Manchester United will have to pay a premium price to land Holland forward Cody Gakpo in January after his World Cup heroics – and the Old Trafford hierarchy already have eyes on alternative target

Manchester United are ready to swoop in January to land Netherlands’ World Cup star Cody Gakpo – and PSV are willing to sell for £50m.

United were in for Gakpo in the summer, but decided instead to push for Ajax winger Antony, eventually paying £82million for the Brazil star.

PSV Eindhoven wanted £25m for Gakpo in the summer, but his three goals for Holland in Qatar, which have helped them reach the quarter-finals, have seen his transfer value double.

PSV, who are in the thick of the Dutch title race, do not want to lose Gakpo when the transfer window reopens in January, but will demand £50m if United come back in for him.

Julian Ward is looking at a top job in Europe after quitting as Liverpool’s sporting director.

Manchester City are ready to sign New York City’s 15-year-old left-back Christian McFarlane from their partner club.

Real Madrid are reportedly set to cut ties with Eden Hazard after his poor performances in the World Cup with Belgium.

Luis Suarez has slammed Fifa for ‘blocking him from seeing his children’ after Uruguay were knocked out of the World Cup.

Dusan Vlahovic could be on his way to Liverpool in a sensational swap deal which would see Ibrahima Konate go the other way.

DAILY EXPRESS

A wealthy consortium involving high-profile figures from Saudi Arabia and Qatar are preparing a mammoth bid to take control of Liverpool, according to reports.

DAILY MAIL

Reports have claimed that Germany’s controversial hand-over-mouth protest prior to their World Cup opener against Japan was not unanimously supported by the players.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has admitted that it is difficult to refer to his team as a ‘golden generation’ when they haven’t won anything.

Garang Kuol believes Australia will one day be a major force to be reckoned with in international football and revealed rubbing shoulders with Lionel Messi felt ‘like a dream’.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has spoken to former Oldham manager Dean Holden as he considers potential new assistants.

South Korea manager Paulo Bento has criticised the lack of time between games at the World Cup.

DAILY MIRROR

Lionel Messi has defended Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez after the substitute missed a pair of big late chances against Australia.

THE ATHLETIC

Patrick Bamford has been left out of Leeds United’s training camp in Spain after undergoing a groin operation.

Jadon Sancho will miss Manchester United’s trip to Spain.

THE GUARDIAN

Daley Blind has said the Netherlands are drawing inspiration at the World Cup from Louis van Gaal’s recovery from cancer.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Arsenal are sweating over the seriousness of Gabriel Jesus’ knee problem after Tite hit out at “evil lies” that he knew he was injured before he played against Cameroon.

England’s players will have a key input into the review process that could seal the fate of head coach Eddie Jones on Monday – and the appointment of his successor if the Australian is dismissed.

THE TIMES

Alexis Mac Allister thinks that Aziz Behich, the Australia left-back, made a big mistake by picking a fight with Lionel Messi in the round of 16 match against Argentina.

SCOTTISH SUN

Rangers’ Croatia left-back Borna Barisic could be set to make his World Cup debut in the round of 16 against Japan on Monday.

Sunderland striker Ross Stewart is a target for Olympiakos.