Paper Round: Guardiola 'tells pals' he wants to manage Premier League team in London

Pep Guardiola 'keen to manage Premier League team in London': The Daily Mail reports that Bayern Munich coach - and former Barcelona manager - Pep Guardiola fancies a move to England if he doesn't carry on at Bayern Munich. "Guardiola's contract at Bayern Munich runs out at the end of the season," the Daily Mail tells us. "And Sportsmail understands the current Bayern Munich boss' preference is to manage in London… the former Barcelona chief has told pals he wants a move to England if he leaves Bayern next summer."

Paper Round's view: While the Messi rumours elsewhere on this page are far-fetched, we really can see this one happening. The money on offer in the Premier League is matched only by that available in La Liga, and it's hard to see Guardiola going back to Barcelona. (And impossible to imagine him going elsewhere in Spain.) Manchester City's long-touted move for Guardiola could come to fruition next summer. The big question will be where that would leave Manuel Pellegrini, should City win the title; though at the age of 62 the Chilean might just opt to retire at the top should that happen. As for the whole London thing? Assuming that Jose Mourinho gets his season back on course at Chelsea, this story means only one thing: a great scrap between Arsenal and Tottenham for the services of the most sought-after manager in the game.

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Southampton want £40 million from United for Sadio Mane: The Daily Telegraph reports that Manchester United, "would have to double their summer offer for Sadio Mane to have any chance of buying him next year… Southampton officials made it clear in August that Mane would not be sold this year after an enquiry from Manchester United, who had indicated a willingness to pay around £20 million for the 23-year-old Senegal international." The paper suggests that it could happen despite that seemingly prohibitive price tag: " The lack of available strikers globally as well as the start next year of the new Premier League television deal may only push prices up further."

Paper Round's view: He's good. But £40m good? No chance. Should this story be true, you can expect United to walk away from this one.

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Lionel Messi 'refuses to rule out Premier League move': Following Friday's reports that Barcelona star - nay, icon - Lionel Messi fancies a move to the Premier League, Saturday's Sun pours more petrol on what could be the mother of all transfer rumours. "Lionel refuses to rule out Prem switch" cries the headline, with the story telling us that, "Messi has pointedly refused to rule out a move from Barcelona to the Prem… Asked [on Friday] if he could see himself playing in another league, Messi, 28, opted to leave the door wide open. He said: 'I don’t want to look too far ahead. I live for the moment and at this moment I am with Barcelona in La Liga where I’ve made my living and I live very well.'"

Paper Round's view: Well, well, Messi 'showing a bit of leg' as the tabloids would have it. This move still seems far-fetched to us; why would Messi leave the treble champions for Chelsea, Manchester United or Manchester City, none of whom look like world-beaters right now?

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Two Premier League stars to come out as gay: The Daily Mirror's entire front page is given up to this story, saying that an England star and another Premier League player are set to come out. "They would be the first footballers to come out publicly while playing in the top flight of the English game," the Mirror tells us. "Gay footballers have stayed silent about their sexuality for fear of the backlash including taunts from opposing fans. But with attitudes finally changing two Premier League stars believe the time is right to come out… The two players – including an England international – have told family and friends, and are being supported by their clubs and the Football Association… The stars are thought to be planning to go public before the start of next season."

Paper Round's view: This would be a huge step for the sport, and a major blow in the fight against discrimination.