Wednesday's Paper Talk: Football transfer news, rumours and gossip including Mario Balotelli and Lionel Messi

THE SUN

• Manchester City are plotting another move for Lionel Messi when the transfer window opens in January after their failed summer swoop.
• Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will accept a loan transfer and a huge pay cut to end his Chelsea hell.
• Mario Balotelli has been in talks with Barnsley about making a sensational move to the South Yorkshire side.
• Ex-Arsenal youth Nico Yennaris changes name to Li Ke as he becomes first naturalised player to earn China cap.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

• Downing Street is considering a surprise plot from ministers to allow supporters back at Premier League and other elite sports grounds by Christmas.
• New research into the impact of heading on brain function has found that just 20 'normal' headers with a modern synthetic ball was enough to make most players fail a pitchside concussion test.

DAILY EXPRESS

• Manchester City are waiting for manager Pep Guardiola to decide his future with Mauricio Pochettino being eyed as a possible replacement.
• Aston Villa are preparing for a £100m raid from Manchester City when the transfer window re-opens. City reportedly have their sights set on Jack Grealish and Douglas Luiz.

DAILY MAIL

• England boss Gareth Southgate insists he won't budge in club versus country row over injuries.
• Gareth Bale says he has regained his passion for football again after returning to a club where he is 'loved' in Tottenham.
• Georginio Wijnaldum is considering his Liverpool future despite being offered a new bumper deal by the Reds.
• Arsenal's Willian will have to record a negative coronavirus test to be able to return to training at the club this week, according to a report.
• Chelsea midfielder Jorginho could leave Stamford Bridge to reunite with Maurizio Sarri again, according to his agent.
• David Coote is back on VAR duties for Liverpool this weekend, just a month after failing to send off Jordan Pickford for his shocking lunge on Virgil van Dijk in last month's Merseyside derby.
• Barcelona's wage cap has been reduced from £601m to £342m in the wake of the financial pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

DAILY MIRROR

• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to give the green light for Man United to sell out-of-favour trio Phil Jones, Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo in January.
• Mo Salah looks certain to miss Sunday's table-topping clash with Leicester, even if he gets a Covid all clear.
• Napoli will not lower their current asking price of €70m for Liverpool transfer target Kalidou Koulibly in the January window.
• Kieran Trippier insists he will "always give his all" for England despite the potential FA ban hanging over him.
• Schalke centre-back Malick Thiaw says he is flattered to be linked to Liverpool.
• Jorginho's agent has confirmed the Chelsea star is keeping a close eye on Maurizio Sarri's movements and could join him at his next club.

DAILY RECORD

• Celtic have confirmed Mohamed Elyounoussi and Kristoffer Ajer are in the clear following Norway's Covid crisis.
• Celtic-linked defender Omar Colley is reportedly heading for an "inevitable" Sampdoria exit.

Follow Sporting Life on social - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football content

• Awful Arsenal and super Spurs?
• A top-four season for Leicester?
• Gunners need creative spark
• Is this finally Tottenham's year?
• Euro 2020 Finals draw & TV guide
• Outsider Saints for Southgate's squad
• Latest football previews and tips
• Sporting Life App: Android & iOS