Football rumours from the media

What the papers say

Manchester United are in the hunt for Norwich defender Max Aarons, according to the Sun. The 20-year-old was linked to Barcelona last summer and United in 2019, but has stayed put with the Championship Canaries. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly keen for more strength in the right-back position and is said to have fixed his sights on Aarons. He may have to wait until next summer, however, with Norwich said to have no great need for the cash at present after selling Ben Godfrey and Jamal Lewis.

Wolves have joined the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The paper said Inter Milan and Barcelona have been keen on the 30-year-old, but reports Wolves have now stepped into the picture. Wijnaldum’s contract is winding down with Liverpool after five seasons, and he is free to negotiate with other clubs in January. He is said to be still considering the Reds’ offer of a new deal.

Arsenal and Everton have been linked with Spain midfielder Isco this week, but the 28-year-old says he has a soft sport for Chelsea, according to the Daily Mirror. Isco has been out of favour at Real Madrid, and may be on his way out of the club, although reports suggest manager Zinedine Zidane might not be ready to let him go. However, the Mirror has found an interview with Isco from last year in which he nominated Stamford Bridge as a stadium in which he would like to play.

Lionel Messi may reject rumoured interest from Manchester City to stay in Barcelona until 2023 before a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami, Spain’s Cadena website reports. City, linked to Messi’s ultimately unfulfilled wish to leave Barca last summer, are said to be interested in the idea of Messi spending three years in Manchester before two more years at partner club New York City in the MLS. But Cadena reports Messi has bought an apartment in Miami and wants his children to go to school in the US.

Brighton have told their Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan he is free to leave the club in January if the right offer comes along, Brighton’s Argus reports, citing Australian TV football show The World Game. The 28-year-old’s place with the Seagulls has come under question after being left out of the matchday squad for the last four games. Ryan reportedly said manager Graham Potter had told him if he receives a good offer this month, he should take it.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Timothy Fosu-Mensah: The 22-year-old Holland defender has rejected a new offer to stay at Manchester United and has been linked to Marseille and Hertha Berlin, according to reports in the Mirror and on Sky Sports.

Jack Clarke: Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry are in line to pick up Tottenham’s England under-20s winger on loan next month, Football Insider reports.