Paper Round: Real Madrid outwit Manchester United to win De Gea-Ramos saga

Real may have outwitted United on Ramos, De Gea - Manchester United are facing missing out on Sergio Ramos, as well as losing David De Gea on a free transfer next summer, according to The Star. United wanted to buy Ramos from Real Madrid on the cheap, then agree to sell De Gea for a cut-rate price. Instead, Real have agreed to sign De Gea on a free transfer next summer with a £3.5 million tax-free signing on fee and hold out for £45m on Ramos.

Paper Round's view - United's plan was risky at best and inane at worst. Real were never likely to agree to a pair of big transfers on the cheap, even if one benefited them. That's especially true when the player they wanted only had one year left on his contract. Now United are facing losing out on both players. They may have to spend huge and land Ramos at Real's price at this point because their leverage is diminishing quickly.

United to beat Liverpool for Benteke - United will fill the striker-shaped hole in their squad - and hurt Liverpool in the process. The Sun understand they are set to pay Christian Benteke's £32.5m release clause and buy the striker from Aston Villa, with the Red Devils targeting a completed deal by the weekend.

Paper Round's view - Benteke wants to play in the Champions League and United will offer him that, not to mention a monster pay packet. Liverpool made Benteke a priority, but weren't initially willing to pay his release clause, which opened the door for United. Now the Reds may get burned, with United inching closer to replacing Robin van Persie.

Spurs set to take big loss on Soldado - Tottenham are discussing a transfer for Roberto Soldado that would see them take a big loss on the striker. The Mirror believe that Spurs are talking to Sevilla about a £11m deal, just two years after Tottenham bought him for £26m. Sevilla are willing to match Soldado's after-tax wages.

Paper Round's view - Soldado has been an abject failure at Spurs and the club went into the summer knowing they would take a big loss. He's scored just four goals from open play in the last two Premier League seasons and is now the wrong side of 30. In fact, £11m would be a decent bit of business at this point.

Man United want Romero - Louis van Gaal made it abundantly clear that Victor Valdes will not be back at United, which means they need a new back-up goalkeeper. The Mail claim that man may be Sergio Romero, but add United will need to beat Real Madrid and Roma for his services. Romero is a free agent and United have offered bigger wages than Roma, but the Serie A side can hand him the number one jersey. Meanwhile, Real are only just entering the race.

Paper Round's view - Money isn't much of an object for United these days. They can pay Romero enough to make him happy at Old Trafford, but how badly does he want to be a starter? Roma can offer him that and Real may be able to do the same. That leaves United needing to make up some ground if they are to nab a man who would make an excellent back-up.

Sunderland eye Kaboul - Sunderland are hoping to sign Younes Kaboul from Spurs, according to The Sun. Kaboul is not in the plans at White Hart Lane and the Black Cats are preparing a £3m bid for the central defender as Dick Advocaat continues to remake his squad in hopes of avoiding another relegation fight.

Paper Round's view - Kaboul was out of favour at Spurs last season and would only be further down the pecking order this season. Basically, he needs to get out. Sunderland would be a decent landing spot as they do need help at the back and Advocaat values experience. He'll need to ensure his fitness is excellent because that's been a problem the last few years, but if he is then the Black Cats could be getting a good player.