Paper Round: Chelsea closing on £19m Douglas Costa swoop

DOUGLAS COSTA KEEN ON CHELSEA: The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea have upped their bid for Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Douglas Costa to £18.7m after having an initial £16m offer rejected. The player told Brazil's GloboEsporte: "To play at Chelsea is a dream for any player." Andre Schuerrle and Mohamed Salah are set to leave Stamford Bridge this month, making room for Costa.

PAPER ROUND'S VIEW: It's not as if Chelsea need much more attacking midfield firepower, and Jose Mourinho insisted before the weekend that he would not be bringing anyone in this month. But then again, you would not expect Jose Mourinho or Roman Abramovich to pass up an opportunity to sign a quality player. Costa's quotes themselves don't mean much - it's no surprise that he fancies a move from strife-torn Ukraine. What bothers Paper Round is the capacity for name-based confusion. First Fernandinho and Fernando at Manchester City - then Diego Costa and Douglas Costa at Chelsea?

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TOTTENHAM CONSIDER £5M INGS MOVE: Tottenham Hotspur are set to make a January move for Burnley striker Danny Ings, who could arrive for as little as £5m. Ings is out of contract at the end of the season, and is also wanted by Chelsea and Manchester City, the Daily Mirror reports. But Spurs will steal a march on their rivals with a winter bid for the 22-year-old.

PAPER ROUND'S VIEW: This simply doesn't add up. Ings is one of Burnley's most important players, and could be the difference between relegation and staying in the Premier League. Also, if he leaves on a 'Bosman' at the end of the season, Burnley would be due around £3m training compensation. So what would be the point of the Clarets cashing in on Ings for only £2m extra, when his departure would massively jeopardise their survival prospects?

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ARSENAL IN PAULISTA WORK PERMIT WAIT: Arsenal are not guaranteed a work permit for Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista after they struck a £13.4m deal to sign him from Villarreal. Paulista has never played for his country so will fail the initial application - but Arsenal are hopeful of getting their man a work permit on appeal.

PAPER ROUND: This summer the rules will be simplified to give a work permit to any player costing over £10m, so it is highly unlikely that Paulista will be refused one. The whole application process for non-EU players is frankly bizarre, as it implies the Department of Work and Pensions are better judges of football ability than Arsene Wenger. There are better ways to protect English talent, such as the introduction of quotas.

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WEST BROM CLOSE ON MCMANAMAN DEAL: West Bromwich Albion are edging towards a £4.5 million deal for Wigan winger Callum McManaman, according to the Daily Mirror. The Baggies have made three bids for McManaman, who is looking for a way out of Wigan after the Latics slipped into the Championship relegation zone.

PAPER ROUND'S VIEW: We haven't seen much of McManaman since his form during Wigan's FA Cup-winning season in which they were also relegated. Based on that, £4.5 million looks a snip for a player with speed, skill and a flair for the unpredictable. Tony Pulis has never been shy to spend in the transfer market, but this looks like a good deal for West Brom.