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Thursday's papers: Odion Ighalo, Dayot Upamecano, Man City vs. Liverpool battle

Manchester United are keen to keep Odion Ighalo, while a young French defender is attracting the interest of several clubs.

What the papers say

Manchester United are eager to extend Odion Ighalo's loan stay at the club, but are waiting to see when the Premier League will restart, according to the Daily Mail. Ighalo, 30, has impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during his loan spell from Shanghai Shenhua, which expires on May 31. United are said to want to keep the Nigerian for longer after he scored four goals in eight games for the club.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United are eyeing RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, Football.London reports. Arsenal are slight favourites to sign the 21-year-old France under-21 defender, said to be one of the speediest centre-backs in Europe. The Gunners have been pleased with the progress of centre-back Pablo Mari since he joined on loan from Flamengo in January, but Mikel Arteta is keen to add further depth in that area.

Manchester City and Liverpool may end up in a battle to sign another promising youngster, 17-year-old Belgian midfielder Aster Vranckx, the Daily Mirror says. The KV Mechelens midfielder has been raising eyebrows across Europe this season, with both Premier League giants having sent scouts to watch him. With Bayern Munich and Feyenoord also interested, City and Liverpool may be tempted to get in first.

Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City – FA Cup – Fifth Round – Hillsborough
Pep Guardiola is reportedly keen on young French defender Boubacar Kamara (Martin Rickett/PA)

Manchester City are set to bid for Marseille's French defender Boubacar Kamara, Le10 Sport reports. The 20-year-old has claimed a rating as one of the top young defenders in Europe this season, and City are preparing an offer believed to be around the £28million mark.

Real Madrid v Liverpool – UEFA Champions League – Final – NSK Olimpiyskiy Stadium
Loris Karius could be on his way back to Liverpool (Nick Potts/PA)

Goalkeeper Loris Karius is set to return to Liverpool to see out the remaining two years on his contract, Turkish paper Fanatik reports. The 26-year-old's loan spell at Besiktas was cancelled this week, and he is reportedly keen to return to Merseyside rather than go to another club.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: The Arsenal midfielder's loan spell at Roma could become permanent, but the Italian club wants the Gunners to pay part of his £180,000 weekly salary, ESPN reports.

Tiemoue Bakayoko: The Chelsea midfielder, currently on loan at Monaco, wants to return to AC Milan, Calciomercato says.

Joe Hugill: While Manchester United hold the front running for Sunderland's 16-year-old forward, Arsenal, Tottenham, Wolves and Leeds have this week joined in the chase as well, according to the Northern Echo.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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