UPDATED Morning/Good Afternoon " Today's Football Paper Tal

PAPER TALK

10/12/15

Here's a round-up of some of the top transfer lines leading this morning's back pages...

Ex-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is not keen on returning to Swansea to replace the sacked Garry Monk because he's got his mind set on the England job next summer. (The Times)

Manchester United and Chelsea are set to fight it out for the signature of West Brom forward Saido Berahino in January. (Daily Express)

Carlo Ancelotti could bring Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain with him if he becomes Manchester United's manager. (Daily Star)


Arsenal are in the running to sign Boca Juniors striker Jonathan Calleri, who has previously been linked with Chelsea and Inter Milan. (Daily Star)

Liverpool 'agree' Grosskreutz deal (Takvim)
Arsenal eye Calleri (Daily Star)
Ronaldo: I'm not leaving Real
Debuchy considering Arsenal exit
Griezmann rules out PL move
Wijnaldum backs McClaren

REDS 'AGREE' GROSSKREUTZ DEAL

Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Galatasaray’s Kevin Grosskreutz, according to Turkish newspaper Takvim.

The Germany international, who played under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, has reportedly accepted a three-year contract with Liverpool, but the Reds still need to finalise a transfer fee with Galatasaray.

Grosskreutz only joined the Turkish side over the summer, but is yet to play for the club after an administrative error meant he was not registered with FIFA in time to meet the transfer deadline.

TOP THREE OR THE SACK FOR LVG

Louis van Gaal faces the sack at Manchester United if the club fails to finish in the top three, according to the Daily Express.

The Dutchman has a contract at Old Trafford until 2017, but may not last that long if he can’t secure Champions League football for next season.

The paper offers the usual candidates as potential replacements, with Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola and Massimiliano Allegri reportedly the top three choices should van Gaal depart.





NAISMITH ON EVERTON EXIT

As we brought you yesterday, Steven Naismith is considering his future at Everton ahead of the January window - here he speaks to Sky Sports News HQ on the transfer rumours, Everton's aims for the season and more...






FOXES CONSIDER DE JONG MOVE

Top of the table Leicester City are weighing up a January move for out of favour midfielder Nigel De Jong, according to Calciomercato.

The 30-year-old former Manchester City player has struggled for playing time under AC Milan manager Sinisa Mihajlovic, and the Foxes are looking to replace Gokhan Inler for the second half of the season.

PARDEW NOT SURPRISED AT MCARTHUR LINK

Alan Pardew is not surprised James McArthur has been linked with a move to Arsenal, saying the Crystal Palace midfielder is a “great team player”.

“James has been outstanding since I’ve come to Palace,” Pardew told the Croydon Advertiser. "I always admired him at Wigan, and it’s not a surprise to me he’s been linked to a top club.

“He plays international football for Scotland and he plays a very high level of football for us, so it’s not a testament to Palace, it’s more a testament to James. He’s a great team player.”

ALLARDYCE SCOUTING MISSION

Sunderland are one of 12 Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on French club Lorient, with defender Lamine Kone believed to be the focus of the scouts’ attention.

The Ivory Coast international was watched by boss Sam Allardyce last month against PSG and the centre-half is thought to be keen on a move to England, but West Ham are also keeping tabs and could rival Sunderland.

MARTINEZ IN NAISMITH TALKS

After Steven Naismith told us yesterday he was considering his future at Everton, manager Roberto Martinez is now set for talks with his striker, saying at his pre-Norwich press conference:

"That's something we need to look into whenever that situation arises. It happened in August, it wasn't the right time. We're going to see how the next three or four weeks go.

"Steven is a very intelligent man, intelligent footballer, and I think he's got an incredible degree of confidence. It is true it's been very frustrating for certain players in those attacking positions due to the fact some of the players that are playing in those roles have reached an incredible level of form. I think as a player you understand that."

Arsenal want to sign Deportivo La Coruna's Spanish winger Lucas Pérez. (Source: El Ideal Gallego)

Leicester City want to sign former Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong from AC Milan

Manchester United have joined Spurs in showing a strong interest in Fulham's 19-year-old forward Moussa Dembélé. (Source: Evening Standard)

SWANSEA SACK MONK

Swansea City have sacked manager Garry Monk after 22 months in charge.

Announcing Monk's departure on Wednesday, chairman Huw Jenkins said: "The decision has been made very reluctantly and with a heavy heart.

"To find ourselves in our current situation, from where we were in the first week of September, and considering the drop of performance levels and run of results over the last three months, it has brought us to this unfortunate decision today."

HEARTS PLEASED WITH WALKER

More on Jamie Walker, who yesterday agreed a new Hearts contract that will keep him at the club until 2018.

Walker, 22, has established himself as a key player at Tynecastle, and boss Robbie Neilson is pleased the academy graduate has committed his future to the club.

“It works well for both parties,” Neilson said. “Jamie’s a big prospect at the club, played a lot of games and there’s been interest in him over the years. To get him tied up gives us security but it also gives Jamie security as well.”