Today's Gossip: Juve Keep Tabs On N'Zonzi; United Eye Swede Star

Man United are ready to step up their interest in a new centre-back while Chelsea have made plans to fend off interest from Barecelona. ...

Man United are ready to step up their interest in a new centre-back while Chelsea have made plans to fend off interest from Barecelona.

Mou Makes Defender His January Priority
He's a player highly rated by none other than Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- and he is Jose Mourinho's top transfer target, according to the Mail.

Citing reports in Portugal, it says Benfica defender Victor Lindelof could soon be heading for Old Trafford, with United "confident they can close a deal."

Mourinho is keen to boost his defensive options and is reported to have again sent scouts to watch the centre-back -- who has won 11 caps for Sweden -- over the weekend.

Last week, Ibrahimovic said Lindelof, 22, was good enough to play for United or any of Europe's "big clubs" and praised him for "doing great things."

But Sky Sports reports a potential fly in the ointment, saying Benfica will refuse to let the player leave if they make sure of a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Juve Keep Tabbs on Sevilla's N'Zonzi
Midfielder Steven N'Zonzi has won plenty of admirers with his performances for Sevilla and Italian champions Juventus firmly among them, Calciomercato reports.

N'Zonzi, once of Blackburn and Stoke, has been linked with Barcelona as well as a return to the Premier League amid reported interest from both Chelsea and Manchester City.

Calciomercato says Juve CEO Giuseppe Marotta confirmed his club had scouted the 27-year-old but stressed that "we already have a great squad."

N'Zonzi has a contract at Sevilla until 2019 and earlier this month said he was flattered by speculation but happy where he is.

Baggies Still Keen On Sakho Swoop
West Bromwich Albion remain very much in contention to make a loan move for Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho, who has had a turbulent few months -- banned for failing a drugs test, suspended, cleared and then sent home early from a preseason U.S. tour for disciplinary reasons.

The Merseysiders are prepared to let the defender leave on loan in an attempt to enable him to regain fitness and form, and he has been linked with clubs including Roma.

The Mirror reports that West Brom "have maintained an interest" in the France international, despite their attempt to sign him in the summer being rebuffed.

But they are not the only ones in the market -- both Inter Milan and AC Milan are chasing the 26-year-old as well.

Jurgen Klopp has described Sunderland as the most defensive team he's come up against.

Gunner Akpom Poised For Championship Loan
Championship trio Brentford, Fulham and Cardiff are all in the frame to sign Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom on loan, according to the Mirror.

It says the Gunners want the 21-year-old to play regular football after returning from a back injury, having seen him benefit from previous loan spells at Hull and Brentford.

And it predicts that "there will be no short of takers, provided Akpom suffers no reaction in his rehab programme."

Akpom has featured once for the Gunners this season, playing in the EFL Cup victory at Nottingham Forest.

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, 25, has ruled out a move to Real Madrid or Paris St-Germain, but he would be open to a transfer to Barcelona or the Premier League (Various)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted he is willing to spend money to keep forward Alexis Sanchez, 27, at the club (Metro)

Arsenal are aiming to send striker Chuba Akpom out on loan in January – with Cardiff, Brentford and Fulham all keen – as the 21-year-old recovers from a back injury (Daily Mirror)

Leicester City defender Danny Simpson, 29, says the club’s Christmas party could be cancelled after their poor start to the Premier League season (Daily Mirror)

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is facing crisis talks over the next 48 hours as he bids to hold onto his job (Daily Express)

Midfielder Eden Hazard, 25, believes Chelsea are in a three-way fight for the Premier League title with Manchester City and Liverpool (Daily Telegraph)

Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt believes his former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard will reject the easy option of a lucrative career in television punditry and focus, instead, on following his ambition of one day becoming manager at Anfield (Independent)