Paper Round: Jose Mourinho fears Cristiano Ronaldo is using Man Utd to get new Real Madrid deal

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho fears that Cristiano Ronaldo may be using the club to engineer himself a new deal at Real Madrid. The Express reports that United initially had no intention of bringing Ronaldo back to Old Trafford this summer, and though it’s claimed he is keen on a return, Mourinho has his doubts over whether he would fit into his plans having had a strained relationship with the forward during his time as Real boss.

However, The Sun are reporting that Ronaldo will not hold his old club to ransom, and will not make any huge wage demands in case it complicates the potential deal. The paper also claims that while PSG have made a £122m offer for the 32-year-old, Ronaldo has told his agent Jorge Mendes to work on a move back to Old Trafford.

Paper Round’s view: It’s surely the general consensus that Ronaldo isn’t going anywhere, right? United would do well to avoid the Ronaldo-shaped distraction and remain focused on key targets that were sought long before this saga came to light.

However, if he really is available, then sure, go for him - break the bank in the process - but if United even get a whiff that the deal is dead in the water then they would be wise not to get roped into the media circus.

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Dani Alves has started discussions with Juventus regarding the termination of his contract at the club, the Guardian reports. The Brazilian has one year left on his current deal with the Serie A champions, but the right-back is working on the possibility of leaving on a free as he sets his sights on England. The defender is set to discuss a two-year deal with Manchester City – with Alves keen on a reunion with Pep Guardiola - while Chelsea are also said to be interested.

Paper Round’s view: What a coup this would be for the Premier League. But one has to ask, why does Alves want to leave the Champions League finalists? He remains one of the best full-backs in the world and looks to be getting better with age given his recent performances. Juve’s loss would be City or Chelsea’s gain. But it looks as though Guardiola is the man who holds the key, and the answer to that question.

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Back to the Express, who report that Manchester City are not in the hunt for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It was claimed on Monday that City joined Liverpool in the race to sign the Gabon international, but the paper says sources close to the club have dismissed these rumours.

Paper Round’s view: It was startling to see City linked with Aubameyang on Monday. With Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, what were they to do with Aubameyang too? It would have been a serious overload for a club who have an abundance of attacking players. However, that being said, the pursuit of Alexis Sanchez still makes sense. The Chilean can play a number of roles, and it would be a terrifying prospect to think of Sanchez playing off one of Aguero or Jesus next season. Let alone the thought of Sterling, Silva 1, Silva 2, Sane and De Bruyne helping them out...

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