Today's Gossip: Griezmann Demands Exit; Van Dijk Favours Reds Move As Mou Target Chelsea Star

Man Utd Target Griezmann Asks To Leave Atletico

Antoine Griezmann has told Atletico Madrid officials that he wants to leave the club this summer, according to reports.

That is according to Spanish journalist Antonio Ruiz, who is said to be well connected in Madrid.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with Griezmann, with the Red Devils understood to be willing to cough up the 100million euros required to activate the playmaker’s release clause.

Griezmann is currently with the France squad after taking a break in the United States last week.

The Atletico forward said in an interview on French TV at the start of last week that he hoped to have his future sorted within a fortnight, with United’s Europa League win and their subsequent qualification for the Champions League putting them at the front of the queue for the 26-year-old.

Van Dijk Favours Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp is hoping his magic touch can help Liverpool pull off a major surprise and land £50m-rated Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are locked in a four-way battle for Southampton’s Dutch centre half with Antonio Conte’s newly-crowned champions believed to be in pole position.

But it is understood that Liverpool have a genuine chance of doing a deal because van Dijk is attracted by the proposition of playing for Klopp.

Klopp is ready to make it clear that he will make van Dijk his defensive kingpin, that he can become a Kop legend and that he is the only centre half he is interested in this summer.

It will be a hard sell from Liverpool and, with the bonus of Champions League football, they hope they can lure him to Merseyside.

All four clubs have sounded out van Dijk’s advisers and made strong enquiries, and Liverpool and Arsenal are ready to pay the best financial package of around £200,000-a-week.

Chelsea and Manchester City are also in the hunt with both clubs eager to land the powerful defender this summer.

Man United Ready To Bid For Benched Bale

Manchester United's potentially huge summer spending could get even bigger if Gareth Bale fails to start the Champions League final for Real Madrid, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Barcelona outlet reports that United could be encouraged to bid for Bale if he starts the final on the bench after telling coach Zinedine Zidane he is fit and ready to play against Juventus.

Injury problems have seen him play an intermittent role at times this season, with Isco -- who has started in his place -- potentially in the XI in Cardiff despite Wales international Bale coming through training unscathed.

And if that happens, Mundo Deportivo says it would give United belief that Bale could be tempted to return to the Premier League.

Kelechi’s Future

Manchester City striker Keleci Iheanacho will reject offers to leave the Premier League, despite interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, a source close to the player has told ESPN FC.

Iheanacho, 20, is expected to leave City this summer in search of more playing time after falling down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola, but the player prefers to stay in England.

"He has been in England for the last three years and is two years away from getting his UK citizenship," the source said. "There is no point in moving outside England right now."

West Ham are reported to be leading the chase for his services for a fee of around £20 million, but the source said that the deal would not go through immediately, until a legal dispute with his former agents is resolved.

Man United Will Target Willian If Perisic Pursuit Fails

Although United remain hopeful of signing Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic, the difference between the clubs' valuations means they could look elsewhere, the Independent reports.

United are said to have "a verbal agreement" with Croatia international Perisic, but hopes of a deal "could be scuppered due to Inter's €50 million asking price."

The Old Trafford club are willing to pay closer to €35m, and Jose Mourinho will move for his former player Willian if the difference cannot be resolved.

Although United "have made an initial approach," Willian has said he is not keen to leave "despite Chelsea being understood to have been willing to do a deal."

But the Independent says Perisic "wants to go to Old Trafford," with talks over terms having been held -- and his arrival could mean United are more willing to listen to any offers for Anthony Martial.

Meanwhile, on the defensive front, the Mirror reports that United "are favourites" to sign Tottenham defender Danny Rose, with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino already looking for replacements.

Man City To Focus On Defensive Rebuild

Talking of big spending and Manchester, there is more to come from Manchester City, who will follow up the signing of Bernardo Silva and the impending arrival of goalkeeper Ederson with an overhaul of their back line, the Independent says.

It reports that Pep Guardiola will step up his pursuit of Spurs right-back Kyle Walker, Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy and either Paris Saint-Germain's Marquinhos or Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao.

The City coach has become "frustrated with how long it has taken some players to fully grasp his ideas" and wants "a total overhaul" of his defence.

City have yet to submit a formal bid for Walker, but the Independent says they will do so after signing Mendy and will then focus on bringing in a new central defender.

Either Laporte -- linked with a move to City last year -- or Marquinhos is likely to cost more than £50m.

Liverpool To Sign 19-Year-Old Chelsea Striker

Liverpool are to sign Chelsea's teenage forward Dominic Solanke after he failed to agree a contract with the Premier League champions.

The fee for the 19-year-old will be decided by a tribunal, with Liverpool expected to pay around £3m.

Solanke, who is currently part of England's squad at the under-20 World Cup in South Korea, spent the 2015-16 season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem, scoring seven goals in 25 games.

He made one senior Chelsea appearance.

As Solanke is older than 17 and will sign a professional contract, Liverpool's transfer embargo, which is enforced on signing academy players from other England clubs for two years, will not apply.

Others

AC Milan's Colombia striker Carlos Bacca, 30, Leicester's Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez, 26, and Monaco's French midfielder Thomas Lemar, 21, are on Arsene Wenger's radar after the Frenchman pledged his future to Arsenal. (Daily Mirror)

Wenger will be given £100m to spend in the transfer window after agreeing a new two-year deal to stay at the Gunners. (Daily Star)

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, 25, is interested in joining Liverpool, who can offer the £50m-rated Netherlands player Champions League football next season. (Daily Mirror)

Atletico Madrid and France striker Antoine Griezmann, 26, has told the club he wants to leave. He has an £87m release clause and Manchester United have been linked with a move. (Cadena Cope - in Spanish)

Paris St-Germain and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi, 30, says he "does not know" if he will be at the club next season, which is encouraging news for United. (Independent)

Wednesday's Daily Mirror

The back page of Wednesday's Daily Mirror concentrates on Arsene Wenger staying on as Arsenal boss

Chelsea's Dutch defender Nathan Ake, 22, is set for talks to decide whether he stays at the club or goes out on loan next season to get more game time. (Guardian)

Former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is close to being named as Leeds United boss after his friend Victor Orta was named as director of football at Elland Road. (Sun)

Manchester City's Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho, 20, will reject offers from Paris St-Germain and Borussia Dortmund to stay in England. (ESPN)

Borussia Dortmund have begun negotiations with Nice boss Lucien Favre to replace Thomas Tuchel who left the German Cup winners. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez wants to be reunited with his former Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and is eyeing a £4m move for the Spaniard, who plays for Napoli. (Daily Mirror)

The back page of Wednesday's Daily Express

Arsene Wenger's future also dominates the back page of the Daily Express

Huddersfield Town, who were promoted to the Premier League on Monday, want to sign Crystal Palace striker Fraizer Campbell, 29, who is out of contract this summer and available on a free transfer. (Sun)

Marseille target, 27-year-old winger Moussa Sissoko, has urged his club Tottenham not to block a move away this summer. (London Evening Standard)

Chelsea want Paris St-Germain's French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, 24, to replace Bosnia's Asmir Begovic, who joined Bournemouth on Tuesday. (Sun)