Paper Round: Brendan Rodgers lined up for Aston Villa job after Liverpool sacking

Villa could hire Rodgers - Aston Villa need to see improvement or they will make a change and The Sun understands that Brendan Rodgers would be that change. The club has grown increasingly impatient with Tim Sherwood and they are giving him two matches to turn things around or face the sack. If things don't get better, Villa will turn to the former Liverpool manager to take over.

Paper Round's view - Rodgers has never come off as someone who would enjoy much time away from football. If he can get back into the Premier League, and at a decent club like Aston Villa, it seems like he'd jump at it. The question then becomes, why would Villa sack Sherwood now and hire Rodgers? Whatever you think of Sherwood and Rodgers, few would argue that Sherwood is the better manager so if Villa have a chance to upgrade, they should do it now.

Klopp targeting Aubameyang - Jurgen Klopp has made Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang his top transfer target for January, according to The Sun. Klopp signed Aubameyang to play for Borussia Dortmund, where he has played well. Now he's ready to bring him to Liverpool, with the hope that he can nab the forward for £35 million.

Paper Round's view - Aubameyang is a terrific player whose versatility would be a huge boost to Liverpool. When Aubameyang first joined Dortmund, he spent a fair bit of time on the wing, but then he went up top. He's proven he can be a good player in either position and that's crucial at a club bringing in a new manager and set to undergo massive changes. The ability to fit in several ways is key and Aubameyang gives them that, plus quality. Prying him from Dortmund won't be easy, though.

Spurs eyeing Simon - Moses Simon is the latest Gent player who has drawn the attention of Tottenham. The Mirror believe that Spurs are keen on Simon and are tracking his progress. The club were interested in Simon as a teenager, but the Nigerian opted to join Ajax instead. Now he, like team-mate Laurent Depoitre, are both in Spurs' crosshairs.

Paper Round's view - Simon is considered one of the better young players in Belgium. He scored seven goals last season, which isn't a bad output for a winger, and certainly not for one who was 19 at the start of the season. Now 20, Simon could be the latest young player to join Spurs. Tottenham have already signed Dele Alli, Son Heung-min, Clinton N'Jie and Kevin Wimmer this year, continuing their focus on signing youngsters.

Allardyce wants Tomkins - Sam Allardyce has to make several changes at Sunderland and The Star claim that one of them will be signing James Tomkins. The club has promised Allardyce money to spend in January and Allardyce is keen to reunite with the defender who played so well for him at West Ham. The Hammers don't want to sell Tomkins, but they would consider letting him go for £10m.

Paper Round's view - Teams of Sunderland's stature don't make a habit of spending £10m on centre backs, but the Black Cats' desperation to avoid relegation and new manager puts them in a unique spot. Toss in the TV money Premier League clubs are raking in and they can afford it too. Tomkins would be a big boost in the heart of defence and his prior relationship with Allardyce makes it much easier for him to fit in right away, which is key with January transfers.

Liverpool chasing Porto starlet - Klopp desperately wants to sign Ruben Neves, per The Mirror. The German wants to sign a left-back and defensive midfielder in January. Neves would be the midfielder, and the 18-year-old is well-known to those at Anfield. Klopp targeted him at Borussia Dortmund last season and Reds player development coach Pep Lijnders came from Porto, so he knows Neves well.

Paper Round's view - Klopp preferred young players at Borussia Dortmund and figures to do the same at Liverpool. Targeting an 18-year-old in a position of need who has proven himself in a good league already is exactly what the Reds figure to do a lot of going forward. When you toss in the club's familiarity with Neves, this all makes sense.