Paper Round: Chelsea and Manchester City to fight for Ross Barkley

Chelsea to do battle with City for Barkley: Manchester City and Chelsea want to sign Everton's England international midfielder Ross Barkley, who has been valued at £50m by his club, according to the Star on Sunday. Man City have reportedly been tracking the 21-year-old for 12 months, with Etihad chiefs earmarking Barkley as an essential English signing. The powers that be at the Etihad had hoped on capturing Barkley for a sum of around £30m this summer, but Everton boss Roberto Martinez is refusing to budge on his valuation of the future England star and will demand a minimum of £50m if the youngster is to leave Goodison Park. And if City are to secure the services of Barkley then they will face stiff competition from Chelsea, who have also shown an interest in the 21-year-old.

Paper round’s view: It seems rather likely that Ross Barkley will depart Everton, whether it be this year or some time in the future. The youngster returned from a lengthy lay-off this season and hasn’t quite hit the dizzying heights that saw him earn his first England call last year, but has continued to improve in an Everton side that have stuttered in the league this year. As always, English players are at a premium and Everton know that they hold all the cards in this potential transfer saga. And with City and Chelsea always keen on adding to their homegrown players, the two Premier League big guns will have to fork out a considerable sum to pry him away from Goodison. Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini is expected to overhaul his squad in the summer and Barkley would be a good place to start, if they can persuade him to join them of Chelsea.

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Chelsea to swoop for Varane: Chelsea are planning a £40m bid for Real Madrid's France international defender Raphael Varane, according to the Sun. Varane is Chelsea’s top transfer target this summer and Jose Mourinho has been given the green light to sign the centre back. It is believed that Varane is unhappy with playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu and is considering his options, particularly as Pepe – one of the two men keeping him out of the team – is set to sign a new contract with Los Galacticos. Varane is reportedly keen on joining up with Mourinho once again after the Chelsea boss signed the Frenchman for Real Madrid from Lens in 2011.

Paper round’s view: Raphael Varane has made it perfectly clear that he wants more playing time at Real Madrid and has previously revealed that he may have to leave the Spanish capital this summer. Whilst acknowledging that Pepe and Sergio Ramos are the club’s first-choice centre-backs, Varane – who has captained his national team in recent weeks – feels he needs to play regularly if he is to develop his game. And while Chelsea’s defensive partnership of Gary Cahill and John Terry looks strong enough to win a Premier League title this year, Mourinho may be forced into a reshuffle is he is to sign Varane.

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Milner to join Liverpool: Manchester City will allow James Milner to join Liverpool in the summer as the Reds look to find a replacement Steven Gerrard, write the Mirror. The England midfielder has apparently decided to call time on his career at the Etihad after it has been made clear to him that he will not be a regular starter for City next season. And Liverpool have moved to tell Milner that his favoured central midfield role – left vacant by the departing Gerrard – is his if he opts to join them this summer. Brendan Rodgers his experience, energy and reputation will be a good influence on his young players as Liverpool move forward after the Gerrard era.

Paper round’s view: James Milner reportedly told Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini that he would leave in the summer if he could be guaranteed “a fair crack of the whip” next season, so if the Mirror are right in what they are saying then it seems abundantly clear that the former Villa man is only considered a bit-part player moving forward for the reigning Premier League champions. Milner’s departure would be a blow for City fans, who rate the 29-year-old as one of their most honest performers, whilst his exit will be a bigger set-back to City’s quota of English players. Whether Milner could fill Gerrard’s boots remains to be scene, but the versatile England star can certainly play in the heart of midfield and would provide an energy that the departing Anfield stalwart can no longer offer.

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Arsenal want Southampton’s Wanyama: Arsenal are keen to sign Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama and Anderlecht's Serbia international striker Aleksandar Mitrovic for a combined fee of £30m, according to the Sun. The report suggests that the Gunners will offer Southampton £20m in the summer to secure the services of the Kenyan midfielder, whilst Wenger is also willing to shell out £10m for Serbia hitman Mitrovic, after regularly sending scouts to watch him at Belgian outfit Anderlecht. Wenger will reportedly have to move quickly for Wanyama, though, with fierce rivals Tottenham also interested in the 23-year-old.

Paper round’s view: It’s unsurprising that Arsenal are after a midfielder of Wanyama’s stature, with the Gunners lacking a powerful, all-action figure in their team. Following his move from Celtic, Wanyama has more than proved that he can cut it in England’s top flight and would perfectly compliment the creative characters already in Wenger’s midfield. Regarding Mitrovic, the 20-year-old would be a gamble, but with 30 goals in 59 appearances for Anderlecht, it could be one that pays off should Wenger be able to secure his services.