Paper Round: Manchester United consider Thiago and Robert Lewandowski double swoop

Manchester United are considering a double swoop before the end of the transfer window, per the Independent. Robert Lewandowski and Thiago are both for sale at the right price from Bayern Munich. United have the cash to reinforce both positions before the start of the season. They are also interested in both Alex Sandro of Juventus and Toby Alderweireld of Spurs, with a chance both transfers could go through with more negotiation over price.

Paper Round’s view: It is puzzling why Jose Mourinho wants Lewandowski. As excellent as he can be, United have Romelu Lukaku and only use two strikers in attack intermittently. Thiago would be a huge upgrade on some of their existing midfielders, though. Most pressing are the Sandro and Alderweireld transfers, given the state of their defence.

Roma goalkeeper Alisson is on the verge of completing his £66m move to Liverpool. The Premier League club have had their bid accepted and are now preparing for the 25-year-old Brazilian to complete a medical before finalising the deal. The club have stolen a march on Chelsea, who are expected to be in the market for a replacement for Thibaut Courtois.

Paper Round’s view: Chelsea look set to miss out on what would be an excellent replacement for Courtois, and rumoured replacements Petr Cech and Kasper Schmeichel would be a step down. For Liverpool, it could be a transformative move as they have now strengthened every part of their squad, addressing all the key weaknesses. They might well be Manchester City’s closest rival.

After the transfers of Jean-Michael Seri and Maxime Le Marchand from Nice in a £30m coup, Fulham are set to make another transfer as they prepare for life in the Premier League. They are set to complete the permanent signing of Aleksandar Mitrovic from Newcastle United, who spent part of last season on loan with Fulham. The 23-year-old Serbian international is on a post-World Cup break, and should complete a £20m move upon his return.

Paper Round’s view: Seri was a player wanted by some of the top sides in the Premier League, given his affordable transfer release clause and his relatively young age, and should give them steel in the midfield. Mitrovic is another combative player, who is exceptionally effective in causing aggro around the box, and isn’t a bad finisher either. Fulham may be playing catch-up on the rest of the league, but they will not be bullied.

Sean Dyche looks set to continue his purchases of young British talent for Burnley. The two players he has in his sights at the moment are Swansea City players, Sam Clucas and defender Alfie Mawson. The move comes after Dyche was frustrated in his pursuit of West Bromwich Albion due Craig Dawson and Jay Rodriguez, for whom he had a £25m joint bid rejected.

Paper Round’s view: Dyche continues to stick to the template that has served him well over the past few seasons. Given his ability to develop young players, both Mawson and Clucas would probably do well under his management, and fill out the Burnley squad. It would be no surprise to see both Rodriguez and Dawson also arrive, given Dyche has to prepare for additional Europa League games.