Football news - Paper Round: Philippe Coutinho wants £100m Manchester United switch

The Mirror reports that Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho would like a return to the Premier League, and his choice of club could spark an outcry from Liverpool fans. The Brazilian international, 26, has reportedly spoken to United players about a potential move back to England to join up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. There would be competition for the player from Paris Saint-Germain.

Paper Round’s view: It is hard to see how PSG could afford the £100million transfer fee mooted, but if they were able to shift Neymar and make their money back it would give them the chance to compete for the Brazilian. Moving to United would be a provocative move by Coutinho, especially given the way he left Liverpool, but he would improve United’s front six enormously.

Arsenal are making plans to improve their defence this summer as they track Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico. The 26-year-old left-sided defender is rated at just £8 million, and has experience on the international stage with the Argentine national side. Unai Emery will face competition though, as both Atletico and Real Madrid are also tracking the player, reports the Sun.

Paper Round’s view: Ajax impressed last week with their victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League, and Tagliafico has been one of their best players this season. Both Atletico and Real will need to improve in the summer to stand a chance of catching the likely champions in La Liga, Barcelona. Tagliafico appears to be a potential bargain if there is no bidding war between the three clubs.

The Express newspaper reports that Manchester United are considering offering Alexis Sanchez a way out of the club to free up the £500,000 a week he earns and provide Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with transfer funds. However the paper claims Sanchez has no intention of leaving the club and with only a handful of sides able to afford him, even on subsidised wages, he will be at Old Trafford next season.

Paper Round’s view: Sanchez was an excellent player, and he has not suffered such a terrible injury that you would think that he can't rediscover his form and fitness at a resurgent Manchester United next season. However, if he is suffering mentally then that might leave his career in serious trouble. Either way, the Chilean international will understandably be reluctant to give up half a million pounds a year.

Manchester United will pay Norwegian club Molde £6million in compensation for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, even though they could land him on a free transfer. The interim boss left Molde and had his contract ripped up as he can't be contracted to two clubs at the same time. However with his permanent deal at Old Trafford set to be announced, Ed Woodward will pay the club as a gesture of goodwill, according to the Sun.

Paper Round’s view: United’s progress up the table and in the Champions League has probably earned the club more than enough to pay off the debt they feel they owe for Solskjaer. Given how much more awkward Molde could probably still make things, a payment is both correct and sensible.