Paper Round: Real Madrid consider £85m Gareth Bale transfer to Manchester United

Real Madrid have grown frustrated with Gareth Bale's injury struggles after he was again ruled out of action. Over the last couple of seasons he has failed to entirely convince Zinedine Zidane that he should always be first choice, meaning that there is a chance that the Spanish club could countenance his sale, according to the Mirror. Manchester United are interested, but Spurs and Chelsea could also be tempted to make an offer for the 28-year-old Welshman.

Paper Round's view: Given Bale has put his body through the extreme stresses of professional football, and done so with an emphasis on power and speed as much as technique, 28 is a relatively old age in football terms. Real want £85m for the player, which these days could probably be used more effectively on a player with fresher legs, or perhaps to bring in more than just one player.

Manchester City have entered the race for Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, report the Star. The 23-year-old German international was subject of a cut-price offer from Juventus in the summer, and they have retained an interest in signing him on a free transfer next summer. However, Pep Guardiola could make a move for him as he takes an interest in further reshaping his squad. Can would be tempted by the chance of linking up with Guardiola, as well as his friend Leroy Sane.

Paper Round's view: Can has the potential to become an effective and sophisticated midfielder, especially if he leaves the one-note Jurgen Klopp behind. Guardiola and Juventus both offer the chance to play regularly at the high end of European football, something Liverpool are unlikely to be able to offer unless something fundamentally changes.

Paris Saint-Germain have told Unai Emery that his job will be under threat if he is not able to take the French side to at least the semi-final of the Champions League, per the Sunday Express. Emery has also reportedly fallen out with new striker Neymar, meaning there may be little he can do to save his job. PSG have made it be known that they would offer Jose Mourinho a job, but former PSG player and current Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is a close second for now.

Paper Round's view: Mourinho is likely using PSG as leverage as he negotiates a new deal with Manchester United, but of course it would be foolish to turn down the chance to sign him should he become available. For Pochettino, at some point he will hit the ceiling of Spurs' budget and start to look elsewhere. Old Trafford might be one option, but a move back to Paris could prove attractive.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is considering replacing Alexis Sanchez with Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, per The Sun. The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international has recently returned from injury for Palace as they face another relegation battle. Sanchez is expected to leave for Manchester City in the winter transfer window, or potentially on a free transfer at the end of the season. A fee of £35m for Zaha has been mentioned.

Paper Round's view: Should Sanchez depart in January, Zaha offers Premier League experience that should make for an easy transition, and he would only be relocating from south London to the north, so it will hardly be a culture shock. Zaha has improved his consistency over the last two seasons, but the question would be whether he is able to step up to the demands of a side attempting to get back into the Champions League, rather than one where he is regarded as by far the best player.