Lacazette not for Jose
Jose Mourinho was advised against bringing Alexandre Lacazette to Manchester United after the club’s scouting team determined that the striker had “no physical impact” and is not a “big game player”. This from a United source, as quoted in the Express and Daily Star, while the Guardian have also run with the story. It comes the day after United signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton, while Lacazette moved to Arsenal last week.
Paper Round’s view: The mind games have begun! And there’s still a month to go before the first Premier League ball of the 2017/18 season is kicked… That will indeed come at the Emirates as Arsenal host Leicester on Friday August 11 – all eyes will therefore be on Lacazette, and now that United have upped the ante, the spotlight will also zero in on the Frenchman come their first ‘big game’ at Liverpool on August 27. There’ll be the small matter of seeing how he fares on a (maybe cold, maybe wet) Saturday evening in Stoke the week before…
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United aim for another Chelsea target
Having snatched Lukaku from under Chelsea’s noses, United are now hoping to beat the Premier League champions to the signing of Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Times claim that talks between Chelsea and Bakayoko are dragging on, leading United to make a late enquiry – where they’ve indicated that they would be willing to trump the offer of £35m currently on the table.
Tiemoué BakayokoGetty Images
Paper Round’s view: You seldom see clubs go toe-to-toe with regards to transfers, but this is shaping up to be an intriguing battle between Jose Mourinho and his former employers. United’s midfield is an area that needs strengthening – stealing Bakayoko from Chelsea’s grasp would enhance their starting XI and deal a blow to a title rival in the process.
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Costa to stay and fight
Meanwhile, Diego Costa is reportedly willing to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place, despite being deemed surplus to requirements by Antonio Conte. The Blues boss had advised the striker that he will not feature in his plans for next season, but now the Express report that Costa is ready to overcome their differences, particularly as the Spaniard would be able to play for Atletico Madrid – the only move Costa desires – after their transfer ban is lifted in January.
Paper Round’s view: The only concern here would be that Costa would become cup-tied for the Champions League, making any move in January unlikely. A lot can happen in a few months, even a few days, so who knows what twists this Costa tale will take before the transfer window ends. He still has a lot offer – a few key strikes and he could be back in Conte’s good books. If he’s anywhere near the pitch that is.
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£90m for Sanchez…
…Or else he’s staying. According to the Independent, Arsenal will not consider a bid lower than £90m for Alexis Sanchez. Having just signed Lacazette, Arsene Wenger is determined to keep his big-name players at the Emirates. Sanchez is top of that list, and though it is believed Sanchez wants a move to Manchester City, Wenger is unwilling to sell the Chilean to a title rival unless it’s for a big sum.
Paper Round’s view: Ah the inflation. Now that Rom’s gone red for £75m, Arsenal will feel that £90m is a perfectly reasonable asking price for a world-class player such as Sanchez. This one’s going to drag on, but with each day you get the sense that Wenger will manage to keep hold of his man – the only fear will be that Sanchez is unwilling to put his all in for the Arsenal cause come August, should he stay.
