Paper Round: Fergie's secret talks with Cristiano Ronaldo over Man Utd return

Fergie trying to convince Ronaldo to return to Manchester United – That’s the astonishing report from the Sun on Sunday today, who claim the former United boss had dinner with his former protégé after Real Madrid’s defeat to Schalke in midweek and told Ronaldo he should return to the club, in an effort to drag them out of the doldrums: “Informed sources revealed ex-United boss Fergie told Portugal ace Ronaldo he should come back to Old Trafford at the dinner,” writes Anthony Kastrinakis.

Paper Round’s view: Hmmm. Even if they did have dinner, and even if Fergie told Ronaldo to return to Old Trafford (what else would he do, as a director of the club?) we are still rather dubious whether this means a move is actually possible. Madrid are in a bit of trouble at the moment and if they do finish the season without securing the Champions League or Liga title then it seems hugely unlikely that president Florentino Perez would anger fans further by selling one of the best players in their history. File this one under ‘unlikely’.

Gareth Bale ‘willing to leave Real Madrid and could join United’ – An eyecatching claim from the Sunday Mirror this morning, with the paper reporting that having been booed and slated by Real Madrid fans, world record signing Bale is considering his future at the Bernabeu and could return to the Premier League. As the paper puts it: “He has always been open to the prospect of joining Manchester United and if they come calling this summer - as expected - it will prove hugely tempting.”

Paper Round’s view: According to the Mirror, Bale wants his young daughter to be educated in Britain and with Madrid fans turning on him, a parting of the ways seems more likely than ever. Madrid president Perez is known to be a big fan of his record signing and wants him to remain in place, but if a swap deal with David De Gea could be arranged…

- - -

Celtic plotting Steven Gerrard coup – The Scottish champions are already planning to sign Gerrard on loan next January from LA Galaxy, the Sunday People reports. “Sunday People Sport understands conversations have been held in the corridors of power at Celtic Park about offering him a short stint in the Scottish Premiership,” the paper reports.

Paper Round’s view: Liverpool have already spoken about getting Gerrard back on a short-term loan at the start of 2016 and if that is a possibility then Celtic can forget about it. However, Brendan Rodgers is quickly phasing his captain out and probably won’t need him next January. If Liverpool don’t show an interest, then Celtic could well capitalise as Gerrard has said he won't join another Premier League side.

- - -

Ings to snub Liverpool for Manchester United – For some weeks it’s seemed likely that Liverpool would sign Danny Ings from Burnley when his contract expires, despite interest from David Moyes at Real Sociedad. But now there is another interested party - the Daily Star Sunday says Manchester United could ditch Radamel Falcao and replace him with free-agent Ings,

Paper Round’s view: Sending Falcao back to Monaco is the easy part. The real problem comes in finding his replacement and it is doubtful that Ings is the right man. United have money to throw around – will they really reinforce with a bargain signing from Burnley? The report says Chelsea and Manchester City have also been scouting the striker, but to us, Liverpool still looks the most likely destination.

Douglas Costa to finally sign for Chelsea – It’s a rumour that’s been bubbling along for months and months now, but the Sunday Sun reports that Chelsea will sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Douglas Costa this summer for £18m subject to injuries. “Costa has previously suffered knee problems but is confident of proving his fitness before sealing his dream move to Stamford Bridge.”

Paper Round’s view: Do Chelsea really need another wide attacker? They seem well stocked already with Eden Hazard, Willian and Juan Cuadrado but Costa would certainly add quality to the squad, even if he wouldn’t demand a place in the starting XI. At £18m it’s not too expensive so if he is willing to sit on the bench a bit, this could well happen.