Paper Round: Cesc Fabregas wants to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid and Everton approach Jose Mourinho

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas wants to move back to Spain and join Real Madrid - according to The Daily Star. Spain international Fabregas has been underwhelming in his second season at Stamford Bridge, and with new manager Antonio Conte keen to overhaul the squad in the summer Fabregas is thought to be considered surplus to requirements. His preferred destination is the Bernabeu, while Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is also thought to be a long-term admirer of the player.

Paper Round's view: This story doesn't make sense. Fabregas hasn't been great this season, that's hard to argue against, but he's one of the only players in the Premier League capable of dictating the tempo of a game in the manner that he does and Conte would surely be reticent to let such a player leave the club. But even more confusing about this link is the Real Madrid angle. Fabregas is a Barcelona boy and he's never shown any interest in switching allegiance. And even if he does decide that the Bernabeu is the place for him, would he make the first team? Probably not. Luka Modric is simply a far better player right now than Fabregas, and while the Spaniard would stand more chance of jumping ahead of Toni Kroos or Isco in the pecking order, those two are far younger than Cesc. This should be a non-starter.

Everton have attempted to jump to the head of the queue and steal Jose Mourinho from under the noses of Manchester United - says The Express. Mourinho is patiently waiting for a chance to take over at Old Trafford, but United haven't let Louis van Gaal go and are believed to still be making up their minds about the best course of action. With Jose in limbo, Everton have reportedly made advances for the Portuguese manager. If the Toffees fail in their attempts then they will turn their attention elsewhere, with Frank de Boer and David Moyes among the possible candidates.

Paper Round’s view: Mourinho to Everton. Let's just let those words sink in for a moment. So, no - that's not going to happen. Jose may have had a bit of a disastrous time at Chelsea this season, but he did win the title last year, he is a serial winner everywhere he goes, and he is a manager who hasn't been in charge of a club outside the very top bracket since 2004. Why one earth would he want to manage a mid-table Everton side? And it shouldn't be a one-sided rebuttal. The Toffees would be much better off going for a progressive manager with an interest in football who can develop a squad to take the club forward over the next ten years.

Joey Barton is thought to be weighing up a move to Rangers, according to The Sun. Barton was pictured at a trendy restaurant in Glasgow over the weekend and he also reportedly met Rangers officials after being offered a contract by the Scottish side. The midfielder achieved promotion with Burnley this season, but is out of contract in the summer and has yet to agree an extension.

Paper Round’s view: Barton is not getting any younger - he's 34 in September - and maybe this is his last chance for a big payday. But can Rangers afford to give him the contract he clearly wants? Burnley boss Sean Dyche explained the situation pretty clearly earlier this week when he said: "We've been open with our conversations with him, and his advisor, but he's still got his chance to look around and that's what players do nowadays. They're open-minded to what's out there." Burnley wants Barton and the player wants to be back in the Premier League, so it would be a big surprise if he did look to move. He played a major part in the Clarets' promotion and even made the Championship team of the year, so if he did head north of the border he would be expected to boss the league.

Everton already have a replacement in mind if they lose striker Romelu Lukaku in the summer - according to The Sun. West Brom forward Saido Berahino was on the Toffees' shortlist before the departure of Roberto Martinez, and the Merseyside club are hopeful of sealing the England striker's signature for around £12m.

Paper Round’s view: Berahino to Everton would be a good fit. He's a terrific player and seems to have overcome any attitude problems in the aftermath of last summer's bad-tempered transfer saga to really knuckle down under Tony Pulis. The problem with this story isn't the link between the player and the club. It's the price. A £12m fee for a young, proven, English goalscorer is pie in the sky. And if for some ridiculous reason he is available for such a cut price then more attractive destinations than Everton will be available to him. Lukaku probably will leave Everton this summer, but will he be replaced by Berahino? Possibly. And will that deal cost £12m? Not a chance.