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Thursday's papers: Jude Bellingham, Santi Cazorla, Leon Bailey

Thursday's papers: Jude Bellingham, Santi Cazorla, Leon Bailey
© Reuters
Manchester United are believed to be closing in on the signature of teenage Birmingham midfielder Jude Bellingham.

What the papers say

The battle for 16-year-old wonderkid Jude Bellingham's future looks set to come down to a shootout between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United, with the Daily Mirror reporting United are currently in the lead for his services. The Birmingham teenager toured the Red Devils' Carrington training complex last week and the paper believes the club are willing to pay about £30million to secure the England youth international's signature.

The Daily Express reports that the Gunners are set to offer Santi Cazorla a return to the Emirates Stadium for a potential farewell game. The 35-year-old is out of contract at Villarreal at the end of the season and has expressed his desire to say a proper goodbye to the club's fans. Cazorla was hugely popular with the fans during his six years with Arsenal, but injury robbed him of the chance to bid the supporters a proper farewell when he left the club in 2018.

Staying with Arsenal, the club have reportedly shown interest in Swedish youngster Emil Roback. The Daily Mail says the 16-year-old Sweden youth international is being chased by both the Gunners and Bayern Munich.

Cardiff City v Nottingham Forest – Sky Bet Championship – Cardiff City Stadium
Cardiff's Dion Sanderson (left) is believed to be on the radar of multiple clubs (Nigel French/PA)

There are a number of clubs believed to be keeping a close eye on Wolves defender Dion Sanderson. The Daily Mail says West Ham, Aston Villa, Brighton and Norwich have made an effort to check in on the 20-year-old's progress at Cardiff as they ponder a potential summer transfer bid.

A high price tag is not dissuading multiple Premier League clubs from circling around Bayer Leverkusen forward Leon Bailey. Arsenal and Chelsea are both willing to meet the £85million asking price for the Jamaica international, according to the Daily Express.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Ashley Young File Photo
Ashley Young in action for Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA)

Ashley Young: Inter Milan are set to offer the 34-year-old defender a one-year contract extension, according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Houssem Aouar: The Lyon midfielder is attracting attention from Manchester City, Juventus and Paris St Germain, reports Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

Saul Niguez: Manchester United and Manchester City are ready to make moves for the 25-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder, says Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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