, 29, and believe rivals City would be favourites to sign the forward if he was to leave Barcelona. (Sun)

Gareth Southgate, 46, will be confirmed as England’s next permanent manager before the end of the month on a four-year contract. (Guardian)

England forward Wayne Rooney, 31, is set to be left out of the Manchester United team to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday. (Daily Mirror)

United manager Jose Mourinho has targeted £25m Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj, 22, as he prepares to allow Chris Smalling and Matteo Darmian to leave. (Daily Star)

Mourinho may have to abandon a move for Monaco full-back Fabinho, 23, because of the Ligue 1 side’s likely Champions League progress.(Manchester Evening News)

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says he plans to use the January transfer window for long-term signings – dampening speculation over a potential short-term move for 36-year-old midfielder Steven Gerrard, who is leaving LA Galaxy. (Daily Mail)

Sadio Mane could have angered his adoring Liverpool fans by revealing El Hadji Diouf is his footballing idol. (Star)

David Moyes will not walk out on Sunderland to take over as Scotland boss. (Star)

Jose Mourinho has reportedly told Manchester United bigwigs to get him Real Madrid star James Rodriguez. (Star)

West Ham are trying to cut short the loan deal of Simone Zaza, 25, to allow them to bring in a new striker in January.(ESPN)

Manchester United have stepped up their interest in 23-year-old Paris St-Germain defender Serge Aurier. (Info Canal Plus)

Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore, 21, is wanted by French side Lyon. (Foot Mercato)

Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired as Manchester United manager in 2013, is needed to help get Scottish football out of the doldrums, says former Scotland striker Ally McCoist. (Sky Sports)

Chelsea’s out-of-favour defender Branislav Ivanovic, 32, is a potential transfer target for Barcelona. (Mundo Deportivo)

West Brom are planning a fresh move in January for 23-year-old Leicester winger Jeffrey Schlupp. (Daily Mirror)

Hull City want a takeover to be completed before the start of the January transfer window. Four parties remain interested in a deal. (Sky Sports)

Bournemouth are watching Portsmouth’s 19-year-old striker Conor Chaplin’s progress along with a host of Championship clubs. (Sun)