Manchester United still confident of landing Wout Weghorst despite Besiktas denial – Paper Round

Man Utd still confident of getting Weghorst

Manchester United are still confident of landing Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley despite Besiktas insisting no deal is in place, according to The Sun. Dutch forward Weghorst, 30, is on loan at Besiktas from Championship side Burnley and has been the subject of rumours linking him with a move to join compatriot Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. On Monday, Besiktas said that Weghorst is not on the verge of departing. The Sun claim United will now have to negotiate a break clause fee to land their man.

Paper View’s round: While Besiktas are adamant that they are keeping a hold of the Netherlands international, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ends up at Old Trafford before the end of the month. United don’t have the budget to blow on a big-name striker in January and acquiring Weghorst, who has eight goals in 16 league games in Turkey this season, wouldn’t break the bank. If the club push hard enough, the move will likely materialise, with the player seemingly keen on the move.

Tottenham told to pay €45m for Porro

Tottenham will have to pay Pedro Porro’s €45m (£36.7m) release clause if they want to sign him in January, report The Guardian. The report states that initial conversations have taken place over Porro, driven by intermediaries, and it is believed that more will take place, suggesting that a deal could be a possibility, even though Sporting will demand the full value of the 23-year-old’s clause.

Paper View’s round: Daniel Levy is under increasing pressure to get his chequebook out this month, with Tottenham fans expressing their support for Antonio Conte, who is keen to sign a right wing-back. Backing the Italian boss by making this expensive signing would indicate just how much Levy wants to keep Conte at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the foreseeable future and send out a positive message to the supporters.

Pickford and Everton disagree on wage increase

Jordan Pickford has told Everton that he wants to stay – but the club is not prepared to meet the wage increase he is asking for. That’s according to The Sun, who claim the situation has alerted Manchester United and Tottenham, who, the newspaper claim, are now both willing to nearly double his £100,000 wages to secure his signature.

Paper Round’s view: With relegation to the Championship a strong possibility, it would be no surprise that Everton chiefs are not prepared to offer Pickford such a lucrative wage at this point in time. If they’re not careful, however, they could lose the England international on the cheap. His current deal runs until the summer of 2024.

Chelsea targeting two more attackers after Felix

Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram, whose contract runs out in the summer, according to The Times. The Blues are also considering a move for PSV Eindhoven and England Under-21s forward Noni Madueke, 20.

Paper Round’s view: Chelsea are said to be searching for more firepower in attack and look set to capture Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang misfiring and the injured Armando Broja out for the season, though, there is room for one or two more signings. With Thuram’s contract due to expire in the summer, the Blues could help themselves to a bargain. Former Tottenham winger Madueke is also highly-rated and could be bought for as little as £13m, apparently. It would be a great piece of business if Chelsea can land all three players.