MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 09:29:06| >> :60:1154:1154:

Thursday's papers: Timo Werner, Odion Ighalo, Nicolas Tagliafico

Thursday's papers: Timo Werner, Odion Ighalo, Nicolas Tagliafico
© Reuters
The Reds want RB Leipzig's man but both sides are refusing to compromise.

What the papers say

Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of Timo Werner but that will not be enough to bring the striker to Liverpool, according to the Daily Mirror. RB Leipzig are refusing to budge on Werner’s £50million release clause, while the Merseysiders believe the Germany international is worth less than £30m. The 24-year-old can opt to stay at Leipzig until his contract ends in two years or opt to try his luck on a European market – where Barcelona and Inter Milan have previously indicated their interest in him – that has been upended by the pandemic.

The Manchester Evening News reports Odion Ighalo has made a personal plea to Shanghai Shenhua requesting permission to stay at Old Trafford until the season ends. The striker’s deal with Manchester United ends on Sunday and talks between the club and Ighalo’s Chinese Super League side have yet to arrive at a solution. The 30-year-old has been a United fan since his days growing up in Nigeria, with confidence reportedly growing in his camp that the former Watford player will be able to finish the current campaign in Manchester.

Southampton v Newcastle United – Premier League – St Mary’s Stadium
Javier Manquillo has yet to hold contract talks with Newcastle (Mark Kerton/PA)

Representatives for Javier Manquillo have spoken with La Liga clubs prior to his Newcastle contract ending next month, says the Newcastle Chronicle. The former Liverpool full-back has yet to hold contract talks with the Magpies, prompting him to seek a return to Spain. He was signed from Atletico Madrid by Rafa Benitez in 2017 for £4.2m and has continued to impress under Steve Bruce, despite having a more limited role in the current campaign. Sevilla and Real Betis have been approached but neither club has responded with an offer for the 26-year-old.

Chelsea could reportedly secure the services of Nicolas Tagliafico for  a relatively low £22.4million. The Daily Telegraph says Blues manager Frank Lampard wants a new left-back for his squad and has been considering Leicester’s Ben Chilwell. But the 23-year-old is rated at more than £40m and Ajax’s Tagliafico, 27, is a much cheaper option.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Eduardo Camavinga: Metro reports Rennes’ French under-21 midfielder, 17, is being targeted by Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Scotland v Cyprus – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group I – Hampden Park
Scotland’s Ryan Fraser last month told friends he wanted to move to Tottenham (Jeff Holmes/PA)

Ryan Fraser: Tottenham fancy their chances of signing Bournemouth’s 26-year-old Scotland winger, according to Football Insider.

ID:400618: cacheID:400618:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8222:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
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!