Paper Round: Jose Mourinho set to axe Juan Mata for a second time in brutal Manchester United cull

Juan Mata's status at Man United is under threat, according to the Mirror. The report says that Espanyol and range of other La Liga clubs are on alert after continued talk of his departure under new manager Jose Mourinho grows stronger. Mourinho controversially sold Mata to Manchester United in 2014 at Chelsea, and may face the same fate as it is still unclear where he fits into Jose Mourinho's current plans.

Espanyol are said to be the beneficiaries of a recent investment by Chinese backers, giving them the funds to splash in this window. Mata is not the only man who could be facing the exit door at Old Trafford with Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones all unclear about what role - if any - they will be handed under the 'Special One'.

Paper Round's view: It's all down towards structure, rather than attitude. Of all the creative flourishes of Juan Mata, it's his defensive output that has put off Mourinho. It's almost cliché how Mata abides to the 'continental creative' stereotype of player, despite his attempts to add more hard-nosed defensive running to his style. Mourinho may give him one more chance, but it's very likely he could be departing sooner rather than later.

Liverpool have targeted central defender Jeremy Mathieu, according to the Sun. The report says Mathieu will try to be drafted into the Reds, due to a significant lack of fit defensive personnel. With Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez having pre-season injury setbacks and Martin Skrtel departing for Fenerbahce, the club are looking at the 32-year-old as a short term fill-in. Mathieu also has an offer from Besiktas on the table, should he turn down Liverpool.

Paper Round's view: The defensive capabilities of Liverpool will continue to be an issue over the next season. Gomez has the tools to turn into a brilliant asset, but will take time in needing to develop those instincts. Expect another rocky season down back, but Jeremy Mathieu will go a very long way to plugging holes in the short term.

Inter Milan have made a late move for Everton and Leicester target Axel Witsel. According to the Sun, Inter will try to secure the Belgian international even despite Everton being at an advanced stage in talks over him. Fellow Serie A club Napoli appeared at one stage favourties sign him, before reneging and letting Everton carry on with it's £30 million bid. Leicester are also interested, after N'Golo Kante left for Chelsea for £32 million and are searching for adequate midfield reinforcements.

Paper Round's view: What Witsel could offer Premier League teams, is a midfield metronome that's proven at international and European level. £30 million is a steep fee for any one player, but considering Leicester and Everton are grasping at their last chance to make Champions League before the big clubs rise again, it's an investment that's worthwhile.

Chelsea will attempt to sign Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi, according to the Mirror. The German international has become a target for the Premier League giants, after Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci is set to stay at the Serie A club. Chelsea previously had dialogue with Valencia this summer over negotiations for the now staying Andre Gomes, with an expectation that Mustafi may be worth upward of £25 million on the market.

Paper Round's view: Mustafi's evolution as a player has been a long time coming - his early years at Everton went nowhere before blooming at Sampdoria and eventually getting a national first team call-up with his work at Valencia. Is only 24 and still has a lot to learn, but it would be a good investment for the London club in the long term.