Football news - Paper Round: Chelsea prepare for Eden Hazard exit, De Gea set for new Man Utd deal

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is prepared to see Eden Hazard leave at the end of the season if he does not sign a new contract. The former Napoli boss acknowledged that the Belgian international could renew his deal at Stamford Bridge, but that if he did not sign a new agreement then it would be up to him to go to Real Madrid. The Star carries quotes from Sarri saying: "Hopefully he will renew with Chelsea, but if he does not he will finish in Madrid."

Paper Round’s view: Sarri is very possibly on his way out at Chelsea with Champions League football hanging in the balance after a poor couple of months in charge. Given the outlook of his own career, he can perhaps be a little more laidback about Hazard’s future. As well as that, it is not likely to persuade Hazard to stay by adding more pressure on him in public to make his choice.

While Sarri is ambiguous over what he expects from Hazard over a potential new contract, former teammate Cesc Fabregas is more confident. The Monaco midfielder thinks that because Hazard was reluctant to force his way out of the club, he will likely sign an extension. Fabregas is quoted in the Independent, saying: “I think he’s going to extend his contract with Chelsea. He’s a loyal player. He told me he would never fight with Chelsea to leave. This is his club, he has won so much in England.

Paper Round’s view: As David de Gea has shown at United, having a good relationship with a club sometimes aids a contract renewal when it might make more sense to leave. De Gea would have won more trophies had he left under Louis van Gaal, and if Eden Hazard wants to challenge at the top of European football then he probably needs to join Real in the summer. Leaving when relations are still good is far harder.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is set to sign a new deal at the club, report the Metro. The Spanish international had been contemplating his future after a dreadful start to the season under Jose Mourinho, but the mood has changed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. There are only 18 months left on De Gea’s current contract, but a new deal could see him more than triple his wages to £375,000 a week.

Paper Round’s view: United gave Phil Jones a new, long-term contract this week which means that their defence could very possibly be absolutely awful for the foreseeable future. To that end, keeping the best goalkeeper in the world is essential. If they can sign some competent defenders to take over from Jones in the first team, then they could again start challenging for trophies.

Manchester United and City could renew their transfer rivalry once again this summer. The clubs have both got their sights set on Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. The 22-year-old impressed Pep Guardiola when Lyon faced City in the Champions League earlier in the summer, and now the Mirror reports that United are interested in the player too, who could cost around 80 million euros.

Paper Round’s view: Lyon are a club who do not give up their best players without extracting as much value as they can in the transfer market. The battle between United and City might carry extra meaning, with Guardiola reportedly frustrated at missing out on targets of late and United having signed both Alexis Sanchez and Fred ahead of their city rivals. While neither transfer has worked out, that will not stop Ed Woodward from again trying to impress with another big deal.