Paper Round: Real Madrid 'ready to bid over £100m for Pogba and Stones'

Paul Pogba could net Juventus around £100 million if Real Madrid plough on with a huge bid for the France midfielder. The Sun claims Madrid will make the midfielder their top target in the summe. Barcelona and Manchester City are the main rivals for Pogba while Barcelona almost signed him last summer. But Real Madrid have apparently now placed him at the top of their transfer list amid a £250m close season spending splurge.

Paper Round's view - Real Madrid are going to spend big in the summer. How big and what they're going to spend on remains to be seen. They could undoubtedly afford Pogba, if they want to. He would be a brilliant signing, and the type of player that obscenely rich clubs like Real Madrid should be spending on, but the Merengues aren't always the smartest about how they spend their money.

Chelsea have competition for John Stones as part of a planned £250m spending spree. The Mail understands that Real Madrid are also interested in signing the Everton defender, although they will likely wait until the summer to make a move. Rafa Benitez pegged Stones as one of Europe's best young defenders and while he is no longer the Merengues' manager, the club are still keen on Stones. Barcelona also like Stones, but they cannot afford him. Real Madrid have a potential transfer ban hanging over their heads that could affect their pursuit of the England player.

Paper Round's view - It's unclear what direction Real Madrid are heading in, but they certainly need to figure out the future of their central defence. Sergio Ramos and Pepe are both aging and Raphael Varane's progress has stagnated. Stones would be a terrific addition and give them a proven young defender, along with a potential partner in Varane for the future. They certainly have to money to push Everton to a point where they would have to consider selling, but Chelsea may try to match them. If it comes down to a straight choice, his decision may already be made.

Arsene Wenger is hoping to sign Odion Ighalo, according to The Mirror. Arsenal are watching the Watford striker and would like to sign him in the summer. The Gunners are also keen on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Borussia Dortmund want £60m for him. The Gunners know signing him will be difficult so they are targeting Ighalo as a secondary option.

Paper Round's view - It is tough to imagine Arsenal paying up for Aubameyang so they have to look elsewhere. Ighao wouldn't be a bad option, especially if he keeps up his fine play for the remainder of the season. He would have a full season of play in the Premier League as proof that he could play at the level and he'd fit in the Gunners' system. Most of all, he would be relatively affordable too.

Robert Green has to find a move away from Queens Part Rangers. The Standard report that QPR told Green he has to leave the club in January or he will be put on the bench. The goalkeeper's contract expires in the summer, but it will automatically be extended by another season if he plays in five more matches. While the club do like Green, they do not want to keep paying him £40,000-per-week. He needs to leave or be dropped.

Paper Round's view - Green shouldn't have many problems finding another club interested in him. He's still a solid keeper and several clubs would be improved by adding him. The question is whether he can find a club willing to pay him £40,000-per-week. If not, he needs to decide whether four months at his current wages is worth not playing. Many would say, yes.

Bournemouth are nearing a £10m deal for Benik Afobe that would make him the club's record signing, according to The Telegraph. The deal should be finalised over the weekend and Afobe would provide the impact player up top that Eddie Howe wants to replace the injured Callum Wilson. Afobe has scored 10 goals for Wolves this season, and the Cherries had to beat Norwich for his signature.

Paper Round's view - Bournemouth have scored just 22 goals this season so they could certainly use a boost. Afobe should provide them with that. At 22 years old, he should be a wise investment. At this point, the Cherries are focused on staying up. They have four points between them and the drop and with a reliable striker, they should be able to avoid relegation.