Paper Round: Barca join Alderweireld hunt, Di Maria and Dzeko linked with Premier League returns

Barcelona have set their sights on a January move for Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld – the Mirror reports. Barca are in the midst of a defensive crisis with Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet their only two fit centre-backs ahead of a key week with matches against Sevilla, Inter and Real Madrid. Alderweireld’s contract at Spurs runs out in the summer, meaning he would be available for a cut-price fee in January. Manchester United have long been linked with the Belgian.

Paper Round’s view: Makes sense for all parties, but just depends how much Spurs can get for him. One downside is for Barca is that he would be cup-tied in Europe, but it would be worth it in the long run. Expect United to go chasing in January as well.

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Southampton, Crystal Palace and Cardiff are all on ‘red alert’ after Edin Dzeko expressed a willingness to return to the Premier League – the Mirror reports. The former Manchester City striker turned down a move to Chelsea back in January, and has scored 30 goals in 78 games since joining Roma in 2016. Rumours linking the Bosnian with a return to England essentially revolve around quotes where he said: “You never know, we’ll see. I love English football.”

Paper Round’s view: This, er, what? Southampton, Palace and Cardiff? Dzeko has started seven of Roma’s eight Serie A games this season, as well as both of their Champions League matches. Any move back to England will only happen when Cardiff are back in the Championship, i.e. From next season for the rest of the time.

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Angel Di Maria is another player linked with a move back to the Premier League, with the Mirror reporting the Argentine wants to leave PSG in the summer. The 30-year-old endured a difficult spell at Manchester United, but would be open to a return to England as he looks to run his contract down in Paris

Paper Round’s view: Di Maria has actually impressed for PSG this season, scoring three and assisting a further three in Ligue 1. There is still a place for him in such a forward-heavy side, it would seem, but perhaps he can see that the end is nigh.

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Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake is attracting interest from several big Premier League clubs, according to the Telegraph. In the race to sign the 20-year-old, it is Chelsea who reportedly hold the key, as they have a gentlemen’s agreement that would allow them to re-sign Ake for around £40m, having initially sold him for £20m. Tottenham and Manchester United are both said to be keen on Ake.

Paper Round’s view: Bournemouth’s solid start to the Premier League season was always going to put them in the spotlight, but £40m for Ake seems excessive. More than anything, Ake is an integral member of the Bournemouth squad, having played all but seven minutes in the Premier League last season, and continuing to be an ever-present this term. It’s doubtful he would be so cherished elsewhere.