Paper Round: Juventus' Premier League raid could include Oscar, Graziano Pelle

Oscar and Graziano Pelle are targets for Juventus, while Aston Villa want Charlie Austin. That and more from the Tuesday papers.

 

Juventus want Oscar, Pelle

Juventus are dreaming of a Premier League raid. The Mail claim that the Italian giants are hoping to sign Oscar from Chelsea and Graziano Pelle from Southampton. The problem is they aren't sure they will be able to afford the two players. Juve are in London meeting with Chelsea to make Juan Cuadrado's loan deal permanent and want to discuss Oscar, but they will want a hefty fee. Pelle's Southampton contract expires in 2017, but the Saints still won't sell cheap and he'll be looking for big wages because this will probably be the 31-year-old's last huge deal.

Paper Round's view - Juventus have a fair bit of money, being a major Italian club and owning their stadium, but Serie A doesn't generate nearly the revenue of the Premier League so they're still not high rollers. A club like Southampton, and certainly Chelsea, won't be overwhelmed by The Old Lady's finances and end up selling as a result. Juve need to make some changes so their squad so they'll be in on a lot of players from a lot of leagues, but it will be tough for them to sign players that clubs desperately want to keep.

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Villa want Austin

Aston Villa are hoping to sign Charlie Austin in January, but only if he can prove his hamstring isn't a problem, per The Sun. The Villians want to add a goal scorer in January and Austin could be available for cheap because his contract expires after the season. But even if he only costs £7 million, Remi Garde wants no part of him if he's not entirely fit from the hamstring tear he suffered in September.

Charlie Austin - PA Sport

Paper Round's view - Austin would be a great addition to a Villa team that is really lacking up top after selling Christian Benteke, but Garde is right to demand he be fit if they make a move. They're fighting relegation and can't afford for their impact signing to be working his way back from injury in January and February, then hope he finds his form for the season's last three months. Even if he is fit, the deal may not get done, thought. QPR were unwilling to sell him in the summer despite his contract situation so there's no telling what their price will be in January.

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England call could earn Lingard £50,000 bonus

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard has been called up for England's friendly against France on Tuesday night - PA Sport

Jesse Lingard's England call-up may make him a richer man. The Star report that the 22-year-old's Manchester United contract includes a £50,000 bonus for his first international appearance, which he might get on Tuesday when he's in the team for England's friendly against Spain. Lingard was called up to replace Red Devils team-mate Michael Carrick, who had to withdraw from the team with an ankle injury. If Lingard gets in the match, Man United will have to pay him the one-time bonus for his international debut.

Paper Round's view - Making your international debut is a dream for any footballer and Lingard will undoubtedly be delighted if he plays against Spain for that reason. Pulling on the Three Lions shirt will be a thrill. But just because he wants to be an international so he can represent his country doesn't mean he won't be happy to collect that £50,000. It will be icing on the cake and, even if he doesn't play against Spain, it's tough to imagine him not playing for England ever so that bonus should be paid out at some point.

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Man United could move for Ritchie

Matt Ritchie of Bournemouth (PA) - PA Photos

Matt Ritchie could make a major step up in January. The Mail understand that Manchester United could make a move for the Bournemouth man after watching him several times this season. The Red Devils have been scouting Ritchie and think that he could give the Man United attack some much-needed pace. Ritchie isn't van Gaal's top choice to sign, but they are watching him and could end up signing him depending on how the window shakes out.

Paper Round's view - Ritchie isn't the type of player that Man United would make a priority. He's not a great player or young with room to grow. He's merely one who would give them depth so if the Red Devils can't sign some of their top targets then he's not a bad backup plan. He'll check off a few boxes and strengthen the squad. But if they can aim a bit higher and land a player who is of higher quality, who isn't key to a team's survival hopes like Bournemouth, then that'd be preferable.

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Man United, Arsenal eyeing Juventus defender

Manchester United and Arsenal are considering a January move for Juventus' Daniele Rugani, according to The Independent. Rugani is not part of Juventus' first team plans at the moment and has barely played this season. The Old Lady still claim he is part of the team's future, but he is one of Italy's top rated young defender and wants to play now. That has several clubs, including two of England's biggest, eyeing a transfer.

Jérémy Menez au duel avec Daniele Rugani lors de AC Milan-Empoli (saison 2014-2015) - AFP

Paper Round's view - Rugani isn't just some prospect. He's a big, strong, technical 21-year-old centre back who has more than 75 professional appearances for Empoli. First, he helped them earn promotion from Serie B, then he played a season for them in Serie A. He's proven his mettle at a high level and has been a linchpin in Italy's defences at multiple youth levels. If someone can snatch him from Juve, it will be a coup, but it won't be easy because even if he's not playing much now, the Italian giants have to know the special talent they have on their hands.

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