Paper Round: Manchester United's huge boost over Strootman

Huge boost for Manchester United over Strootman: The Daily Express reports that Roma have admitted that they will not be able to keep Dutch midfield star Kevin Strootman in the face of interest from Manchester United. Roma club chief Rudi Garcia, "has repeatedly refuted claims that Strootman will be sold to Manchester United in January, but has finally indicated that he has no say in the matter." The Dutchman, who is recovering from serious injury earlier this year, cost just £15 million last summer - but his outstanding displays transformed Roma last season, and a £30m bid is expected in January.

Paper Round's view: Strootman was a revelation, and perhaps the key man in the rejuvenated Roma line-up that went on a record-breaking winning streak at the start of last season. But his ACL injury was a huge blow - and such a massive bid would be a huge risk for a player who is not yet back in action. Not that taking risks has appeared to be a problem for Louis van Gaal at United so far, of course... The other question is this: will Roma's chiefs really sell a prize asset? Well, the club owners will probably look at their club sitting joint top of Seria A, and consider the result against City this week, and decide they can cope without him, especially if a sale brings in £30m or more. And as for the man himself? With compatriots Van Gaal, Robin van Persie and Daley Blind all at Old Trafford already, it's very easy to imagine him fancying the switch - particularly given that it would bring with it a huge pay rise.

Khedira fancies January move to England: The Daily Mirror reports that Sami Khedira is ready to force a move to the Premier League in January, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all in the running to snare the Real Madrid midfielder. The Germany international is out of contract at the end of the season and the Spanish club do not want him to leave for free, meaning a cut-price move in the New Year could be on the cards. The World Cup winner fancies a move to England, according to the report, but he may have to lower his £200,000-a-week wage demands - and prove his fitness - if the likes of Arsenal are to take their interest further.

Paper Round's view: The links with the Premier League trio are nothing new, Arsenal in particular, but this latest report, apparently emanating from Spain, adds some slight meat onto the bones with the news that Khedira will not sign a new deal to keep him at the Bernabeu beyond this season. Real would, therefore, be silly not to try at least get something for him in January. That said, however, the player has apparently been unwilling to take a pay cut, but the three English clubs are almost certain not to take him on at that level of pay. Something has to give - and that something is Khedira's own demands if he is to get his move away from Madrid.

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Sturridge offered bumper new deal: Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is expected to sign a bumper new deal this week to keep him at Anfield until 2019. The England international's wages are set to rocket to £150,000 a week, according to The Sun, in a deal worth £40 million over the next five years. The player and club have been negotiating terms over the past couple of months and a deal is now finally close to being reached. Sturridge will become Liverpool's second highest earner, behind captain Steven Gerrard, who makes £170,000 a week.

Paper Round's view: This comes as no surprise, considering Sturridge's progress at Liverpool. His importance to Brendan Rodgers has only been highlighted since the departure of Luis Suarez, and this new deal should reflect his current standing in the Anfield hierarchy. And with several newspapers reporting this story today, there is little reason to disbelieve the offer is on the table.

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Arsenal an option for Tiote: Cheick Tiote wants to leave Newcastle and Arsenal have made contact with the Ivory Coast star, according to the Daily Mail. The midfielder was quoted in the Ivorian press as saying he is ready to quit St James' Park after four years on Tyneside, with Arsenal as well as an undisclosed Russian club keen to land him.

Paper Round's view: This was reported yesterday, but the Arsenal link was not made clear. Of course, any move to the Emirates may be dependent on Khedira's situation, but the Ivory Coast star would certainly come cheaper than his German counterpart. Sadly, Tiote is not as good as Khedira, although he may be able to blossom under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger.

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Shaw demoted by England: Luke Shaw is set to be overlooked by England manager Roy Hodgson for next week's Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia. The Daily Mirror is among the papers to report that the Manchester United left-back will instead be named by U21s manager Gareth Southgate for their two-leg European Championship qualifying play-off against Croatia. Arsenal defender Calum Chambers and West Brom striker Saido Berahino are also likely to stay in the U21s squad.

Paper Round's view: It may well be a blow to Shaw's ego, but he can't really have any complaints about the 'demotion'. He's hardly played for his new club this season amid injury and fitness issues and just because he was included in the World Cup squad and was the subject of a ludicrously bloated transfer over the summer, does not give him an automatic right to play for his country. Any player must prove their worth to be included in Hodgson's squad and Shaw has yet to do that this season.

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Ferdinand criticised by Kick It Out: Football’s leading anti-racism group has hit back at QPR defender Rio Ferdinand after the former Manchester United man criticised the organisation in his autobiography. Ferdinand has been told "don’t use us as your punchbag" by head of the group Lord Herman Ouseley after describing them as "useless". The war of words stems from the John Terry racism trial, when Ferdinand claims Kick It Out failed to support his brother Anton. Kick It Out claim that one of their number sat with the brothers' parents every day of the trial.

Paper Round's view: Rio probably deserves this blast. On the face of it, his criticism in this case is unwarranted - he did not even attend the trial himself, so to accuse Kick It Out of being unsupportive is a bit rich, especially since they did have a representative present. Still, he has a book to sell, and any publicity is good publicity, as they say.

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