MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 08:33:25| >> :60:853:853:

Friday's paper talk: Sergio Aguero, Erling Haaland, Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Friday's paper talk: Sergio Aguero, Erling Haaland, Ainsley Maitland-Niles
© Reuters
Manchester City's highest goalscorer could be seen in another blue shirt next season.

What the papers say

Chelsea are leading the race to sign Sergio Aguero, who wants to stay in England once his time at Manchester City ends, according to the Mail. Stamford Bridge bosses wanted to bring the Argentina striker to west London in 2011 when he played for Atletico Madrid and the paper says the Blues are one of the few who could afford him. But the 32-year-old is also being courted by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris St Germain.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles reportedly wants to leave Arsenal in the summer once he finishes his loan spell in West Brom's midfield. The Telegraph reports the 23-year-old England international is likely to be considered as a right-back option by Wolves, Southampton and Leicester, while Manchester United may even come calling.

Sheffield United v Aston Villa – Premier League – Bramall Lane
Bjorn Engels is predicted to leave Villa Park due to a lack of playing time (Mike Egerton/PA)

Injuries and competition for places have kept defender Bjorn Engels out of Aston Villa's Premier League squad since their 4-0 loss to Leicester in March 2020. His absence for the Claret and Blues has led to reports in his native Belgium that Royal Antwerp and Club Brugge are interested in his services. The Birmingham Mail cites VoetbalKrant as saying it is "inevitable" the 26-year-old will leave Birmingham.

Teen talent Thierry Small may reject a three-year contract from current club Everton as he chases first-team time with another side, the Express says. The 16-year-old is a product of Finch Park's academy, where the wing-back's motor and willingness to attack has drawn comparisons to Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies. Leeds, Brighton and Brentford are all reportedly prepared to offer a spot in their senior side to Small, who became Everton's youngest ever player in January's FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Erling Haaland File Photo
Erling Haaland is being courted by at least four Premier League clubs (Liam McBurney/PA)

Erling Haaland: The 20-year-old Norway and Borussia Dortmund striker's father and agent, former Premier League midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, will meet with Chelsea, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs in London on Friday, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

Memphis Depay: Marca reports Liverpool might "muscle in on" Barcelona's attempts to sign the 27-year-old Lyon and Holland striker, whose contract with Les Gones finishes in the summer.

ID:441506: cacheID:441506:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7434:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sergio Aguero in action for Manchester City on March 10, 2021
Read Next:
Tuesday's paper talk: Sergio Aguero, Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!