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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
1Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
2Arsenal36265588286083
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


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