Paper Round: Spurs' Christian Eriksen dilemma, Man Utd players want Ole Gunnar Solskjaer full-time

Tottenham are exploring the possibility of letting Christian Eriksen’s contract run down, according to the Mail. The 26-year-old midfielder has 18 months left on his current deal, and wants to double his reported £70,000-a-week salary. Spurs accept it would take at least £50m to find a player worthy of replacing Eriksen, but remain hopeful an extension can still be agreed with the Dane.

Paper Round’s view: It is only fair Eriksen becomes one of Spurs’ top earners, and with Harry Kane bringing home a reported £200,000-a-week, it was only going to be a matter of time before other integral first-team players wanted better deals for themselves. At 26, it would be a shock if Spurs let Eriksen’s contract run out.

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Meanwhile, the Independent report Real Madrid are preparing a £100m bid for Eriksen in the summer. The paper claims Real see Eriksen as more attainable than Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, while the Dane is said to be interested in sampling a different league, despite being very happy at Spurs. The Indy also say Spurs are willing to offer Eriksen more than £200,000 a week to stay.

Paper Round’s view: Real are in need of a playmaker, but also a new Galactico to please the masses. Both Hazard and Eriksen fit the bill, but it appears the former would be easier to tempt, having flirted with the club for quite a while now.

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Manchester United’s players want interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed on a full-time basis, according to the Mirror. After five wins from five, it is claimed the Norwegian’s man-management is going down particularly well with United’s forwards, who have reportedly been told to play with freedom and express themselves, having been ‘shackled’ by previous boss Jose Mourinho.

Paper Round’s view: It’s just a tweet, by Marcus Rashford’s PR team no doubt, but the below photo is an indication of the positive effect Solskjaer is having on United’s attacking players. Sure there are greater obstacles to come, but he has reinvigorated the players, and you have to wonder if he does not get the permanent job, whether he would actually be willing to return as a first-team coach and relinquish his job at Molde. Only time will tell.

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Sevilla are stepping up their attempts to sign Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata in January, the Mail reports. The Spaniard’s agent is said to be in Seville to hold talks, with Morata keen to make the move this month.

Paper Round’s view: It all started so serenely for Morata at Chelsea, but it quickly went downhill and it all now seems beyond the point where he will have an upturn in form and enjoy a fruitful spell at Stamford Bridge. It’s better to end this affair quickly, for few will doubt, in the right setup, that he can rediscover his confidence.