The transfer window for all of Europe’s big five leagues is closed, but that doesn’t stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January.
Sanchez future ‘in doubt’ after United snub
Manchester United’s Alexis Sanchez is not a happy man with his future at the club “in serious doubt,” according to the Mirror.
Former Arsenal star Sanchez was dropped from the squad for United’s defeat to West Ham and was “left fuming” by the decision, it reports.
Sanchez “was stunned by his exclusion” and “made it clear to everyone behind the scenes during the game how angry and upset he was.”
But the Mirror says United “could struggle to offload him because he earns in excess of £500,000 a week at Old Trafford.”
As speculation over the future of manager Jose Mourinho grows, the Mirror reports that a number of Old Trafford players are “walking a contract tightrope.”
It says that with David De Gea, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia in the final year of their deals, “the uncertainty surrounding Mourinho’s future is complicating the business of agreeing new long-term contracts.”
United have the option of 12-month extensions for De Gea, Martial, Smalling, Jones and Valencia, but Shaw, Mata, Herrera and Young would be free to leave in the summer if they do not agree deals.
Reports have suggested De Gea is close to agreeing a contract that would pay him around £350,000 a week, while United “are desperate to secure the long-term futures of Martial and Shaw.”
In the meantime, the Mirror says midfielder Paul Pogba “is not interested in trying to repair his broken relationship with Mourinho and has his heart set on a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.”
Liverpool ready to head race for Ramsey
With Aaron Ramsey all but certain to leave Arsenal after contract talks broke down, the Mirror reports that Liverpool “will lead the chase” for him.
It says Wales international midfielder Ramsey had been a summer target for Jurgen Klopp, who is ready to make a second attempt to sign him.
Arsenal rebuffed Klopp’s interest then but, after talks ground to a halt, would rather sell him in January than see him leave on a free transfer.
The Mirror says the Liverpool boss will be back again for 27-year-old Ramsey, who “is excited at the opportunity of playing under him.”
But he is set to stay at Arsenal until the end of the season, when he could choose from a number of potential destinations.
The Mail says those could include Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus.
Tap-ins
— Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, a target for Tottenham in the summer, could leave Villa Park despite putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract, the Mirror reports.
It says Grealish “has a £30 million buyout clause in his deal” and could go to a Premier League club willing to meet that if Villa fail to win promotion, with Spurs remaining interested.
— Newcastle United are having a tough time, and the Sun reports that Rafa Benitez wants to strengthen his side with SPAL defender Francesco Vicari.
Vicari, a 24-year-old centre-back, was linked with West Ham last year after helping SPAL reach and survive in Serie A.