WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

After Paul Clement’s reign at Swansea came to a halt on Wednesday evening, thoughts have turned to who will be next in the hot seat at the Liberty Stadium. The Daily Mirror is reporting that the club want former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal to take over at the club cemented to the bottom of the Premier League. The paper said the Swansea hierarchy have put the former Holland boss on their shortlist and they are hoping to make an appointment before Saturday’s game with Crystal Palace.

While the Daily Star report that Clement’s sacking paves the way for Tony Pulis to return to the Premier League.

The paper says Pulis has a reputation for keeping clubs safe from relegation and could make a swift return to management after being dismissed by West Brom in November.

Chelsea will reignite their interest in Everton’s Ross Barkley in the transfer window, the Evening Standard reports.

Antonio Conte is keen to bring in three new faces to Stamford Bridge with the paper reporting that Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey and Monaco’s Thomas Lemar also subject to interest.

Could Pulis move quickly back into management?

Alexis Sanchez will be heading to Manchester City in a £400,000-a-week deal, the Daily Mirror says. The Chilean striker – whose contract with Arsenal expires in the summer – will become one of the game’s top earners in the deal which City can afford as they will not have to pay a transfer fee.

Up-and-coming goalkeeper Sam Johnstone – currently on loan at Aston Villa – has emerged as a target for Crystal Palace, West Brom and West Ham according to the Daily Express. The England youth international has been on the books of Manchester United since 2010.

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Islam Slimani: Newcastle are favourites to sign the 29-year-old from Leicester, the Leicester Mercury reports.

Philippe Coutinho: Barcelona will go as high as £132million in their quest to sign the Liverpool man, Sport reports.

On-going transfer saga: Coutinho.