Christopher Nkunku: Liverpool turned down chance to sign RB Leipzig striker last summer - Paper Talk
Plus: Chelsea are the latest club to take an interest in Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier; Everton pursue Danny Ings but have been rebuffed by Aston Villa; Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is one of the early contenders to become Everton manager, should Frank Lampard be sacked
Thursday 5 January 2023 08:04, UK
All the top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday's newspapers...
DAILY TELEGRAPH
David de Gea is hopeful of being able to see out his career at Manchester United as he closes in on a new contract.
DAILY MAIL
Cristiano Ronaldo has been banned from making his much-vaunted debut for his Saudi Arabian side tomorrow night.
Shakhtar Donetsk are expected to reject Arsenal's improved bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk as Chelsea threaten to scupper the Gunners' move for the Ukraine winger.
Liverpool turned down the chance to sign France striker Christopher Nkunku last summer, according to reports, paving the way for him to join Chelsea.
Chelsea are the latest club to take an interest in signing Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Everton have been left frustrated in their efforts to sign Aston Villa striker Danny Ings.
Business tycoon Sarbjot Johal is set to complete a takeover at Morecambe, delivering a knockout blow to Tyson Fury's interest in the League One side.
Benfica have rejected Chelsea's opening bid of £112m over three instalments for Enzo Fernandez and have demanded £106m up front.
French giants Paris St Germain are monitoring the situation of Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.
DAILY MIRROR
Chelsea remain hopeful of hijacking Arsenal's move for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk after holding talks over a potential transfer.
Arsenal have cooled their interest in Youri Tielemans and are not expected to make a move for the Leicester playmaker this month.
Manchester United have made an offer of £3.5m to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on a loan deal for the remainder of the season, according to reports.
DAILY EXPRESS
Declan Rice has taken offence to claims he has "given up" at West Ham after outlining his desire to win trophies and play Champions League football at the World Cup.
Cesc Fabregas has been pictured back at Arsenal as he works towards entering the world of coaching once he retires as a player.
Liverpool won't sign Matheus Nunes from Wolves this month as the midfielder wouldn't be able to play for the club until next season.
THE SUN
Chelsea have reportedly suffered a transfer blow with Marquinhos set to sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is still optimistic that Youri Tielemans will sign a new contract before the end of the season.
Kit Symons has been dumped as Wales assistant manager for the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has been appointed boss of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.
THE TIMES
Frank Lampard will take charge of Everton's FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United on Friday, but his long-term job prospects remain in the balance.
Liverpool fear Virgil van Dijk could be sidelined until next month with a hamstring injury leaving the defender in a race to prove his fitness for the Champions League tie with Real Madrid.
THE ATHLETIC
Abdoulaye Doucoure could leave Everton during the January transfer window. The Premier League strugglers are open to negotiating a permanent sale of the 30-year-old Mali international.
Southampton have approached Villarreal midfielder Nicolas Jackson over a possible move to the south coast club (The Athletic).
EVENING STANDARD
Arsenal have been told to increase their bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk after it emerged Chelsea are exploring a move for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger.
Chelsea are edging closer to a full agreement over the £112m signing of Enzo Fernandez following overnight talks with Benfica.
Cristiano Ronaldo will earn £514,000 a day on his new Al Nassr salary, which equates to £21,400 per day, £357 a minute and £6 per second.
DAILY RECORD
Midtjylland are interested in landing Giorgos Giakoumakis from Celtic - but first need to see if a January move is viable.
Hearts are said to be eyeing up an ambitious move for Newcastle starlet Garang Kuol just days after he officially joined the Premier League side.
SCOTTISH SUN
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is one of the early contenders to become the next Everton manager.
