Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez targets Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich – Paper Round

“Barcelona hope to bring Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich to the Nou Camp and play him alongside Ilkay Gundogan,” the outlet reports.

“The uncertainty around the player has given a boost to Barcelona as they look to strengthen their midfield options – and Kimmich is a player that has been identified by Nou Camp chiefs.

“Gundogan this week made headlines by calling out the club after their El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid, saying he wanted to see more ‘anger’ from his team-mates – and Barca now want to pair his winning mentality with Kimmich.

“Mail Sport understands it would be seen as a huge positive if Kimmich was brought in alongside his Germany team-mate Gundogan as boss Xavi seeks more experienced players with a history of winning trophies and titles.”

The Telegraph reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s initial £245 million investment into Manchester United will not be given to Erik ten Hag for transfers.

“It is also expected – as first revealed by Sky News – that the Ineos billionaire’s acquisition of 25% of the club for £1.35 billion will be completed late this month. It is understood that the additional cash injection by Ratcliffe, which will be paid over the next few months, will not be spent on players’ wages or fees.

“Additionally, the £245 million will not add to the United debt – accrued by the Glazers over the course of their ownership to finance and refinance their original 2005 takeover – which currently stands at more than £1 billion.

“The latest development comes at another low for the club as Erik ten Hag’s second year in charge threatens to unravel. However, many questions remain, not least as to the likely destination of the £1.25 billion that Ratcliffe will pay for his share of the club. There has been no firm indication whether that will go into a potential stadium rebuild, the playing squad or the personal fortunes of the six Glazer siblings who own the club’s main voting shares.”

Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff could invest alongside Jim Ratcliffe into Manchester United, The Sun reports.

“Ratcliffe, 71, is set to buy a 25% stake in The Red Devils.

“The British billionaire will have significant say in sporting matters at Old Trafford.

“Ratcliffe already has a significant business relationship with Wolff, with the pair co-owning a stake in Mercedes alongside Ola Kallenius.”

The Mirror suggests that Newcastle may find it tough to convince the Premier League that they should be allowed to sign Ruben Neves, or other players in the Saudi Pro League.

“The Geordies will attempt to sign Portugal international midfielder Ruben Neves on loan from Al-Hilal just six months after his £47m move to the Saudi Pro League. Newcastle and Al-Hilal are both owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and there is currently no regulation to stop the deal.

“Premier League rivals fear Newcastle could use the four Saudi clubs they own as a back door way of getting players to Tyneside on the cheap. Newcastle need a replacement for playmaker Sandro Tonali who is banned for 10 months for betting, but face Financial Fair Play restrictions so a loan deal would suit.

“Neves, 26, left Wolves in the summer after 253 games in six seasons. The PIF also own Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr. The PIF have helped their clubs buy star players including N’Golo Kante, Jota, Riyad Mahrez, Fabinho, Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo.”