Paper Round: Manchester United set to swoop for Christian Benteke

Manchester United readying move for Aston Villa star Christian Benteke: Manchester United are ready to launch a bid for Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke, that is according to the Daily Star. With Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao looking almost certain to leave, Louis van Gaal is set to turn his attentions to the Belgian international. The paper also adds that the £25 million-rated Benteke has two years left on his current deal.

Paper Round’s view: Villa could be sorely tempted to cash in on their prized asset this summer – particularly as his value will begin to fall as his contract nears its end. If Villa elect not to cash in this summer then his value will plummet substantially come next summer. These considerations will become academic if Villa are relegated, mind. From United’s perspective, this deal makes sense: they will be getting a proven Premier League calibre striker who broadly suits Van Gaal’s philosophy.

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Manuel Pellegrini talks on possibility of the sack: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted for the first time he could be sacked if he finishes outside the Champions League places this season. The Mail report the Chilean as saying: “You are wrong if you think that, at this club, you are out if you don’t win the title. (But) If we miss out (on the Champions League) then maybe it will be different because that would not be the same thing. If that happens, the analysis of the season will be different. Not to play in the Champions League is a disaster.”

Paper Round’s view: Pellegrini should absolutely be sacked if City do not make the top four – in fact, he should hand in his resignation. However, City will almost certainly make the top four; if they win their game in hand then they are just one point behind Manchester United, so they could even make third. The decision the board has to make is whether to keep him if they make the top four - he seems bullish that they will. It is looking more and more likely that they may actually stick with the Chilean and wait it out for Pep Guardiola, whose contract expire in 2016.

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Angel Di Maria tells Manchester United he wants to stay: Former Real Madrid star Di Maria has told club officials that he intends to stay at the club, reports the Daily Mirror. Di Maria was said to be considering his future at the club after it he was left badly shaken when armed thugs attempted to break into his home while he was eating with his wife and daughter. Di Maria’s form has dipped after a blistering start to his United career, with his last goal coming on October 5th. He has been out of the team recently but boss Louis van Gaal is said to be impressed with his attitude and believes he will be a major force net season.

Paper Round’s view: This can only be good news for United. While his form has dipped, Di Maria remains an incredibly talented footballer and, having settled in Manchester and allowed himself to become more accustomed to the league, he should really come into his own next season. Such is his talent, he could become the league’s standout player.

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Raheem Sterling could buy-out the last year of his contract: Raheem Sterling could force his way out of Liverpool this summer by buying out the last year of his contract, reports the Daily Mail. The papers states that “under Premier League regulations the 20-year-old is entitled to 'buy-out' the last year of his current contract which runs out in 2017” and adds that “the effect of that would see the fee Liverpool could command for the forward dramatically reduce.” It would only cost Sterling £1.7 million to buy-out the last year of his deal but such a move could cost Liverpool up to £25 million in transfer fees as it would effectively put Sterling in the last year of his contract this summer.

Paper Round’s view: The Mail appear to be referring to – without actually referencing - the Webster ruling , which allows players to walk away from their contracts after a fixed period, regardless of the duration of said contract. Basically, the player buys himself out of the contract. The Mail claim that at £35,000-per-week it would cost Sterling £1.7 million. However, as shown by the case of Brazilian Matuzalem, it is not always as simple as that. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Shakhtar Donetsk – the club he left – were owed £11m, which was substantially more than just his wages. Furthermore, the Guardian claim that “most Premier League contracts now include a clause specifying that compensation for unilateral termination should be based on a player's true transfer market value.” Put simply this looks as though it won’t happen.