Paper Round: China or MLS for John Terry as Chelsea skipper bids farewell to Stamford Bridge

The announcement that John Terry will leave Chelsea at the end of the season could spark a contract bidding war for the defender. The 36-year-old must ponder whether he still craves Premier League football, a European adventure or a lucrative venture further afield in China or USA. The Daily Express says Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua would be willing the pay the former England captain £20m a year. MLS sides are also likely to come in with tempting offers for Terry.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that TEN English clubs will make a move for Terry. Said number comes from the amount of sides who reportedly made an offer for the defender in January. Fronting the list are Bournemouth and West Brom. Eddie Howe attempted to bring Terry to Bournemouth in January after losing Nathan Ake to Chelsea, while Tony Pulis openly expressed his interest in bringing him to the Hawthorns.

Paper Round’s view: Much to ponder for Terry, and he will surely have drifted off during his time on the bench this season wondering where he should be plying his trade. There are plenty of factors which will come into the move – does he want to uproot his family and move abroad? There is nothing left in domestic football that Terry can achieve in England, so it may well be wishful thinking for West Brom and Bournemouth. A move to the US seems the attractive option – but who comes in for him stateside will likely sway his decision either way.

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A host of strikers have been linked with Manchester United by the papers overnight. The Daily Mail claims Jose Mourinho has put Antoine Griezmann and Romelu Lukaku top of the wish list, while the Metro reports that the United boss is keen on Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele. Mourinho has often bemoaned United’s killer instinct up front this season, and despite the efforts of Marcus Rashford against Chelsea this weekend – and the 28 goals Zlatan Ibrahimovic has contributed this season – it appears the Old Trafford club will bring in reinforcements this summer.

Paper Round’s view: United will have ten strikers come summer if the papers are to be believed. Of course, it’s gossip and the likelihood of each target heading to Manchester is ultimately unknown. The Dembele rumour feels like a stretch, having only joined from Rennes last summer. The Griezmann link will not die, but appears to have some legs, and similarly Lukaku is looking for a Champions League adventure. United have to get there first, but if they do, then acquiring one of these two seems very likely.

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AC Milan will attempt to prise Cesc Fabregas away from Chelsea this summer, according to the Mirror. The 29-year-old midfielder has two years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, but Antonio Conte is reportedly willing to listen to offers for the Spaniard, who has started just nine Premier League games this season – making 14 appearances off the bench. Fabregas wants to stay and fight for his place, but Milan look set to make a fresh bid for the World Cup winner as Chelsea look to revamp their midfield.

Paper Round’s view: Chelsea have been remarkably consistent when it comes to picking the same players, but one area of contention has been in midfield alongside N’Golo Kante. For the most part, it has been Fabregas or Nemanja Matic, but Conte is likely to bring in a player this summer who can forge a formidable partnership with Kante as they look to combine another title push with Champions League football. Fabregas is a more-than capable midfielder, but something hasn’t quite worked under Conte. He could well stay to fight for his place, but it would be another season in and out of the starting XI.