What the papers say
Paul Pogba has reportedly told his team-mates that he will leave Manchester United in January if Jose Mourinho is still manager. The Sun says the France World Cup winner is fed up of arguing with the Portuguese following a number of run-ins and has told people close to him that he is better off not playing in a Mourinho team.
Meanwhile, United scouts fear players will not want to sign with the club in the current climate, according to the Daily Express, which could leave plans Mourinho may have for a January shake-up dead in the water.
Arsenal are eyeing up a bid for Lille’s Nicolas Pepe, but could face competition both at home and abroad, the Daily Mirror reports. Having attracted rave reviews in France this season, the Gunners are said to be keeping close tabs on the winger. But Everton have already sent scouts to watch the Ivory Coast international, while Barcelona and Sevilla are also tracking the 23-year-old, the paper adds.
Premier League newcomers Wolves are considering a January bid for Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna, the Scottish Sun reports. Scouts were sent to look at the 21-year-old in action last weekend, in the Dons’ 1-0 win over Motherwell, as Wolves look to bolster their backline.
Midfielder Danny Drinkwater is not in any rush to leave Chelsea, despite not yet featuring under new manager Maurizio Sarri, the Daily Telegraph says. It is understood Drinkwater is prepared to wait until the end of the season to find the right move if it does not come up in January, having not yet even appeared on the bench.
Social media round-up
🗞 Barcelona are reportedly confident they have the cash, but the board is split on whether or not to sign Paul Pogba.
The latest gossip: https://t.co/2ejsEK1MWL pic.twitter.com/xIw7xflcyO
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 1, 2018
Barcelona eye stunning Pep Guardiola return https://t.co/f4Ifo773Ij pic.twitter.com/JXBeQPVK7a
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) October 1, 2018
Players to watch
Sam Lautenschutz: Chelsea are leading the race to snap up the 15-year-old Dutch star, according to The Sun. The Volendam midfielder has also attracted interest from Manchester City, Tottenham, Leicester and Charlton, as well as Dutch giants Ajax, the paper says.
Piotr Zielinski: Arsenal are considering the Napoli midfielder as a replacement for Aaron Ramsey, according to reports. Italian site Sportmediaset claims the Gunners have resigned themselves to losing Ramsey when his deal runs out next June, but says landing Zielinski could prove difficult as Napoli are unwilling to part with him.
Francesco Vicari: Rafa Benitez is reportedly keen to bring the SPAL defender to Newcastle in January. Sportmediaset says the 24-year-old is being closely followed by the Premier League club after impressing at the start of this season.
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