Paper round-up: Spurs linked with Murphy and Chinese club reportedly want Costa

Tottenham are battling with Liverpool to sign youngster Jacob Murphy from Norwich City, the Sunday People say.

It is claimed that Liverpool will try to beat Spurs to the signing by making an offer for Murphy, 21, and agreeing to loan him back to Norwich for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to offer Jack Wilshere a new contract, according to the Sun on Sunday.

The Sunday Express have picked up on a report in Italy claiming that Juventus want Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.

Brentford striker Scott Hogan has again been linked with a potential move to West Ham.

According to the Sunday Telegraph, the Hammers see Hogan and Southampton’s Shane Long as alternative signings if they are unable to prise Jermain Defoe away from Sunderland.

Chelsea have launched a £60m bid to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, the Sunday Express claim.

The newspaper declare that Van Dijk, 25, is Blues boss Antonio Conte’s ‘number one target’ for the January transfer window.

And Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian are considering making an £80m bid for Chelsea striker Diego Costa, it is claimed.

Tianjin are said to have had a £50m offer for the player rejected by the Blues last month.

Costa, 28, would be set to earn £480,000-a-week playing for the Chinese Super League club, the Sun on Sunday say.

A source is quoted by the newspaper as saying: “Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes was working on the deal for Tianjin but Chelsea have said ‘no’ to the bid. It was around £50m and the wages of £480,000-a-week would have put him among the highest earners in the world.

“At the moment, the club are seriously thinking about going back in with a much improved offer. They’re thinking about £75m would be more than right for a player of his age.

“Costa is Brazil-born and the Chinese believe Brazilian footballers are best suited to their league. The division is full of them. Hulk, Oscar, Paulinho, Alex Teixeira and Ramires are to name only a few out here.”