Thursdays Paper Football Roundabout

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Paper Gossip (Thurs July 2)


DAILY MIRROR
•Manchester United are trying to sell striker Robin van Persie in secret, claims former Netherlands forward Pierre van Hooijdonk who believes his compatriot was offered to Fenerbahce as early as January.
•Chelsea have decided not to sell striker Loic Remy who is believed to be attracting interest from Swansea, West Ham and Crystal Palace.
•Stoke are trying to convince Xherdan Shaqiri to join them after having a £12m bid accepted by Inter Milan.
•Aston Villa have included striker Christian Benteke in their kit launch teaser - despite continued interest from Liverpool and Tottenham.
•West Ham have lined up Dynamo Kiev defender Aleksandar Dragovic in case they miss out on Monaco's Aymen Abdennour. The 25-year-old Tunisian has also attracted interest from Newcastle and Liverpool.
•Tottenham are stepping up their efforts to land Toby Alderweireld - but Southampton are confident of winning the tug-of-war for the Atletico Madrid defender who was on loan at St Mary's last season.
•Meanwhile, Saints and neighbours Bournemouth are involved in a tug-of-war for St Etienne's ex-Leeds winger Max Gradel.
•Ilkay Gundogan has dashed Manchester United's hopes of signing him, by penning a new deal at German side Borussia Dortmund.
•Midfielder Abou Diaby, 29, is in talks with MLS side FC Dallas after being released by Arsenal.
•Atletico Madrid have become the latest club to move for unsettled Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado.

THE SUN
•Manchester City are set to pursue a £25million swoop for Bayer Leverkusen's 25-year-old Germany winger Karim Bellarabi.
•Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller has rejected speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.
•Meanwhile, United winger Ashley Young has agreed a new three-year deal at Old Trafford.
•Chelsea are demanding £14.25m from Atletico Madrid to re-sign left back Filipe Luis after just one season at Stamford Bridge.
•Aston Villa are ready to make a £6.5million move for Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who they see as a replacement for England international Fabian Delph who is being linked with Manchester City.
•Villa have made a £1.1million bid for Ajax's Denmark international full-back Nicolai Boilesen, 23.

DAILY STAR
•Bolton chief Neil Lennon is Leicester's top target to replace axed boss Nigel Pearson.
•Petr Cech has admitted he clashed with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho over his move to Arsenal.

THE EXPRESS
•David de Gea's move to Real Madrid has been held up by Manchester United's interest in Sergio Ramos.
•Liverpool and Tottenham's pursuit of Juventus star Fernando Llorente could be overtaken by Real Madrid, whose new manager Rafa Benitez wants to sign the 30-year-old striker.
•Striker Thomas Muller, 25, "feels fine at Bayern Munich" after reports claimed Manchester United had offered a package worth £120m in fees and wages for him.
•Leicester target Neil Lennon has reportedly a gentlemen's agreement with Bolton chairman Phil Gartside that would allow him to leave the club for approximately £500,000 compensation - should a Premier League side seek his services as manager.

DAILY MAIL
•Barcelona have stepped up their chase of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba who is also wanted by Manchester City and Paris St Germain.
•Manchester City's hopes of signing Kevin De Bruyne have been lifted with the former Chelsea playmaker set to ask Wolfsburg to listen to offers for him.
•West Ham remain keen to bring Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson back on loan following his successful spell last season.
•Nathaniel Clyne has urged Liverpool to improve on last season after joining the Reds for £12.5m from Southampton.

THE TELEGRAPH
•Chelsea are set to make an improved £8m offer for Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
•Manchester United are holding out for £5m after being offered £3.5m by Turkish side Fenerbahce for the Portugal winger Nani.
•West Ham have been told they will have to bid more than £20m for Dynamo Kiev's 24-year-old defender Aleksandar Dragovic.

THE GUARDIAN
•Monaco forward Radamel Falcao, 29, has completed the formalities of his move to Chelsea and will link up with his new club on their pre-season tour of North America, according to his family.
•Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon, 44, is the early front-runner to take charge at Leicester City following Nigel Pearson's dismissal.