Paper Round: Manchester United and Chelsea to fight for Nathaniel Clyne

United and Chelsea want Clyne: Chelsea are set to challenge Manchester United for the signature of Southampton and England right-back Nathaniel Clyne, according to a report in the Daily Mirror. The Premier League leaders are ready to go head-to-head with the Red Devils for the 23-year-old after a hugely impressive season for the south coast club. United manager Louis van Gaal has reportedly made Clyne one of his priorities this summer, but the Dutchman now faces stiff competition from the Blues, who are in need of increasing their number of homegrown players. Clyne, rated at around £15m, joined Southampton in 2012 and his current deal expires in 2016. Saints boss Ronald Koeman wants the full-back to extend his stay at St Mary's but Clyne is in no rush to sign a new contract and looks set to assess his options in the summer.

Paper round’s view: Clyne has been one of a number of Southampton players to shine this season and has deservedly attracted the attention of the likes of United and Chelsea. Manchester United are desperate for a right-sided defender, having experimented with a number of different defensive combinations this term, and Clyne would fit Louis van Gaal’s preferred 3-5-2 formation – operating as an attacking wing-back. Chelsea, on the other hand, have one of world football’s most consistent and impressive right-backs in the shape of Branislav Ivanovic. The Serb is 31, however, so Chelsea could look to Clyne as one for the future and at around £15m, could get a future England star at a decent price. But after such a stellar season in the Premier League, it remains to be seen whether Clyne would settle for anything less than guaranteed first-team football.

- - -

City want Toure to stay: Manchester City are to start negotiations with midfielder Yaya Toure about a new contract, hoping to keep him at the Etihad Stadium beyond 2017, write the Daily Star. The Ivorian’s current deal – worth a whopping £200,000-per-week – is due to expire in 2017 but the hierarchy at City are keen to tie the 31-year-old down to a long-term deal, reportedly until he retires from football. The Daily Star report that chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak is willing to offer the Ivory Coast ace a deal that also includes a coaching and ambassadorial role once he hangs up his boots. Toure has helped guide City to two Premier League titles and both domestic cups, and although manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted earlier in the year that the club is not a one-man team, City were reminded of his importance when they failed to win in six matches during the time he was on international duty at the African Cup of Nations – a tournament in which he guided Ivory Coast to victory.

Paper round’s view: Yaya Toure is still one of the finest midfielder’s in world football and City would do well to extend his contract. Of course, it is hard to forget his temper tantrum last year, however, when it seemed certain that he would leave the club after they failed to acknowledge his birthday. The 6’ 2” power house spat his dummy, seemingly looking for an excuse – any excuse – to leave the club, but all was quickly forgotten and the midfielder is back to his best and could now lead City to an unlikely Premier League title after a recent stutter by league leaders Chelsea.

- - -

United to offload Rafael in the summer: Manchester United will listen to offers at the end of the season for defender Rafael as manager Louis van Gaal prepares a clear out, according to a report in the Telegraph. Manager Louis van Gaal reportedly held talks with vice-chairman Ed Woodward earlier this week regarding the future of 20 United players including Rafael, David de Gea, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. Rafael’s current United deal is due to expire in the summer of 2016 and with the Old Trafford club set to step up their interest in Southampton’s Clyne, they could look to offload the Brazilian at the end of this season. The 24-year-old has not played since the FA Cup third-round win at Yeovil and his prospects at Old Trafford have diminished after the Red Devils handed 19-year-old Paddy McNair a new deal earlier this month.

Paper round’s view: It seems almost certain that Rafael will leave Manchester United this summer. Having featured just nine times in the league – and most of those as a substitute – the Brazilian’s days are numbered, and with just over 12 months left on his contract, United will look to accumulate as much cash as possible. After rewarding Paddy McNair with a new long-term deal, Louis van Gaal claimed that the Northern Irishman could be the club’s right-back for “the next 10 years”, and if the rumours regarding the possible purchase of Clyne are true, then Rafael will fall even further down the pecking order.

- - -

Ibe set new mega contract at Liverpool: Liverpool are ready to give winger Jordon Ibe a five-year contract that will more than quadruple his pay to around £25,000 a week, according to the Daily Mirror. The youngster currently earns £6,000-per-week at Anfield but he is set to be rewarded a new deal after breaking into the first team this season. “Ex-Wycombe trainee Ibe is already being tipped for an England call-up on the back of some excellent first team appearances. That will see Liverpool move to tie him down for a new long term deal. Liverpool reward their best youngsters with staggered deals to reward progress and Ibe is likely to get in excess of £25,000-a-week. Ibe grew up as a Manchester United fan but is now worshipped at Anfield,” claims the report.

Paper round’s view: “Worshipped at Anfield”? Really? Well, if that’s the case then he must deserve a new deal that will see his wages quadruple… Ibe has certainly impressed in the few games that he’s played for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season and has shown real promise, but a new deal already? Paper Round despairs.