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Thursday's papers: Gareth Bale, Mario Mandzukic, Jadon Sancho

Thursday's papers: Gareth Bale, Mario Mandzukic, Jadon Sancho
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Gareth Bale's agent insists his client is staying at Real Madrid but Mario Mandzukic appears set to be heading to Manchester United.

What the papers say

A "delighted" Gareth Bale is not planning to leave Real Madrid, according to his agent after a meeting with the Welshman in London this week. The encounter sparked talk that the 30-year-old winger was departing for either China or Manchester United, but Jonathan Barnett told The Independent that his client is "delighted to play in Madrid". Barnett added: "China? Don't believe everything you hear."

Mario Mandzukic's path to United appears more set by the day. The Daily Mirror cites Calciomercato as saying that the Mancunians have been informed of the 33-year-old striker's asking price by Juventus, who are willing to sell the veteran for £4.6 million. The Red Devils could, however, face competition from Sevilla.

Jadon Sancho chases the ball
England's Jadon Sancho continues to be linked to a return to Manchester (Adam Davy/PA)

Manchester City have joined United in the hunt for Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year-old was a City junior before departing to the Bundesliga, and the Manchester Evening News reports Sportsbild has claimed the England winger could be snapped up for £100m.

Staying with the Bundesliga and the Liverpool Echo says Schalke wish to keep Everton loanee Jonjoe Kenny after this season. The paper reports Schalke sporting director Jochen Schneider told Sport Bild of the full-back that he hoped "we will have the chance to keep him longer". Kenny, 22, in recent weeks indicated he was happy to be in Germany and refused to rule out staying beyond his current spell.

If Mattia Caldara continues to struggle for fitness then AC Milan are prepared to sign Dejan Lovren from Liverpool, according to the Daily Mail. Milan and Roma tried to secure centre-back Lovren's services during the summer but were unsuccessful. The Croatian, 30, has failed to attract consistent minutes on the pitch under the Reds' manager Jurgen Klopp.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Aurelio Buta: The Royal Antwerp full-back, 22, is being targeted by Wolves and Watford during the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.

Ferran Torres: The 19-year-old Valencia winger is being courted by Liverpool, Barcelona and Borussa Dortmund, Metro reports while citing Sport Bild.

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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


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