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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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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifts the Champions League trophy on June 1, 2019
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City21172253134053
2Chelsea21127245162943
3Liverpool20126252183442
4Arsenal2011273325835
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham20104637271034
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1810352320333
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd199463027331
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves198471414028
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942020027
10Leicester CityLeicester187473133-225
11Crystal Palace205872930-123
12Brentford196582326-323
13Aston Villa1971112530-522
14Southampton194962029-921
15Everton185492332-919
16Leeds UnitedLeeds194782137-1619
17Watford1841132236-1413
18Burnley171881627-1111
19Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1918101942-2311
20Norwich CityNorwich192413842-3410

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