Paper Round: Steven Gerrard to leave Liverpool in January

GERRARD TO INTER MILAN: The Mail on Sunday has an eye-catching story suggesting new Inter boss Roberto Mancini wants to bring Steven Gerrard to Serie A in January. Gerrard has not yet been offered a contract extension at Anfield, and Rob Shepherd's Football Grapevine column suggests the Liverpool captain could be on his way out this winter, with the New York Cosmos another option.

PAPER ROUND'S VIEW: Gerrard's influence might be waning, but it's almost impossible to imagine him leaving Liverpool halfway through the season. The midfielder still plays nearly every game, and given his long and distinguished service he surely merits a more dignified exit than being shipped off in mid-season. Call Paper Round cynical, but it would not be surprised to find this is one of those stories put about to pressure Liverpool into making a contract offer. We shall see.

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DORTMUND PUT MASSIVE PRICE TAG ON HUMMELS: Manchester United have been told they'll have to fork out a massive £47 million for Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender Mats Hummels, according to the Sun on Sunday. Hummels has been loyal to the Bundesliga side, but with Dortmund enduring a nightmare season and likely to miss out on Champions League qualification, the time could be right for him to leave.

PAPER ROUND'S VIEW: Normally a £47m price tag on a defender would be as clear a 'hands-off' warning as you could get - but this is free-spending Manchester United, so you just don't know. Hummels is great for club and country, but United should beware. The last Dortmund player they signed to a great fanfare was Shinji Kagawa.

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BUT PIQUE IS STAYING AT BARCELONA: However another Manchester United target, Gerard Pique, has played down talk of a return to Old Trafford. United have been linked with a move for the Spaniard, who represented them from 2004 to 2008 - amid rumours of a clash between the player and coach Luis Enrique. But Pique has committed his future to Barca, saying: "Barcelona is my life and I do not plan to leave. I will continue to fight for a place."

PAPER ROUND'S VIEW: Pique's star has waned a little in recent years, and has not featured since the Clasico on October 15, but he remains one of the continent's most capable centre-backs. This is in Luis Enrique's hands. Pique will stay if he retains his place in the team - but clearly he will not want to spend his peak years on the bench, so if his first-team exile continues a move could be on the cards, either in January or at the end of the season.

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UNITED WON'T SIGN VICTOR VALDES: Manchester United will not sign offer Victor Valdes a contract despite David De Gea's finger injury, which could rule him out for four weeks. The Sunday Telegraph reports that United still have fitness concerns over Valdes, who has been training with them as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury. Instead, De Gea's deputy Anders Lindegaard is set to feature against Arsenal next weekend, and beyond.

PAPER ROUND'S VIEW: Poor old Valdes has been without a club since leaving Barcelona at the end of the season, and has not played for nearly a year due to that cruciate knee ligament injury. He failed a medical at Monaco in the summer, and clearly doubts persist at United - as this would be the perfect opportunity to offer him a short-term deal. A fit Valdes is far better than Lindegaard, and United fans may wonder why he is training with the club if he does not get his chance now.