Football news - Paper Round: Solskjaer aims to give David de Gea and Anthony Martial new deals
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Updated 30/12/2018 at 07:48 GMT
New deals could be in the works for David de Gea and Anthony Martial at Manchester United, plus more from around the papers.
David De Gea of Manchester United
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Solskjaer aims to tie down stars to new deal
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to tie both Anthony Martial and David de Gea down to new deals. Both their contracts are due to expire in 2020, and Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are lurking for De Gea. Asked about the duo, Solskjaer said: “For me, I would hope I can help or guide these players to maybe tip them over to thinking they want to stay at this club. If you are a regular at Manchester United, I think you should grasp the opportunity to stay here and become part of the history.”
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Anthony Martial of Manchester United runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on November 24, 2018
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Paper Round’s view: If United can somehow squeeze into the top four this season, and if Ed Woodward is able to sign a competent defender in the transfer window, then that would radically change the atmosphere at the club. De Gea is understandably tired of winning little with United given their standing, and a change in ambition is likely the only thing that can make him stay.
Cardiff close in on Clyne
Cardiff City are favourites to sign Nathaniel Clyne from Liverpool. The right-back’s current boss Jurgen Klopp is ready to let him leave on loan after the best part of a season out with injury. A loan spell would let him regain his fitness, and Neil Warnock is confident their time together at Crystal Palace puts him in good stead ahead of rivals Leicester City, who are also interested.
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Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during a pre-season friendly match between Tranmere Rovers and Liverpool at Prenton Park on July 12, 2017 in Birkenhead, England.
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Paper Round’s view: If Clyne is able to put together a half-season of consistent performances then he will be ready to challenge for first-team football at the start of next season for Liverpool. But right now, he would dramatically improve the quality of Cardiff’s defence and give them a good chance of staying up.
Newcastle monitor Roofe
Rafael Benitez could add to his Newcastle United squad in January, if Mike Ashley is prepared to give him the funds to invest. Benitez is tracking Leeds United’s 25-year-old striker Kemar Roofe, who has scored 13 goals in 18 appearances this season. Newcastle want the additional firepower he can provide while Leeds are reluctant to spend.
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Kemar Roofe of Leeds United celebrates with his team mates after he scores during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Millwall at Elland Road
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Paper Round’s view: Unless Newcastle make a sizeable bid for Roofe, it will be hard to persuade Leeds to let him go, because the benefits of ensuring promotion dwarf that of the proceeds from selling their first-choice striker. Benitez would probably benefit from looking elsewhere, perhaps even at players who aren’t first choice in the Championship.
Gracia prepares for Doucoure sale
Javi Gracia is under no illusions that Abdoulaye Doucoure could have played his final game for Watford after he was linked to Paris Saint-Germain. The 25-year-old midfielder has also been linked to Everton, and before that both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Gracia acknowledged that the owners may decide to sell, saying: “they decide what is better for the club and sometimes some players, like last season what happened with Richarlison, then maybe something happens you don't want."
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Watford's Troy Deeney celebrates scoring their first goal with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Gerard Deulofeu
Image credit: Reuters
Paper Round’s view: A fee of £45 million has been mentioned for Doucoure, which seems the going rate for a 25-year-old Premier League player, and that would be a difficult sum to turn down for Watford, who are in part run to make a profit on player sales. There is a good chance they already have a replacement lined up within the clubs their group owns.
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