Paper Round: Real Madrid demand £50m for Manchester United target Raphael Varane

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has set Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane as his defensive priority. The 24-year-old French defender could leave Spain in the summer, with Real asking for £50m, and United being prepared to offer £40m. He isn't the only defensive target with Danny Rose, Jose Gaya, Samuel Umtiti and Toby Alderweireld all also under consideration.

Paper Round's view: United desperately need new defenders, with Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Daley Blind way below the required standard. Given United's vast resources, it would be no surprise if more than two of the players listed above arrived. Marcos Rojo, who just signed a new contract, can feel fortunate to be staying at Old Trafford after his own inconsistent showings.

Manchester United aren't the only club looking to add to their defence, and Chelsea will provide competition for Spurs' Toby Alderweireld. The 29-year-old Belgium international has been left out of Spurs' first team while the club try to resolve his contract status, and he has a release clause coming up in the summer of 2019. Chelsea need new defenders with David Luiz and Gary Cahill expected to leave in the summer.

Paper Round's view: Alderweireld may not have a release clause for another year, but its mere existence makes an early exit far more likely as Spurs would probably favour bringing in around £40m now and securing another central defender for the future. Cahill and Luiz have struggled this season, and while a new manager may feel differently, Alderweireld is a far superior player to the both of them.

Emre Can dropped a big hint that he won't be staying at Liverpool next season. In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, he said: “I have the self-confidence to say that my qualities are sufficient to play in a very big club next season.” He went on to say he was open to playing in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Paper Round's view: Can won't have meant it as a way to criticise Liverpool, but they do not qualify as a very big club in many respects. Juventus are perennial Italian champions, Bayern Munich dominate Germany, and Real Madrid and Barcelona are the biggest in Spain. Paris Saint-Germain, too, might be interested, and Liverpool could not compete on wages or chances of success with any of those teams.

New Southampton boss Mark Hughes is already planning for next season. He wants to be reunited with his former Stoke player, Xherdan Shaqiri. Hughes brought Shaqiri to Stoke when he was manager, and with Stoke struggling for Premier League survival at the moment, he is looking to exploit a chance to get his man. The 26-year-old Switzerland international will be in the shop window in the upcoming World Cup in Russia.

Paper Round's view: Shaqiri is a dangerous player when he is happy, and he played some of his best football when Hughes was at Stoke. At just £20m, for a 26-year-old, he would represent a bargain. Southampton need more creativity and drive in midfield, and as he is already accustomed to the Premier League he would be a safe purchase for any side in England.