What the papers say

Lionel Messi
is considering his Barcelona future after becoming frustrated with the club’s transfer activity this summer, The Sun claims. The 30-year-old Argentina forward, who has been linked with Manchester City, has yet to sign his new contract at the Nou Camp and is reportedly far from impressed after witnessing Barca miss out on a host of proposed signings as well as seeing his strike partner Neymar leave, according to the paper.

Cristiano Ronaldo is held in high regard at Old Trafford
Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA)

Manchester United’s bid to tempt Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford this summer was thwarted as Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe was not prepared to move to the Bernabeu as a replacement for the Portugal forward, the Sunday Times reported. The paper also said Real offered Gareth Bale to United as they sought to fund a swoop for teenager Mbappe, but the Welshman was not interested.

Riyad Mahrez will attempt to earn a move from Leicester during the January transfer window after failing to secure an exit over the summer, says the Daily Mail. The Foxes wanted £50million for the Algeria international but none of the numerous clubs linked with him – among them Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham – were willing to meet that asking price.

Bacary Sagna was released by Manchester City
Bacary Sagna is a free agent (Paul Harding/Empics)

Meanwhile, Leicester could try and bolster their ranks with a move for Bacary Sagna, says ESPN. Sagna is a free agent after leaving Manchester City this summer but the 34-year-old France international is not believed to be short of suitors, with Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Torino said to be keeping tabs on the defender.

The future of Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has also been the source of much speculation but the Spaniard, who has been frustrated by the Magpies’ summer recruitment drive, would need to pay £5million compensation if he wants to leave St James’ Park, according to the Daily Mail.

Social/Online Round-Up

@DailyStar_Sport: #CFC had their eye on the Torino hitman too #MUFC http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/642239/Andrea-Belotti-Manchester-United-Torino-Chelsea-Mark-Ogden-Transfer-Latest-MUFC-News

@TheSunFootball: £54m Arturo Vidal set for surprise Bayern exit thesun.uk/60168LrGM

@TheSunFootball: Vincent Kompany wants to run down last two years of his Man City contract thesun.uk/60158Lr1S

Players to watch

Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a move to Old Trafford
Antoine Griezmann is a reported target for Manchester United (Daniel Hambury/PA)

Antoine Griezmann: Manchester United target Griezmann stayed with Atletico Madrid this summer due to the Spanish club’s transfer ban but, according to reports, the France forward could still move to Old Trafford during the January transfer window for £91million.Diego Costa: Daily Star reports that Costa is set to return to Chelsea to hold possible peace talks with the Premier League champions in a bid to resurrect his career. The Spain striker, whose hopes of returning to Atletico did not come to fruition, has been on an extended and unauthorised summer break in his native Brazil.Thomas Lemar: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed the Gunners will be back in for the France international after failing in a reported club-record bid on transfer-deadline day, but it remains to be seen whether they will face competition from Liverpool, with reports suggesting the Reds could be priced out of a move.