Paper Round: Liverpool to offer swap deal for Christian Benteke

Liverpool will offer Lambert to Villa in Benteke deal - Liverpool are hoping that Rickie Lambert can strengthen their bid to land Christian Benteke from Aston Villa. The Mirror claims that the Reds plan to offer Lambert up to Aston Villa as part of their offer for Benteke. Villa wanted to sign Lambert in January, but the striker didn't want to leave Anfield. Villa claim that they don't want to sell Benteke, but he only has two years left on his contract so they may have to anyway. The imposing striker is the man Brendan Rodgers wants to bolster his attacking line.

Paper Round's view - In theory, giving Aston Villa a striker they want should make it easier to get a deal done, but in reality, it probably won't. Including players in deals, especially big money ones like Benteke would surely be, only complicates things and transfers like that rarely happen. Liverpool may very well sign Benteke and Lambert will probably leave Anfield, maybe even for Villa, but they probably won't both happen in the same deal. Agreeing on the valuation of one players is hard enough. A second just makes deals break down.

West Ham planning shock Ancelotti move - West Ham will try to make Carlo Ancelotti their new manager, according to The Telegraph. Ancelotti is expected to be fired by Real Madrid and the Hammers want to move quickly to hire him. The problem is that Ancelotti has said that if Real Madrid sack him, he will take a year off, but the Hammers have already reached out to gauge the Italian's interest.

Paper Round's view - It would be amazing for West Ham if they could hire Ancelotti, but that's not going to happen. He only manages at huge clubs and the Hammers may have some potential because of their impending move to the Olympic Stadium, but it's still not going to be a landing spot for him, no matter how much he loves London. Ancelotti will almost assuredly take a year off, with only a massive job like Manchester City luring him back into management so soon. West Ham just don't have a chance.

Everton want Sako - Roberto Martinez is hoping to sign Bakary Sako to replace Aaron Lennon, per The Sun. Lennon spent the second half of the season on loan at Everton, but the Toffees aren't sure they will be able to bring him on permanently so they are looking at other options. Sako had a good run at Wolves and is out of contract this summer so he's going to be available.

Paper Round's view - Everton aren't looking for a superstar winger, just a nice option that can do a job and give them depth. That's the role Lennon played and it's one Sako can play too. That he's available on a free just makes him all the more attractive. The Toffees will almost assuredly have competition for Sako, with several other Premier League clubs interested in signing him, but Everton is the highest profile of his suitors so they may have a leg up.

Monk to stay at Swansea despite West Ham interest - Garry Monk is staying at Swansea. The Mail understands that Monk was a top target for West Ham, who are in need of a new manager after letting Sam Allardyce go, but he won't be taking the job. Monk said that he is already negotiating a new contract with the Swans and, "I'm sure it'll be sorted out in the coming days."

Paper Round's view - Monk has little reason to leave Swansea for West Ham. The Swans can pay the same money that West Ham can, both to the manager and in the transfer market. All Monk really needed was for Swansea to show their commitment by improving his contract and they look set to do that. Monk has already laid a foundation at Swansea and can now build on it after a phenomenal season.