Regional Paper Talk: AC Milan want to sign Liverpool's Lucas Leiva

All the latest transfer gossip from Friday's regional papers.

LONDON EVENING STANDARD

Ronald Koeman has backed Oriol Romeu to revive his career after joining Southampton from Chelsea.

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva is a target for AC Milan. The Liverpool midfielder is out of favour under Brendan Rodgers and has appeared on the radar of the Serie A club, who are desperate to strengthen in central midfield.

Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle has been warned that he has until the end of the week to decide whether he wants to join Bristol City by Steve Cotterill.

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

Manchester United’s new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger has brushed off concerns over his fitness - and has targeted the Premier League title with the Reds.

Edin Dzeko has admitted that it was the tough competition for places at Manchester City, as well as a couple of injuries, which resulted in him leaving the club for Roma on a season-long loan.

Louis van Gaal’s relationship with David de Gea is in danger of turning toxic after the Manchester United manager claimed his goalkeeper did not want to play against Tottenham last week.

LIVERPOOL ECHO

Andy Carroll is eyeing a return to action against Liverpool when the Reds take on the Hammers on August 29. Carroll, who scored six Premier League goals for the Reds, is hoping to return at his former stomping ground.

Leighton Baines has undergone surgery to cure his long-term ankle injury and is expected to be out until at least November.

NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE

Newcastle United's Dutch international Siem de Jong is ready to challenge for a place in the first team again after a nightmare first season on Tyneside.

Liverpool’s Fabio Borini is reported to be a loan target for Sunderland as the Black Cats search for a transfer breakthrough.

Newcastle winger Gabriel Obertan has indicated that he might yet have a long-term future at St James’ Park.

SUNDERLAND ECHO

Danny Graham could still leave Sunderland before the end of the transfer window, with the Black Cats wary of letting the striker leave for nothing next summer.

Adnan Januzaj is thought to be keeping an open mind over joining Sunderland, as the Black Cats eye a double loan deal for the Manchester United man and Fabio Borini.

BIRMINGHAM MAIL

Tim Sherwood believes new winger Adama Traore could be 'magnificent' for Villa - but says he must be given time to develop.

Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett insists ‘it’s business as usual’ at Blues and has warned he would not welcome any interference from bailed major shareholder Carson Yeung.

EXPRESS & STAR

Benik Afobe is not for sale, Kenny Jackett has reaffirmed, as the Wolves boss looks to build a team around his star player.

Albion new-boy Rickie Lambert says the Baggies have the firepower to climb the Premier League table after smashing their transfer record for Salomon Rondon.

STOKE SENTINEL

Xherdan Shaqiri believes he's tailor-made for the English football after joining Stoke for £12m.

DAILY ECHO

Ronald Koeman has insisted Saints will not be selling Jose Fonte, and instead will look to sign another centre-back before the close of the transfer window.

LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH

Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is excited by new signings Fode Koita and Modou Barrow - but he is still looking add further firepower to his squad.

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST

Former Swansea City player John Hughes says his old club have made a move for Inverness Caledonian Thistle star Ryan Christie.

GET WEST LONDON

QPR manager Chris Ramsey is confident Charlie Austin will return to play Cardiff this weekend and has confirmed new contract talks with the striker valued at £15m.

THE PINK UN

Norwich City boss Alex Neil has confirmed Roma striker Mattia Destro is on his transfer radar.

EVENING GAZETTE

Tony Mowbray would love to re-sign ‘exceptional’ Middlesbrough winger Mustapha Carayol, but conceded Coventry do not have the financial clout to pull off the deal.

THE BOLTON NEWS

Bolton manager Neil Lennon insists his side can cope with the exit of defender Tim Ream to QPR.

EVENING TIMES

Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan will have a medical later today ahead of a move to Celtic.

WATFORD OBSERVER

Watford’s Diego Fabbrini seems to have quickly impressed on loan at Middlesbrough. So much so that Boro winger Albert Adomah has nicknamed the Italian ‘Diego Maradona’.