Paper Round: Liverpool 'to move for England forward'

Liverpool ‘to move for England forward’ - Brendan Rodgers wants to sign West Brom hot-shot Saido Berahino in January, according to a report in the Daily Mirror. Liverpool boss Rodgers is pushing for a move to get the England striker to solve his injury crisis. Tottenham have also been looking at Berahino while Manchester United have been linked with the 21-year-old, according to the paper, with the forward having received his first senior England call-up for this month's double header against Slovenia and Scotland. It will be a high-profile move from Liverpool, who desperately need a new striker

Paper Round’s view: It is clear that West Brom are determined to keep Berahino and are trying to tie him down to a new contract but are facing an increasing battle to hold on to him. Of course, it makes complete sense for Liverpool to want to sign another striker given Daniel Sturridge’s injury woes this season. The Kop club's need is pressing with Sturridge facing yet another spell on the sidelines and summer signing Mario Balotelli struggling to find his feet at Anfield. Is Berahino the man to fix Rodgers’s problems? It would certainly be a risk.

Arsenal ‘leading the chase for Chelsea hero’ - Arsenal remain favourites to sign Petr Cech from Chelsea should they pay the £7 million asking price, that’s according to a report in the Daily Mail. AC Milan, Roma and Real Madrid have all shown an interest while his agent maintains Liverpool are also in the frame. But the 32-year-old, who starred for the Czech Republic last week, wants to play regularly after being displaced by Thibaut Courtois as Chelsea's number one and Arsenal are very much in pole position to sign the goalkeeper.

Paper Round’s view: Speaking at Chelsea's press conference on Friday, ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash at home to West Brom, Jose Mourinho revealed he hasn't received any offers for Cech. “On my desk, normally from my board's desk the information arrives, I have zero. Zero proposals. At this moment, Petr Cech is our goalkeeper and has a contract for two more years,” he said. Can we believe this? It’s clear that Mourinho wants to keep Cech, but at a certain point his professionalism at being second choice could reach a tipping point.

United striker ‘set to leave this summer’ - Manchester United are planning for life without Robin van Persie and look certain to part company with the Dutch striker in the summer with a year remaining on his current contract, that’s according to the Independent. The 31-year-old former Arsenal star stands to land an additional £10 million in loyalty bonuses if he sees out his four-year contract at Old Trafford. But indifferent form and concerns over his fitness have led United to embark on a search for his successor with Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani and Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller both on the radar, according to the Independent and Evening Standard.

Paper Round’s view: Following David Moyes' departure and the arrival of Louis van Gaal it was anticipated his close working relationship with the former Dutch national boss would signal a return to form. But it hasn't materialised and Van Gaal allows no room for sentiment when it comes to success. The arrival of Radamel Falcao from Monaco on-loan was clearly a message of intent so it should come as little surprise to anyone that United may be looking to move Van Persie on given his age and injury history – coupled with the fact that his confidence appears to have diminished badly this season.

Chelsea ‘beat Tottenham to striker’ – Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric is set to join Chelsea instead of Spurs, reports the Daily Star. The Blues are apparently one of a host of clubs trailing the Croatian forward and it appears they have won the race for his signature. Among the clubs linked with the 23-year-old are Italian side Atlanta and their sporting director Pierpaolo Marino reportedly insists the striker is going to Stamford Bridge. Kramaric will provide support for Diego Costa and Loic Remy in the Chelsea attacking ranks.

Paper Round’s view: AC Milan and Inter Milan also thought to be interested, but it would make sense for Mourinho to want to bolster his forward department. Kramaric has put in a number of impressive performances for his club Rijeka which have earned him a call up to his national side and he justified his selection with goals against Malta and Azerbaijan in Croatia's Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. This could be a very interesting move for the 23-year-old with little pressure being behind Costa in the pecking order.