Thursday's Paper Talk: Football transfer news, rumours and gossip including Countinho, Dembele and more

DAILY MIRROR

• Liverpool have refused point blank to pay Timo Werner's release clause - even if that means losing out on the world-class striker.

DAILY EXPRESS

• Newcastle have opened talks with Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho.
• Inter Milan are hatching a plan to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner from under Liverpool's noses, but will have to sell Lautaro Martinez first.
• Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly offered a contract to Bayern Munich youngster Taylor Booth.

THE TELEGRAPH

• The Premier League has compiled its own study which shows the average time players are in close contact during a match suggests the risk of catching coronavirus is extremely low.
• Chelsea have been told they could sign Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico for just £22.4m in the next transfer window.
• Frank Lampard will hold more talks with N'Golo Kante after Premier League clubs voted to move to phase two of restricted contact training.
• Manchester United are prepared to offer Angel Gomes a deal worth around £1.5m a year to stay at Old Trafford.
• Borussia Dortmund have been frustrated by a calf injury Jadon Sancho carried into the Bundesliga restart.
• Championship clubs are set to begin contact training next week to boost hopes of a season restart in mid to late June.
• Nathan Jones is on the brink of making his return to Luton Town as manager.

More from Sporting Life

• Man Utd's transfer targets
• Kane urged to move for trophies
• Five players Chelsea should sign
• Arsenal's David Luiz dilemma

THE SUN

• Chelsea have made a shock move for Brentford's tricky Algerian winger Said Benrahma.
• Real Madrid have reportedly offered four players, including James Rodriguez and Martin Odegaard, to Manchester United in an attempt to sign Paul Pogba.
• Manchester United have taken out a £140m loan to get through the coronavirus crisis.
• West Ham want to sign £40m Chelsea flop Tiemoue Bakayoko on a season-long loan, according to reports.
• Barcelona have reportedly put Arsenal target Ousmane Dembele on the transfer list.
• Arsenal are ready to launch an offer for Lille striker Victor Osimhen, according to reports.
• William Saliba is set to finally start training with his Arsenal team-mates next month - although his move to England could be delayed.
• Ex-Southampton manager George Burley has revealed that the club once knocked back a £3m Manchester United bid for Gareth Bale as they had just received £12m from Arsenal for Theo Walcott.
• Mario Balotelli is set to be released from his Brescia contract after a bust-up with club president Massimo Cellino, according to reports.

DAILY MAIL

• Real Madrid have reportedly offered four players, including James Rodriguez and Martin Odegaard, to Manchester United in an attempt to sign Paul Pogba.
• Chelsea are lining up a shock £15m move for Borussia Dortmund keeper Roman Burki.

DAILY STAR

• Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Barcelona star Rafinha with the Spanish champions planning a clear out in the summer transfer window.
• Everton have been touted to rival Newcastle for the signing of John Stones from Manchester City.

SCOTTISH SUN

• Rangers are keen on attacking duo Saido Berahino and Manuel Benson, according to reports in Belgium.
• Hearts winger Donis Avdijaj is in talks with Portuguese side Braga after a disastrous stint at Tynecastle.
• Drumchapel United are preparing a swoop for Partick midfielder Darian MacKinnon.

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