Barcelona target Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial as they face mounting problems – Paper Round

Barcelona want Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and more Premier League players next season.

“The Spanish champions are also said to be eyeing moves for Arsenal duo Kai Havertz and Jorginho next summer.

“Barca’s financial problems have had a direct impact on their transfer business in recent seasons.

“In order to manage their issues, the club have been forced to look at free agents, flops, and out-of-favour players from top teams in Europe.

“Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt is their sole defensive target, having complained about his playing time with the German giants.”

The Telegraph suggests that Barcelona could be in line for bankruptcy if they scandals and financial problems start to catch up with them.

“The last obstacle to a jury trial for Barcelona’s alleged illegal payments to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the Spanish refereeing committee, was removed on Thursday by a judge who had examined the public prosecutor’s case against the club and key individuals.

“Judge Joaquin Aguirre Lopez ruled that the trial would go ahead over the payments of €7.7 million to Negreira between 2001 and 2018, for what the club claim were “technical reports” on referees. The club themselves have been named among the defendants as well as former presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu, Sandro Rosell and Negreira’s son Javier Enríquez.

“If found guilty, the sentences for the individuals could be between three and six years in prison. Barcelona themselves could be suspended from trading as a professional football club, which would likely plunge the 124-year-old member-owned entity into bankruptcy.”

“Mauricio Pochettino has said he is already assessing potential targets as he looks to take a greater involvement in Chelsea’s transfer business,” the report details.

“Chelsea spent more than £400million on new signings in the summer after Pochettino was appointed in May.

“The Blues also brought in more than £300million worth of player sales, and the former Spurs boss has confirmed that he expects the club to be active again in the January transfer window.

“Pochettino said: ‘The good thing is the relationship and communication is very good with the sporting directors and owners.

“‘When the transfer window closed I said I need to be more involved now in all the decisions.’”

The Mirror reports that Roma manager Jose Mourinho wants Tottenham’s Eric Dier to join him in Italy.

“The Italian side’s difficult start to the season continued on Thursday night with a heavy 4-1 defeat at newly-promoted Genoa. Only two other teams in the Italian top-flight – Sassuolo and Empoli – have conceded more goals across the first six matchdays than Mourinho’s side (11).

“The Giallorossi lost defender Roger Ibanez to Saudi club Al-Ahli while central defensive kingpin Chris Smalling is also out injured. Ivorian international Evan Ndicka has endured a difficult start to life in the Italian capital since his summer switch from Eintracht Frankfurt.

“Smalling has suffered from tendon issues this season and aged 34, Mourinho is said to be concerned about the lack of depth he possesses in the position. Dier, who impressed under the Portuguese boss at Spurs – has yet to feature this campaign and is an option for the January transfer window.”