Paper Round: Manchester United in battle for £35m Nicolas Otamendi

‘United locked in £35m battle for Otamendi’ – Manchester United are facing a tough fight to land transfer target Nicolas Otamendi, according to the Daily Star. Louis van Gaal has made the defender, who is priced at £35m, one of his top targets this summer but United will have to acquire his services before Real Madrid, who are also keen to sign him. New Real boss Rafael Benitez likes the defender, but United have moved first with an opening bid of £25m, according to the paper.

Paper Round’s view: United certainly need an accomplished defender and if this is the player that Van Gaal likes the most then they should do everything possible to land their man. Otamendi, who is currently away with his national team at the Copa America, played in all but three of his club’s league games last season. He has already reportedly told Valencia he wants to quit the club and it seems like a nice fit with his countrymen Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria already at Old Trafford.

‘City in four-way scrap for Pogba’ - Manchester City are locked in a four-way £60m summer battle to land Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, according to the Daily Mirror. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also chasing the France star, who is seen as one of Europe's hottest young talents. Barcelona presidential candidate Agusti Benedito declared he will able to convince Juventus to sell Pogba to the new European champions for around £60m if he is elected. Although Barcelona are banned from registering any players until 2016 because of a year-long FIFA transfer ban, Benedito claimed he can do a deal for Pogba.

Paper Round’s view: It’s tough to believe any promises from a Barcelona presidential candidate, but it has sounded over the past few months that Pogba would favour a move to Spain. City clearly want to kick-start their summer’s spending by landing the biggest name in Europe on the market currently and the midfielder would obviously represent a fine signing if they can complete a move.

‘Mourinho lines up move for Begovic’ - Chelsea are preparing a bid for Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after making the Bosnian their top choice to replace Petr Cech, that’s according to the Daily Telegraph. Even if Stoke accept an offer, Chelsea will still have to convince Begovic that he will play enough games to make a move worthwhile as the 27-year-old does not want to spend the peak of his career on the substitutes’ bench. According to the paper, the club are now poised to try to secure his signature and will move with confidence if they are sure Cech will be leaving.

Paper Round’s view: Chelsea will reportedly hold discussions with Cech over his future this week and can then make a formal approach to Stoke over Begovic, who they will surely have to attempt to convince to battle for a place with Thibaut Courtois by offering a big pay rise. Begovic only has one year remaining on his Stoke contract, which means Chelsea will not have to pay much more than £8m for him, and for a top-quality keeper that sounds like a bargain.

‘Southampton eye up Jenkinson’ - Southampton have targeted Carl Jenkinson, the Arsenal right-back, as a possible loan signing, as they make contingency plans for the departure of Nathaniel Clyne, according to The Guardian. Jenkinson, who has one England cap, impressed for West Ham on loan last season and they would be interested in taking him back from Arsenal. Arsene Wenger rates the 23-year-old but the Arsenal manager has Hector Bellerin and Mathieu Debuchy already in the position. Sunderland have also made a move for Jenkinson, according to the paper.

Paper Round’s view: Clyne enjoyed a superb season for Southampton and he has also reportedly attracted the interest of Liverpool. Even if Clyne stays at Southampton, the club need greater strength in depth as they prepare for a campaign in the Europa League, following their seventh-placed Premier League finish. Jenkinson is currently part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic.