Paper Round: Di Maria 'already considering United exit'

Angel Di Maria eyeing shock United exit: Despite only signing over the summer, Angel Di Maria is already considering his future at the club, reports the Daily Star. The Argentine was heavily linked with a move to PSG over that summer but the French club were unable to consider a deal due to Financial Fair Play constraints. However, during an interview with French TV channel Telefoot, Di Maria has admitted that he could play in Ligue 1 in the future. "Now I’m in the English league. But you never know, there is a lot of movements in football. You can never predict where you’re going to play. There were a lot of clubs interested in me. A lot really. But Manchester United appeared and didn’t go away. They absolutely wanted me and it happened. It could have been a good experience for me to go to Paris. I know I’m still young, perhaps I’ll go to PSG one day. I don’t know how it will all end."

Paper Round’s view: In isolation these quotes are hardly sensational. Not even the most ardent United fan would have expected Di Maria to stay at the club for the rest of his career. He will at some point leave United and it would not be a huge surprise were he to move to PSG at some point in his career. However, the timing of these quotes *could* be deemed as an early “come and get me plea”. To be fair to Di Maria he was probably just answering a question - but every player these knows the code. If you're well settled, you reply, "I'm very happy in [name of city] and am just focusing on my football." If you've got an eye on the revolving door, you say, "You never know what can happen in football, I'd love to play in [name of city] at some point in my career.

It's very early for any such talk - but realistically, Di Maria joined United to win trophies, not scrap for a Europa League berth. If United continue to toil he won't be the only one ready to jump ship in the summer.

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Chelsea in pole position to sign Reus: Today's Marco Reus news comes to you courtesy of the Daily Express, who report that Chelsea are now favourites to sign the German star. Reus has repeatedly been linked with a move away from Borussia Dortmund with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all said to be interested in signing the German international. Reus is thought to have a £25 million release clause in his contract and Chelsea will tempt Dortmund by offering Andre Schuerrle in part-exchange.

Paper Round’s view: This deal appears to suit all parties. Reus is, apparently, keen on a deal; Dortmund are resigned to losing their star man and Chelsea are willing to offload Schuerrle. The key to the deal getting done as early as January is that Dortmund would get an almost ready made replacement in the shape of Schuerrle.

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Steven Gerrard set to join Inter Milan in January: New Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is keen on bringing Steven Gerrard to Inter Milan, reports the Daily Mirror. Gerrard, 34, is out of contract this summer and is ready to listen to offers. Gerrard was thought to be considering a summer move to the MLS but would be open to a January switch to Serie A claims the paper.

Paper Round’s view: It seems almost unfathomable that Gerrard would wear the colours of another club - but with Liverpool yet to open negotiations with their captain the likelihood of that grows stronger each day. At the same time, the interest in Gerrard could force Liverpool’s hand. Call Paper Round cynical, but it would not put it beyond a football agent to drum up this interest to put pressure on the club. Yet if Gerrard were to move within Europe, Serie A seems the obvious - and probably the only - realistic destination, with a style and pace that seem tailor-made for his twilight years.

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Cardiff to release Ravel Morrison: Russell Slade may decide to release Ravel Morrison after admitting that it has “not quite happened for him” at Cardiff, reports the Western Mail. Since his move in September, Morrison has made only one start and four substitute appearances and, while he has been hampered by a knee injury, Slade is considering letting the England Under 21 international return to West Ham United.

Paper Round’s view: Morrison undoubtedly has bundles of talent but his reputation appears to be preceding him. There was a period last year when Morrison looked like he was startling to fulfil that potential at West Ham but he suddenly fell out of favour. Paper Round does worry that Morrison’s chance to put his off field indiscretions behind him may have passed. Cardiff was meant to be another fresh start for the youngster.