Paper Round: Madrid's desperate £250m Premier League raid, Chelsea target Alexandre Pato

The Sun are reporting after yesterday’s sensational transfer ban to hit both Madrid giants, Real Madrid are keen on splashing an eye-watering amount on players before the punishement comes into effect. Three Premier League players are on their wishlist – Eden Hazard, Sergio Aguero and David De Gea.

They also want Robert Lewandowski and Paul Pogba, which may impact upon Premier League clubs attempting to purchase them.

Paper Round's view: Not sure anyone saw this coming, but the aftershocks will cause a serious chain reaction to many potential transfers. There is a widespread belief that Madrid will try to buy some time like Barcelona did by appealing to CAS, and this is how they’ll seek to acquire these players. That said, clubs knowing that Madrid are in a hurry may jack up their asking price to take advantage of the situation. Interesting times ahead.

Reports in the Telegraph say Chelsea are in the market and talking to Alexandre Pato, the former AC Milan now Sao Paulo striker. The 26 year old would cost the London club £10m, much preferential to the large amount (£30m) Leicester have demanded to secure Jamie Vardy’s signature.

Paper Round's view: As much as Chelsea have issues in this department, we are not exactly sure this is the best course of resolving the problem. Pato has had quite modest returns since heading back to Brazil, after his Italy move was ruined by injury and form issues. The Premier League is a cruel beast, and those who aren’t up to challenge are mercilessly spat out. Think twice about this one, Guus.

The Mirror are reporting that Leicester have the joined the race to sign West Brom attacker Saido Berahino. Stoke, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle are all believed to be fighting for the signature of the 22-year-old, after a bidding war broke out last summer. According to the Mirror’s report, it is believed the Foxes are after both a striker and a defender in this January window.

Paper Round's view: Would be a hell of a coup for the Foxes, although they’d have to splash a fair amount of cash down to get his services. Newcastle’s bid is believed to be in the region of £17m, and you’d imagine it’ll take a pretty strong bid to get Berahino’s services.

Everton have captured the signature of promising full-back Sam Byram, with the 22-year-old confirmed to have joined the Toffees yesterday evening, according to the Guardian. Byram was out of contract at the end of this season and is now going to discuss personal terms with Everton.

Paper Round's view: This will annoy Leeds fans as their prospects are being sold off one by one, but young Byram is one to watch and is an overdue defensive back-up Everton have been crying out for. Interesting to see how he’ll make the jump to the pace of the Premier League, although his output so far has been quite impressive.