Paper Round: City and United battle it out for Neymar, Mourinho tells friends United job is his

According to the Sun, this summer we'll see the Manchester giants go head to head for the signature of Neymar. The report points to comments made by Neymar's father and manager, who said "there is no reason why he should sign a new deal at Barcelona". United have been willing to pay Neymar's £144m payout clause, with both clubs reportedly pitching to him the idea of being the new poster boy of his chosen team.

Paper Round's view: Both clubs, if there's a hint he's available, will go hard for the 24-year-old. Perhaps a tactic by Neymar's old man to get more money out of Barcelona for the striker, but this story still refuses to die.

The Mirror are reporting Jose Mourinho has been telling close friends he's confident he'll be the new manager of Manchester United, with sources close to him suggesting a deal is almost done. The saga continues to drag on after Louis Van Gaal's protestations that his job isn't under threat and publicly stated the club "hadn't spoken" to Mourinho.

Paper Round's view: Shaping up to be like the Guardiola to City story, another instance of a poorly kept secret in football. Van Gaal is safe this season as long he is in touching distance of Champions League places, but not sure how the Dutchman manages to extend his stay with Mourinho lurking over him in the summer.

Daily Telegraph are reporting on the leaked details of David De Gea's Real Madrid contract by website Football Leaks. The nine page contract plus a two page Spanish Football Federation document was leaked online, showing De Gea was to earn £9.2 million a season over the next six years if he had signed with Madrid. He would have also received a signing on fee of £8.5m and a range of other team bonuses.

Paper Round's view: United saved by their administrative error it seems. All this shows how close the deal was to getting done, and also how intent De Gea will be to get to Real Madrid next summer before any transfer ban rulings come after the appeal process.

The Metro are reporting rumblings of a battle for the signature for Javier Hernandez between Arsenal and Liverpool. Hernandez has found the net 22 times in 26 starts in all competitions, as Bayer Leverkusen director Jochen A. Rotthaus told German media (and quoted in the Metro last week) that the club "[had] to make the most of Chicharito" and prepare for any departure.

Paper Round's view: It was inevitable that his form wasn't going to keep him under the radar long. Hernandez has finally added a few more strings to his bow, such as being able to run out more games and get involved in more link up play. Leverkusen will be reluctant to sell, but if a strong offer comes expect him back in the Premier League.

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