Paper Round: Lionel Messi 'nears Chelsea move'

Chelsea close to signing Messi: The Daily Express reports that Lionel Messi is considering a move to Chelsea this summer, with the Argentine star locked in a major wrangle over money with Barcelona. The forward is ready to try to trigger a move to Stamford Bridge, according to the report, with Adidas willing to help broker a deal. Barca have placed a near-£200 million price tag on Messi's head but with the help of the sportswear giants - who provide boots for Messi and are Chelsea's kit manufacturers - a deal may get done.

Paper Round's view: The paper adds some pretty damning evidence that points to Messi coming to Chelsea (or not, depending on how much you want to believe it): Messi's close friend Cesc Fabregas has been trying to persuade him to join Chelsea; Messi is learning English; Messi is unimpressed about the attention lavished on Neymar in Barcelona; and Messi is stewing that he gets paid less than Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. It all adds up, doesn't it? Well, of course, all these 'leaks' might well simply be coming from Messi's camp, who are trying to get an improved deal out of Barca, and Chelsea don't really stands a chance of luring one of the greatest players of all time - still in his prime - to West London. So don't get too excited just yet.

- - -

Wenger to be given more cash in January: Arsenal's spending power in the new year is set to be increased as the club try to give Arsene Wenger what he needs to solve his crippling injury crisis. The Daily Telegraph reports that with Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta both ruled out for months, the Gunners are desperate for reinforcements in midfield - as well as their long-term need for more defenders. Yohan Cabaye, Grzegorz Krychowiak and James McCarthy are all of interest to Wenger. The Frenchman's budget is currently £20m, but there is an acceptance inside the club that more will have to be made available if Wenger is to sign two defenders and a midfielder.

Paper Round's view: You couldn't make it up, could you? Just like Manchester United, the injuries keep on rolling at Arsenal. With Wilshere and Arteta the latest to succumb to long-term injuries, Wenger must now add a central midfielder to his wish list - but at least the club appear willing to fund him. Cabaye seems to be the most enticing of the trio mentioned, and the France international could be available for a cut-price given he is not considered first-choice at Paris Saint-Germain. A move back to the Premier League could well suit him on a personal level while if he can rediscover the form that earned him a £19m move from Newcastle to Paris, Arsenal would be big winners.

- - -

United to win race for 'new Hazard': Manchester United are in pole position to sign Belgian starlet Zakaria Bakkali, the boy dubbed the 'new Eden Hazard'. The Daily Star reports that Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are also interested in the 18-year-old, but United are set to finalise a pre-contract agreement in January to get him for free next summer, when his current deal with PSV Eindhoven expires.

Paper Round'sview: Players who are labelled 'the next [insert world class player's name]' are always going to be a risk. Most of them just happen to be from the same country and play in the same position as said world class player, and the last thing they need is the added pressure of such comparisons. Needless to say, most of these players never live up to expectations. And Bakkali already seems to be suffering - he has been demoted to PSV's B team this season and isn't even playing for PSV's first team. Still, perhaps all he needs is some better guidance, something he get from Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.

- - -

Carroll will return to Newcastle: Former Newcastle striker will return to St. James' Park, according to Toon boss Alan Pardew. The Daily Mirror reports that Pardew is a big fan of the player who returned to West Ham's starting line-up for the first time this season last weekend and is keen to take him back to Tyneside. However, he does not think a move in the next few transfer windows is realistic - more likely that the Magpies will wait for Carroll's contract at Upton Park to wind down before making any move. He has over four years to run on it.

Paper Round's view: This seems to be more of a sentimental opinion from Pardew, rather than an idea with any kind of real motivation behind it - popular former player returns to hometown club. It's got a nice ring to it, but with Carroll seemingly happy in East London at the moment, this move isn't going to happen for the foreseeable future.

- - -

Whelan to fight case with FA: Dave Whelan will fight for his reputation after his the FA charged him over his statement about 'Jews chasing money'. The Sun reports the Wigan chairman is set to request a personal hearing when he will argue that his claim was actually a tribute to Jewish people's business acumen, rather than a racist slur.

Paper Round's view: Can somebody please tell Mr Whelan not to bother fighting his cause. He already tried to do that in an interview on Sky Sports and only managed to dig a deeper hole for himself. One fears that hole is bottomless should he open his mouth again.

- - -