Paper Round: Real Madrid 'set terms of Bale deal'

Real Madrid demand De Gea for Bale: Real Madrid are willing to sanction the sale of Gareth Bale to Manchester United but only if David De Gea is part of the deal, reports the Daily Mirror. De Gea currently has 18 months left on his deal and Madrid want to use that contractual uncertainty and United’s desire to secure the services of Bale to lure the Spanish stopper to Madrid. Iker Casillas has been on the wane in recent years and Madrid are keen to secure his long term successor and De Gea fits the bill.

Paper Round’s view: This is the archetypal test of resolve. Do United really want Bale? Or, more pertinently, are they willing to sacrifice the Premier League’s best goalkeeper to secure his services? With United’s defence already in disarray and an abundance of wealth in the attacking third it would surely be remiss of United to let De Gea go. Having said that, his contract situation could force their hand – if De Gea refuses to sign a new deal then they will probably have to sanction the deal rather than let him run his contract down. How United have let it come to this is another matter entirely.

Vidic to return to United? Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will turn to Nemanja Vidic in a bid to alleviate his team’s deficiencies in the centre of defence. Vidic was a rock in the centre of defence for United under Sir Alex Ferguson during their last title triumph before moving to Milan in November. But the Serbian has failed to settle and has been placed on the transfer list by manager Roberto Mancini.

According to the Daily Star, “Inter are unlikely to ask for a fee but will be delighted to rid themselves of Vidic's £50,000 a week wages. Vidic will be allowed to leave when the transfer window opens at the end of the week and he would love to return to United where he could provide a short fix in defence until the end of the season.”

Paper Round’s view: This surely is a no brainer. It would appear that Vidic’s skill set is not very compatible with Serie A, where he has endured a torrid season. The Serbian is a prove performer in the Premier League so this move would appear to suit all parties. Inter get an under-performing player off their wage bill, United acquire a prove defender to shore up a leaky defence and Vidic returns to a league he is comfortable in.

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Spurs step up pursuit of Berahino: Tottenham Hotspur are poised to make a move for West Brom’s Saido Berahino in January, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

The paper reports that the north London club “look poised to get the January transfer window rolling with a bid of more than £10 million for West Brom striker Saido Berahino but it does not look like it will be a busy month of big-money deals in the Premier League.”

Paper Round’s view: Berahino is widely reported to be seeking a move away from West Brom and it’s not the first time that Spurs have been linked with the striker. If the Baggies can lure Danny Ings from Burnley to fill the gap, then a £10 million bid would appear good business for a striker that has stuttered of late since his England call-up.

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Chelsea winning race for ‘new Neymar’: Chelsea are set to beat rivals Manchester United and Arsenal for the signature of Corinthians teenager Malcolm Silva. That is the view of the Sunday Express, who say the player “favours a switch to Stamford Bridge should he make the move to England.”

Paper Round’s view: This isn’t a massive biggie as the 17-year-old is something of an unknown quantity having made 25 senior appearances for Corinthians. Barcelona are rumoured to be interested, though, and Chelsea have succeeded in gambling on talented Brazilians in the past. Could well be worth a shot.

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Everton the latest club in for Januzaj: Paper Round reported yesterday that PSG are keen to keen to land the services of Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj in the January transfer window. Now The Mirror reports that Roberto Martinez is also interested in securing the services of the in-demand Belgian teenager.

Paper Round’s view: Januzaj has made only four starts for United this season and it’s natural that he will be eyed by other clubs, with Real Sociedad and Inter Milan also linked with the talented winger. As we reported yesterday, van Gaal is not giving too much away but the rumours persist. A loan deal isn’t out of the question although it’s more likely he will stay at United for the season.