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Thursday's papers: Kalidou Koulibaly, Alex Telles, Sadio Mane

The arrival of Alex Telles at Old Trafford is beginning to look inevitable, according to reports.

What the papers say

Alex Telles has made it clear he wants to leave Porto for the Premier League. The Daily Telegraph reports the Brazil left-back 'has signalled his determination' to shift to Manchester United. The 27-year-old has a £36.6 million release clause in his contract but will be free to foreign clubs from January, prompting Old Trafford bosses to attempt to secure him for less.

A successful loan spell at Roma has the Italian side preparing to make another bid for Chris Smalling, according to The Guardian. Manchester United have rejected an offer of £11m for the England defender, who spent last season in the Italian capital and who United believe is worth at least £18m. Roma manager Paulo Fonseca said at the weekend that the 30-year-old could join the Serie A team "in the next few days".

Wales v Croatia – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group E – Cardiff City Stadium
There is plenty of interest in Wales defender Joe Rodon (Nigel French/PA)

The paper also reports West Ham will try to beat United for the signature of Wales centre-back Joe Rodon. But the Swansea defender, 22, may end up being too expensive for the Hammers.

The Sun, which cites France's Le Parisien, says Liverpool are hoping to use Sadio Mane to convince his countryman Kalidou Koulibaly to join the Reds. Manchester City and Paris St Germain are interested in the Senegal international, who has made it clear he wants to leave Napoli. Mane is attempting to persuade the 29-year-old centre-back to make a home at Anfield, where he would be partnered with Virgil van Dijk.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Wesley Fofana: Sky Sports says West Ham have offered St Etienne £33m for the 19-year-old centre-back, who is also being targeted by Leicester.

Lucas Torreira: Atletico Madrid will make a bid for the Arsenal and Uruguay midfielder, 23, according to Spain's Mundo Deportivo.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli pictured in August 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal33235577265174
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716


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