Paper Round: Liverpool to sign playmaker Mateo Kovacic from Inter

Liverpool negotiate a deal for Inter's Mateo Kovacic - With two Premier League midfielders going to Serie A, one man who is set to move in the opposite direction is Inter's 21-year-old Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to various papers. The playmaker is considered one of Europe’s rising stars, but is also one of the Nerazzurri’s most valuable assets. With Financial Fair Play restrictions hanging over the club, its believed they have to sell before they can buy this summer. The Daily Star claims Kovacic and Inter's sporting director Piero Ausilio met with three Liverpool executives on Friday. There is no word yet whether a bid was made, but it is believed that the 21-year-old would cost upward of €20m (£14.25m).

Paper Round's view - Well, in case you'd missed it, Liverpool do need to replace a midfielder this summer with club captain Steven Gerrard moving to MLS side LA Galaxy. Kovacic is one of the most hyped names in European football right now and if the Reds could complete a deal for 21-year-old, who already has 19 caps for Croatia, it would be a very exciting bit of business. However, if he really is made available for £14m, Liverpool are likely to face some pretty stiff competition for his signature.

Inter set to offer Cuadrado a route back to Serie A - Inter are reportedly trying to bring Juan Cuadrado back to Serie A after his struggles at Chelsea. The Colombian international became a star at Fiorentina, impressing domestically and in the Europa League, before moving to Stamford Bridge in January for around £27m plus the loan of Mohamed Salah. Cuadrado managed only 12 Premier League appearances, one in the Champions League and one in the League Cup, failing to score a goal. Roma and Napoli are also evaluating the situation and may both be able to offer Champions League football next season.

Paper Round's view - Juan Cuadrado's signing was the biggest move by a Premier League side during a very underwhelming January transfer window, so plenty of people have been waiting to see what he could do. So far, so very underwhelming. It would be a harsh move for Chelsea to give up on him already as it takes time to make the transition into a new league and culture, but, with Raheem Sterling potentially available this summer, the Blues may decide to cut their losses, especially if Cuadrado is keen on returning to Italy.

Juventus target Oscar as their Pirlo replacement - Continuing the theme of Chelsea players moving to Italy, the Daily Mail claim Juventus will target Brazilian midfielder Oscar as they reshape their midfield this summer. Veteran Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo is set to move to MLS after playing in the Champions League final and they will need to replace his creativity. 23-year-old Oscar already has 45 caps for Brazil and has had an impressive three years at Chelsea so far, but there is a growing sense he may not be in Jose Mourinho's long-term plans. Costing Chelsea £19million in 2012, Oscar is not going to be cheap.

Paper Round's view - If Oscar does leave Chelsea, Juventus seem like a very plausible club for him to go to. There are strong rumours about all three of Juventus' star midfielders leaving this summer, with Andrea Pirlo linked with a move to MLS, Arturo Vidal with Arsenal and Paul Pogba with almost every big team in Europe. With Sami Khedira set to join the Old Lady and take on the industrious box-to-box role, Oscar could be the new playmaker they are looking for. It feels like several other transfers need to happen to make this one plasible but it may just happen.

West Ham make a second approach for Ajax coach Frank de Boer - West Ham are a persistent lot but, when you get loaned the Olympic Stadium for 100 years, it shows that sometimes it pays to be. According to the Express, they have made another inquiry for Ajax boss Frank de Boer as they look to fill the rather large managerial vacancy that Sam Allardyce has left behind. The Express say that West Ham's initial request was dismissed by the Dutch club a few days ago but talks have now restarted. Another option for West Ham is apparently Sevilla coach Unai Emery, but he is expected to be offered a big new deal after the club defended the Europa League on Thursday.

Paper Round's view - All of the rumours suggest that West Ham are after a "big-name" manager this summer, having been linked with Jurgen Klopp, Marcelo Bielsa and Carlo Ancelotti. It would not be a surprise is they were interested in de Boer, and there is no harm in asking, but there is a growing sense that they will have to set their sights a little lower. Slaven Bilic seems like the obvious candidate with his links to the club and experience coaching Croatia, Lokomotiv Moscow and Besiktas. He also seems to have the charisma and profile the club are looking for and could grow into the level of manager West Ham aspire to.