Paper Round: Jose Mourinho 'set to become Manchester United manager'

The Daily Mail - and various other newspapers - report that Jose Mourinho is a firm favourite to succeed Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager during the close season. They are claiming that the sacked Chelsea manager is on the verge of resuming a "toxic" rivalry with Pep Guardiola, who will take over Manchester City after departing Bayern Munich at the end of the season. Mourinho and Guardiola were involved in several confrontations during their respective periods in charge of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Talks have apprently taken place between United directors and Mourinho, who has never hidden his desire to manage the three-times Champions League winners.

Paper Round's view: For every action, there is a reaction. And the reaction of United to Guardiola landing the City job is pretty explosive. By toying with the idea of opting for Mourinho to lead the club into battle against Guardiola in Manchester, the United board are sending out a message that they require a high-profile figure in direct comparison to Pep. They don't come much more box office than Mourinho, but his conduct and behaviour in the final few months of his doomed second spell at Chelsea remains a concern for a brand as big as United. Contrary to some stories, Mourinho does not yet have the job. If United recover in the last few months of the season, Louis van Gaal is not yet a goner. There is also a fair chance United will be sounding out several candidates, including Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, before making a final decision.

Chelsea could land Antonio Conte as their new manager when his contract expires after Euro 2016, according to the Daily Express and Daily Star. Owner Roman Abramovich has apparently spoken to the former Juventus coach about succeeding caretaker Guus Hiddink at the end of the season. Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri, Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone, Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini and Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli are the other names linked with the post.

Paper Round's view: There are going to be no shortage of figures willing to manage Chelsea, and the Premier League is likely to attract a raft of high-calibre candidates such is the money on offer when the £5bn plus from the new television contract kicks in from next season. Conte would be viewed as a viable candidate for Chelsea, and he may well be keen to return to club management after a couple of years running the Azzurri.

The Mirror claim via former Brazil superstar Ronaldinho that City are set to offer a huge amount of money to Barcelona to bring the forward to the Etihad Stadium. He has a buy-out clause of £145m, but that apparently won't dissuade City's Abu Dhabi owners as they seek to build a team to help Guardiola challenge the very best in Europe. "Neymar has already stated his desire to play for Pep," said Ronaldinho. "That was a big statement with most people knowing that Pep would be joining Manchester City in the summer. We know they can pay wages that no other club in Europe has the power to do."

Paper Round's view: This one looks a bit thin coming after Neymar recently said he'd like to work with Guardiola at some point. What cannont be disputed is City's ability to match Barca's huge asking price. Whether or not Neymar would be keen to leave Barca is another matter. If the opportunity arises.

John Terry has told Chelsea he is unhappy about being messed around by the club over a new contract, says The Sun. The Stamford Bridge captain has apparently been told he must wait until a new manager is appointed to learn his fate. But Terry has had to swallow Branislav Ivanovic being offered a new contract, and the signing of US defender Matt Miazga from New York Red Bulls while the club wait to appoint a permanent successor to interim coach Guus Hiddink.

Paper Round's view: Terry has already stated his intention to depart the club because they have not offered him a contract extension. The longer it goes without any contract being signed, it would seem likely that his time at the club is over. Terry has really forced Chelsea's hand with his recent revelations. To be fair, he has a point, but it does not sound like Chelsea or Roman Abramovich are in a hurry to change the club's policy towards their captain.