Paper Round: United consider move for Real Madrid defender

United target Real star: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is considering a move for unsettled Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to the Daily Star. With United desperate for defensive reinforcements in January, the France international has appeared on the Dutchman's wanted list. The paper claims that Gerard Pique remains United's first choice target, but he is reluctant to leave the Nou Camp. Ron Vlaar is also on Van Gaal's hit list, but he has suffered from injury this season and there are doubts over his long-term fitness. Varane finds himself behind Sergio Ramos and Pepe in the Madrid pecking order and has become frustrated with the situation. United could offer the highly-rated 21-year-old a regular place in the first-team, although whether they would meet Real's asking price of around £30 million remains to be seen.

Paper Round's view: Varane is a player on the rise, and one that could conceivably fit the bill at United. But two things about this particular story. 1) United have indicated that their focus will be on the summer transfer window, when their targets are more likely to be available, and 2) the quotes from Varane about becoming frustrated at the Bernabeu ("It's different with the national team. I get more minutes and have more responsibility in the team. The aim is to reach the same level of involvement in the club.") hardly point to a desire to leave and seek pastures new.

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Arsenal, Liverpool on alert over Shaqiri: Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is prepared to allow Xherdan Shaqiri to leave the Bundesliga club on loan in January, putting Arsenal and Liverpool on red alert. The Daily Mirror reports that the Germans want a £1.5m loan fee and are ready to set up a deal to make that permanent next summer - reportedly around £12m. Napoli and Atletico Madrid are also interested in the Switzerland international. Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller are currently preferred by Guardiola, leading the report to claim that "a chance at an extended run of games in the Premier League would surely appeal" to him.

Paper Round's view: Just what Arsenal need - another wide man. Why on earth are the Gunners linked to creative, attacking midfielders every week, when their real need is at the back, or a holding midfielder? The mind boggles. Anyway, Shaqiri may indeed fancy a move elsewhere, given his lack of playing time, but an extended run in La Liga may appeal just as much as a move to England.

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Lampard may extend City stay: Frank Lampard's excellent form may lead to an extended stay with Manchester City, according to the Independent. A clause in the midfielder's contract with MLS side New York City FC allows him to extend his period on loan at the Etihad beyond the start of the American season in March. City could well capitalise on that, given his current form, and keep him until the end of the European season.

Paper Round's view: Why not? Lampard's clearly not quite ready to downgrade to the MLS and still has what it takes to compete at Premier League and Champions League level. But that's just from City's localised view point. The club's owners, the Abu Dhabi Group, may see things differently, in a more global respect. They've already committed Lampard to their American branch and if he were not to turn up for the season launch, it may have a damaging effect on their brand. So, Lampard may yet leave these shores in February, even if he has so much more to offer City.

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