MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 15:47:07| >> :60:707:707:

Thursday's papers: Kalidou Koulibaly, Alex Telles, Sadio Mane

The arrival of Alex Telles at Old Trafford is beginning to look inevitable, according to reports.

What the papers say

Alex Telles has made it clear he wants to leave Porto for the Premier League. The Daily Telegraph reports the Brazil left-back 'has signalled his determination' to shift to Manchester United. The 27-year-old has a £36.6 million release clause in his contract but will be free to foreign clubs from January, prompting Old Trafford bosses to attempt to secure him for less.

A successful loan spell at Roma has the Italian side preparing to make another bid for Chris Smalling, according to The Guardian. Manchester United have rejected an offer of £11m for the England defender, who spent last season in the Italian capital and who United believe is worth at least £18m. Roma manager Paulo Fonseca said at the weekend that the 30-year-old could join the Serie A team "in the next few days".

Wales v Croatia – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group E – Cardiff City Stadium
There is plenty of interest in Wales defender Joe Rodon (Nigel French/PA)

The paper also reports West Ham will try to beat United for the signature of Wales centre-back Joe Rodon. But the Swansea defender, 22, may end up being too expensive for the Hammers.

The Sun, which cites France's Le Parisien, says Liverpool are hoping to use Sadio Mane to convince his countryman Kalidou Koulibaly to join the Reds. Manchester City and Paris St Germain are interested in the Senegal international, who has made it clear he wants to leave Napoli. Mane is attempting to persuade the 29-year-old centre-back to make a home at Anfield, where he would be partnered with Virgil van Dijk.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Wesley Fofana: Sky Sports says West Ham have offered St Etienne £33m for the 19-year-old centre-back, who is also being targeted by Leicester.

Lucas Torreira: Atletico Madrid will make a bid for the Arsenal and Uruguay midfielder, 23, according to Spain's Mundo Deportivo.

ID:415622: cacheID:415622:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6081:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli pictured in August 2020
Read Next:
Monday's papers: Dele Alli, Antonio Rudiger, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!