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Friday's papers: N'Golo Kante, Chris Smalling, Marcelo Brozovic

Friday's papers: N'Golo Kante, Chris Smalling, Marcelo Brozovic
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Is a Roma holiday about to become something more permanent for Chris Smalling?

What the papers say

Chris Smalling's absence from Manchester United training has increased talk that he is preparing to leave Old Trafford after a decade. The former England defender, 30, had a successful spell on loan at Roma last season and the Serie A side are now negotiating to bring him across permanently, reports the Telegraph.

Inter Milan have made an offer for World Cup-winning midfielder N'Golo Kante but Chelsea have rejected it. The Guardian says the Blues rebuffed the Italians' proposal, which included Croatia international Marcelo Brozovic in exchange, because they are not in a rush to sell the 29-year-old France player.

On This Day in 2013: Chelsea win Europa League in dramatic finale
Branislav Ivanovic's Premier League experience could see him brought back to the league (Nick Potts/PA)

A former Chelsea defender could be returning to the Premier League from Russia, reports the Telegraph. West Brom are in talks to sign Branislav Ivanovic after the Serbia international left Zenit St Petersburg. The 36-year-old, who won three league titles and the Champions League with the Blues, is wanted at the Hawthorns on a short-term deal due to his experience.

The Evening Standard says striker Ben Woodburn will leave Anfield on a season-long loan to Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam. The Wales international has had injury-interrupted loans with Sheffield United and Oxford, with the 20-year-old journeying to the Netherlands on the recommendation of Liverpool's Dutch assistant coach, Pepijn Lijnders.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Mbwana Samatta: The Daily Mail reports the 27-year-old forward is leaving Aston Villa despite only signing with the club in January, with Turkish media saying Besiktas will attempt to snap him up.

Florentino Luis: Fulham want to sign Benfica's 21-year-old midfielder on a loan deal with an option to buy, according to The Sun

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


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