Paper Round: Manchester United battle City for Fred

It could be a busy summer, and a bitter one, across Manchester as United take on City in pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, reports The Mirror. Manchester City came close to signing him in January, but since then United's interest has ramped up and turned the 25-year-old Brazilian international's future into a bidding war. Fred is wanted by Jose Mourinho to replace Paul Pogba, and the Portuguese is also ready to sell Anthony Martial and Matteo Darmian, possibly both to Juventus.

Paper Round's view: While there is no reason to rule anything out, there has been no reliable suggestion from a credible journalist that United will get rid of Pogba. It is known, however, that Mourinho wants another midfielder to fill the hole left by Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick. City would remain favourites, with Pep Guardiola and a just-won Premier League trophy to convince him. Both Martial and Darmian seem like convenient ways to raise funds to improve this side across the pitch.

One team who could feasibly afford Pogba is Real Madrid, but the concerns of the Spanish side show why it isn't likely that any move will materialise this year, according to The Express. Real Madrid have never signed a Mino Raiola player, wanting to avoid his agitation in demanding every last penny, and also moving players from one club to another frequently. As such, Real have two demands. One is that Pogba reduces his wage demands, and the other is that he impresses at the World Cup in 2018.

Paper Round's view: There is no reason for Pogba to take a pay cut. He isn't distraught at Old Trafford and he knows more money is coming to improve the side in the summer. He is also happy in Manchester, so the two biggest factors which would force him to compromise aren't at play here. Real Madrid might feel the pressure to bid from their fans if he excels in the World Cup, but that would surely mean that they would put together an attractive package, regardless of Raiola.

Borussia Dortmund were unable to agree an option to buy when they loaned Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea, but still want to make the deal permanent in the summer, according to The Evening Standard. Despite the 24-year-old's ankle injury, the German side want to keep him, and Chelsea are asking for £50m, which is around £17m more than they paid Marseille for him. Chelsea loaned out Batshuayi to give him first team experience, so are in no hurry to sell him unless an exceptional bid is tabled.

Paper Round's view: Batshuayi has shown what he is capable of when given regular football and feels confident, with nine goals in 14 appearances since his loan move to Dortmund. His future might well depend on him. If he wants to remain in Dortmund then he could force through a move, but his attitude never dimmed at Chelsea. If he still wants to succeed there and sees only Olivier Giroud in his way, he might want one more chance to prove himself in England.

Norwich City look set to lose £25m-rated midfielder James Maddison to a Premier League club this season, reports The Telegraph. The destination depends on a side being able to offer Maddison his best chances of first-team football. That would appear to rule out Manchester City, one of the clubs looking at him, and make Spurs and Arsenal the favourites. Everton are another option, and both Brighton and Southampton would be interested regardless of their Premier League status in the summer.

Paper Round's view: The chance to move to the Premier League from The Championship is a rare one, so Maddison is unlikely to entertain offers from any clubs in the second tier should he be given alternatives. Both Arsenal and Spurs offer chances to young players, and Everton might, but there is a lack of clarity over the manager at all but Spurs. Spurs would seem to be the favourites by this logic, but a new manager could make Maddison a priority elsewhere.