Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte could take the reins at Real Madrid if Julen Lopetegui is sacked on Monday, according to reports. The Italian has been tipped to take over at the Bernabeu if the beleaguered boss is given his marching orders after losing the confidence of club president Florentino Perez, the Daily Mail says. Real’s 5-1 El Clasico rout marked the first time since 2009 that they had lost three in a row and saw them slide to ninth in La Liga.

Tottenham are raising the tempo in their pursuit of Barcelona forward Malcom, The Sun reports. After making no signings at all over the summer, Spurs are said to be set to make a £50million bid for the 21-year-old Brazilian. The Londoners are expected to come up against Inter Milan in the fight to secure Malcom’s services, although any buyer will have to stump up more than Barca paid for him as part of a £36.5million deal – despite his failure to shine at the Nou Camp.

Chelsea and Manchester United are set to go head-to-head to land Arsenal veteran Aaron Ramsey if he leaves the club, the Daily Express reports. After 10 years at the Emirates the 27-year-old Wales midfielder’s contract is yet to be renewed or extended and he is expected to become a free agent in the summer, the paper says. As well as the Reds and Blues several European clubs are said too be keeping tabs on Ramsay, with Juventus and Valencia tipped as potential suitors.

Arsenal director of football Raul Sanllehi has signalled the Gunners will not make any big purchases in January. He told the Mail on Sunday that does not believe in the winter window and it is all about getting the summer transfer season right. Unai Emery’s arrival at the Emirates heralded significant changes and a crop of new players. Sanllehi admitted “there are exceptions”, although the January window is “for emergencies, a big injury or if something is really not working”.

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Players to watch

Phil Foden: Juventus are primed to snap up Manchester City’s 18-year-old midfielder, according to reports.

Piotr Zielinski: Liverpool have been keeping watch of Napoli’s Poland international, although the 24-year-old could soon sign an extension, the Daily Express reports.