Paper Round: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho wants Alvaro Morata plus £45m for David De Gea

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly told Real Madrid that they can have goalkeeper David De Gea, if they receive £45m and Alvaro Morata in return. The Daily Star claims Mourinho views De Gea at £100m, but he would prefer to make Morata part of the deal, having already shown an interest in the striker this summer. However, Real are said to value Morata at £60m, meaning the two sides could still be negotiating a deal come late August.

Paper Round’s view: A good bit of business for both, surely? But no doubt United would be the real winners if they can sell De Gea and get Morata plus £45m in return. Real’s Keylor Navas has proved to be more than capable between the sticks, and it’s difficult to see the kings of Europe splashing out such an amount on a goalkeeper.

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Goalkeepers appear to be the theme of today’s Paper Round, with Chelsea shotstopper Thibaut Courtois reportedly stalling on a new deal amid interest from Real Madrid. The Daily Mail reports that Courtois has rejected an initial contract offer from Chelsea, though Real are also said to be keen on AC Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who will not be renewing his contract at the Italian outfit beyond 2018.

Paper Round’s view: Courtois, Donnarumma or De Gea? Take your pick, Real – or so it would seem. All attractive prospects, and the news on Thursday that Donnarumma would not renew his Milan deal will spark interest among all of Europe’s elite clubs. Once again, Real have Navas – he would be right to feel aggrieved at the constant rumours linking other goalkeepers to the club.

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Antonio Conte will not back down over his willingness to offload striker Diego Costa, despite the Chelsea board’s desire to keep the 28-year-old – the Sun reports. Conte messaged Costa to tell him he was not going to feature in his plans next season, and the Chelsea boss does not want to change his mind, with the club chasing Romelu Lukaku as a replacement.

Paper Round’s view: No matter your feelings towards Costa, it’s difficult to argue that he has been harshly treated, especially as he fired in 20 Premier League goals for the club last season. However, Conte and Costa have had run-ins in the past, and perhaps the striker is too controversial a character for the Italian. Costa will likely get his Atletico Madrid move – and a loan move elsewhere until January given their transfer ban – and Chelsea appear to be odds-on to get Lukaku. Everyone’s a winner.

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Ryan Giggs has reportedly set his sights on the Southampton job after the south-coast club sacked Claude Puel on Wednesday. The Daily Mail claims Giggs wants to take his first steps into management with the Saints, though Frank de Boer and Mauricio Pellegrino are also on shortlist.

Paper Round’s view: Giggs continues to be linked with Premier League jobs, but is he aiming too high? That is, of course, if the rumours are true. The Welshman was said to be interested in the Swansea role, and now it’s Southampton, but it’s difficult to see the club taking a gamble on Giggs, given that he took charge of just four league games at Manchester United when in temporary control at Old Trafford.