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Tuesday's papers: Sergio Ramos, Wilfried Zaha, Diego Costa

Wilfried Zaha and Diego Costa feature in today's visit to the football rumour mill.

What the papers say

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is being chased by AC Milan, according to The Sun. Milan are the current Serie A leaders but are thought to still want more firepower. Zaha, who scored from a brilliant volley in Palace's 1-1 draw with Leicester on Monday, now has eight goals and two assists from just 14 games. Rather than be concerned by the Ivorian's age, Milan see the 28-year-old as a player at the height of his powers.

Arsenal are contemplating a surprise move for former Chelsea forward Diego Costa, according to Spanish outlet AS. With reports saying Costa has been told he can leave Atletico Madrid in January – six months before the end of his contract – the Gunners are being mentioned as one of the keenest clubs to sign him as Mikel Arteta seeks to rectify a lack of potency up front. The 32-year-old, who returned to Atletico from Chelsea in 2018, has been plagued by injuries in recent years.

Real Madrid v Manchester City – UEFA Champions League – Round of 16 – First Leg – Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos could be on his way to Spurs (Nick Potts/PA)

Tottenham could make a play for veteran defender Sergio Ramos as his contract stand-off with Real Madrid continues, the Daily Mail reports. The 34-year-old is in the final year of his contract, and manager Zinedine Zidane has made seemingly indifferent comments about his future at the club. Jose Mourinho is said to be keen to reunite with Ramos at Spurs, while Paris St-Germain are also said to be interested.

Newcastle are keen to bolster their depth with loan signings in January, with Manchester United defender Brandon Williams at the top of their wish list, according to the Evening Chronicle. The Magpies' buying power will be restricted after their summer purchases and a loss of revenue amid the pandemic, and 20-year-old Williams has caught the eye of manager Steve Bruce.

Real Madrid v Liverpool – UEFA Champions League – Final – NSK Olimpiyskiy Stadium
Real Madrid's Isco is a target for Everton and possibly Arsenal (Mike Egerton/PA)

Everton and Arsenal are keen on Spain midfielder Isco, according to Mundo Deportivo. The 28-year-old is set to leave Real Madrid, and has a preference for England over the Serie A. Isco's opportunities have been on a downward swing of late, and he is reportedly itching for a move to gain more time on the pitch.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Hakan Calhanoglu: The 26-year-old Turkey midfielder could be on his way of AC Milan as contract negotiations bog down, Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Southampton v Arsenal – Premier League – St Mary's
Fenerbahce could be the latest potential lifeline for Arsenal as the Gunners seek a solution to their Mesut Ozil woes (Catherine Ivill/PA)

Mesut Ozil: Turkey's Fenerbahce are the latest club linked with the 32-year-old, as Arsenal seek to move on the midfielder, The Sun reports.

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Jack Grealish in action for Aston Villa on December 20, 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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