Paper Round: Harry Redknapp targeting Premier League return

Harry Redknapp ready to return - The Guardian reports that Harry Redknapp is raring to get back into management just four months after leaving QPR. The 68-year-old gave an interview to the paper in which he is described as "sprightly and chirpy, antipodal to the forlorn figure who departed Queens Park Rangers suddenly in February", and saying that he is ready to take a new job when the right opportunity comes along: "If there was an interesting project, then definitely. I don’t feel old, I’m as sharp as ever."

Paper Round's view - He might be 68, but the strength of his feelings suggests that Redknapp will be drawn back into management before too long. No doubt there's a part of him hoping that Bournemouth's first Premier League campaign gets off to a disastrous start, and that they will need to call in the cavalry. It's certainly a dream commute from his much-beloved home in Sandbanks.

Spurs to make Lloris and Kane captain and vice captain if they stay - Tottenham want to make Hugo Lloris the club's captain and Harry Kane vice captain in a bid to keep the duo from joining Manchester United, according to The Mirror. Lloris has said that he's considering a move and United are considering him as a replacement for David De Gea. Meanwhile Kane is the eye of many big clubs, but if the two are considered central figures at Spurs then they may want to stay.

Paper Round's view - If Manchester United, or any other big club really, decide that they desperately want Lloris or Kane, they can have them. There is a number at which Tottenham will sell both and it's a number that the Red Devils can afford, but they're probably not at the point where they want to spend that much. In the meantime, Spurs will show Lloris and Kane how important they are to the club to keep them happy. But will a modern professional footballer really be swayed by a nicety such as being made club captain?

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Liverpool to cash in on Raheem Sterling now Firminio is on his way in - Liverpool finalising their deal for Roberto Firmino means Raheem Sterling will leave, according to The Sun. The Reds are paying Hoffenheim £29m for the 23-year-old Brazilian, who will be paid £70,000-per-week - and with him in the team, the Reds will now sell Sterling to Man City in a deal expected to be completed for around £45m.

Paper Round's view - Firmino is a fine player who has proven himself in a good top flight league so he's a nice signing for Liverpool. That he's also relatively young is a nice boost for a team that has been built around young talent. That's especially true because they look set to sell Sterling. Firmino isn't quite Sterling, but the Reds will have £16m left over after selling Sterling so it's not too bad.

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Stoke want Moses in Begovic swap with Chelsea - Chelsea are going to make a formal bid for Asmir Begovic soon and The Telegraph understand that Stoke will ask for Victor Moses in any deal for the goalkeeper. The Blues need a backup for Thibaut Courtois because of the impending sale of Petr Cech and want Begovic to be that man. But Stoke have prioritized Moses this summer and see the Begovic deal as the perfect opportunity to land their man.

Paper Round's view - It will be tough for Chelsea to convince Begovic to join them. He would be a backup at Stamford Bridge and promising him enough playing time will be difficult unless they're going to give him gigantic wages. Stoke may want Moses and may very well get him, but doing so in a swap for Begovic is unlikely.

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Newcastle and Stoke want Konoplyanka - Yevhen Konoplyanka is in demand. The Mirror claim that both Newcastle and Stoke are chasing the out-of-contract Ukrainian winger. Konoplyanka was originally talking with Stoke, but he asked for £100,000-per-week, which slowed down negotiations. That also opened the door for Newcastle, although they too are not thrilled with his wage demands.

Paper Round's view - Konoplyanka is a fine player and being able to snag him on a free would be a coup for either Newcastle or Stoke. There are several other clubs in England that would be smart to get in on him too. But at £100,000-per week, Konoplyanka is significantly less appealing and he may have a hard time getting that from anyone in England.

West Brom make offer for Demba Ba - Demba Ba wants to return to England and The Birmingham Mirror claim that West Brom are ready to make him their highest-paid player to land him. A Chinese club have offered to buy Ba for £10m, but the striker told Besiktas that he isn't interested. He wants to play in England again and West Brom are hoping to take advantage.

Paper Round's view - Ba would make West Brom better and while £70,000-per-week is a lot of money, they can afford it. Convincing Besiktas to sell Ba to West Brom on the cheap will be tough to do, but it is possible. The question becomes whether the Chinese club ups their offer to both Besiktas and Ba, because that could tip things away from England.