Paper Round: Karim Benzema's agent 'holds talks' with Manchester United

Benzema agent holds talks with Red Devils: Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward met Karim Benzema's agent earlier this week to discuss a move to Old Trafford, claim the Manchester Evening News. Woodward was seen with Karim Djaziri at The Savoy hotel in London and plans to lodge a £40m bid for the 27-year-old France international imminently. Real Madrid appointed Rafa Benitez as their new head coach earlier this week and the feeling is that he may want to revamp his side's attack this summer, with Benzema being the man who may move on.

Paper Round's view: Manchester United are almost certain to sign another top-class striker this summer with Radamel Falcao, Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie all likely to depart. Karim Benzema is certainly one of the best centre-forwards in the world but a deal will depend on Real Madrid's plans, too. If Benzema were to become available there is no doubt that clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal would be interested and that a deal would happen.

Manchester City will offer £30m for Raheem Sterling: The Mirror claim that Manchester City will make an opening bid of £25m plus £5m in add-ons for Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling as the scramble begins for the 20-year-old's signature. Sterling has made it clear that he will not sign a new contract at Liverpool and is pressing for a move. With two years remaining on his current deal, the Reds must decide whether to do a deal this summer or risk losing him for a lot less in the future.

Paper Round's view: We all know that Liverpool are not going to sell Raheem Sterling for £30m. Yes, he may well move to a Premier League rival this summer but Liverpool will use the competition for his signature to drive up the price. Manchester City are rightly favourites to sign the former QPR trainee, with money to spend and a desperate need for "home grown" players, but it will cost them more than £30m for the priviledge.

Arsenal bid for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain: Everyone wants to sign a striker this summer and Arsenal are no different. Italian newspaper La Gezzetta dello Sport claim that the Gunners have made a bid of €40m for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, who they almost signed from Real Madrid two years ago. The bid has apparently been dismissed by Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, who wants €50m (£36.4m) before he considers letting the 27-year-old leave Stadio San Paolo. With Napoli missing out on Champions League football next season, Higuain is believed to be keen on a move to the Emirates.

Paper Round's view: What's certain is that Gonzalo Higuain is a player that Arsene Wenger rates. Arsenal came very close to signing him for £23m from Real Madrid in 2013 before the asking price was raised and Napoli eventually got him for around £32m. Arsenal have more money to spend than they did two seasons ago but will Wenger be willing to pay an inflated price for a player he deemed too expensive two years ago? Higuain is an excellent striker and would make Arsenal more potent but would he improve the side enough to be worth €50m? Probably not.

Robin van Persie agrees £10m move to Lazio: Manchester United striker Robin van Persie will move to Italian side Lazio for £10m, say the Daily Star. Citing an article in Italian daily Il Messaggero, they say the Dutchman will sign a four-year contract at Stadio Olimpico. Lazio claimed the final Champions League spot in Serie A after a dramatic last-day win over Napoli and could even face Manchester United in the Champions League play-off in August.

Paper Round's view: After his comments earlier this week, it seems clear that Robin van Persie will leave Manchester United this summer. He will be 32 before the season starts and his influence at the club is on the wane. If the Red Devils could get anything like £10m for a player of his age, with one-year left on his contract, it would be an incredible deal. In fact, too good to be true. While he will probably go, it will be for less than the Daily Star claim and reports of a deal being done with Lazio feel premature.