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Thursday's papers: Kalidou Koulibaly, Alex Telles, Sadio Mane

The arrival of Alex Telles at Old Trafford is beginning to look inevitable, according to reports.

What the papers say

Alex Telles has made it clear he wants to leave Porto for the Premier League. The Daily Telegraph reports the Brazil left-back 'has signalled his determination' to shift to Manchester United. The 27-year-old has a £36.6 million release clause in his contract but will be free to foreign clubs from January, prompting Old Trafford bosses to attempt to secure him for less.

A successful loan spell at Roma has the Italian side preparing to make another bid for Chris Smalling, according to The Guardian. Manchester United have rejected an offer of £11m for the England defender, who spent last season in the Italian capital and who United believe is worth at least £18m. Roma manager Paulo Fonseca said at the weekend that the 30-year-old could join the Serie A team "in the next few days".

Wales v Croatia – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group E – Cardiff City Stadium
There is plenty of interest in Wales defender Joe Rodon (Nigel French/PA)

The paper also reports West Ham will try to beat United for the signature of Wales centre-back Joe Rodon. But the Swansea defender, 22, may end up being too expensive for the Hammers.

The Sun, which cites France's Le Parisien, says Liverpool are hoping to use Sadio Mane to convince his countryman Kalidou Koulibaly to join the Reds. Manchester City and Paris St Germain are interested in the Senegal international, who has made it clear he wants to leave Napoli. Mane is attempting to persuade the 29-year-old centre-back to make a home at Anfield, where he would be partnered with Virgil van Dijk.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Wesley Fofana: Sky Sports says West Ham have offered St Etienne £33m for the 19-year-old centre-back, who is also being targeted by Leicester.

Lucas Torreira: Atletico Madrid will make a bid for the Arsenal and Uruguay midfielder, 23, according to Spain's Mundo Deportivo.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli pictured in August 2020
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
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