Paper Round: Van Gaal to bring in yet another Dutchman

Van Gaal to bring in Vlaar in January: The Sunday Express reports that Louis van Gaal "aims to help solve Manchester United’s defensive problems with a cut-price move for Aston Villa skipper Ron Vlaar in January. The central defender, who was a key figure in Holland’s passage to the World Cup semi-finals – one which was overseen by Van Gaal – sees his Villa contract run out next summer. That, believes Van Gaal, makes the 29-year-old vulnerable to bids during the January transfer window."

Paper Round's view: Finally, the type of player that United's defence has been crying out for. Vlaar would be a fourth Dutchman in a key role at the club, alongside Van Gaal, Daley Blind and Robin van Persie - and given Friday's news that Wesley Sneijder might finally make the move to Old Trafford, that would be five. At this rate, United might as well think about ditching their famous red shirts and just playing in orange.

Ex-Barcelona star turns down Liverpool move: The Sunday Mirror reports that former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes will not move to Liverpool, as widely expected, after turning down a trial with the Reds. Brendan Rodgers asked 32-year-old Valdes to come to Melwood for four days to prove his fitness following a serious knee injury earlier this year (the injury which prevented the out-of-contract star from signing in the summer). "But the Spain international, who is trying to secure a deal after leaving Barcelona in the summer, was reluctant to go 'on trial'."

Paper Round's view: Fair enough from Valdes, isn't it? With a drawer full of Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey medals he has nothing to prove to anyone, and surely a comprehensive fitness assessment/medical would have done the job? Liverpool might have shot themselves in the foot by treating an established star like a 20-year-old up-and-comer. And with the error-prone Simon Mignolet as their only serious option between the sticks, that could be a costly mistake.

Hoddle lined up to replace Redknapp: Glenn Hoddle is being lined up to replace Harry Redknapp at QPR, the Sunday Mirror reports. "QPR owner Tony Fernandes will turn to Glenn Hoddle if Harry Redknapp cannot halt the Hoops' dismal early-season form," the paper claims. "56-year-old Hoddle is said to be in front of [new head of football Les] Ferdinand or his close ally Tim Sherwood should Fernandes dispatch of the vastly experienced Redknapp."

Paper Round's view: Getting ready to stab your boss in the back and take his job - surely that's bad karma, Glenn?

Married United ace 'sends saucy pictures to two women': It's a surprise to find Antonio Valencia on the front page of The Sun on Sunday - it'd be a surprise to find the seemingly quiet Manchester United star anywhere in the paper, to be honest. And even more of a surprise to find that he shares pride of place with a Tory MP. It's all down to the latest 'sexting' scandal, with the paper alleging that "Valencia stands topless in one of a series of explicit selfies he sent to two women behind his wife’s back." The kiss-and-tell - or rather text-and-tell - comes partially via a beautician called Katy Latham, who had this to say: "We were just messaging and then, completely out of the blue, he sent me a picture of his willy."

Paper Round's view: Sometimes we have a view. Other times, we're just here to tell you what's in the papers.

Rooney 'still has kickabouts with pals on the pavement': Wayne Rooney told the media on Saturday that while he's a super-paid megastar, he's still the boy from Croxteth in lots of ways: "I’ve always believed myself to be from the streets in terms of football. I’ve always played there and still do now and again when I get time… Now and again, I go back and see friends where I am from and we have a kick-around. Everywhere we go, we sit there and there is a ball."

Paper Round's view: You'd think, considering that he earns £15 million a year, that he could afford to buy a house with a nice big garden. Or at least cough up £12 to rent a six-a-side pitch down at the local sports centre.

Tottenham tried to offload Bale for £5 million - but couldn't find a buyer: Martin Jol told Talksport that Gareth Bale could have been sold to Hamburg for a song back in 2008. "Hamburg could have bought Bale for £5 million because, of course, he was not playing at that moment," Jol told the radio show. "'I then asked Daniel Levy if we could take him on loan instead, but at that time it was not possible." Jol, a former Spurs boss who was at Hamburg at the time, added that Spurs touted him around Europe but found no takers.

Paper Round's view: An interesting tale, but it's hardly news that Bale took his time to grow into his talents. You do wonder, though: what would have become of him if he'd gone to the Bundesliga?