Arsene Wenger is to make a surprise move for Juventus striker Fernando Llorente; Manchester City will step up their pursuit of £60 million-rated Kevin De Bruyne; and PSG expect to sign Angel Di Maria very shortly – the top stories from today’s papers.
‘Arsenal to move for Llorente’ – Arsene Wenger is set to make an £8 million move for Fernando Llorente because he believes he’s missed out on Karim Benzema, that’s according to a report in The Sun. The paper says Llorente is available for a move to the Emirates with Juventus ready to offload him after capturing Mario Mandzukic from Atletico Madrid. Reports had suggested that Manchester United would move for Llorente, but The Sun is adamant that Wenger will make the decisive bid for the forward with £8m set to be put on the table. The paper even quotes a ‘top Juve source’ as saying, “It’s Arsenal who have been in contact – not United”.
Paper Round’s view: The 30-year-old is now fourth choice at Juventus, it seems, and he reportedly wants to leave in order to attempt to force his way back into the Spain squad for Euro 2016. A move to the Premier League would make a lot of sense for the player, who joined on a free from Athletic Bilbao two years ago, but is he really going to be the dynamic lone striker Arsenal are looking for? Llorente could be seen to be past his best and Wenger, if indeed he is making a move, will be desperately hoping that is not the case. Arsenal fans would have to wonder why Juventus would be willing to part with him at this stage.
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‘Di Maria expected to join PSG soon’ - PSG expect to leave North America next weekend with £45.9 million Angel Di Maria as their player, according to a report in the Daily Mirror. The French giants, who are set to face Chelsea on Saturday night, are reportedly confident they have clinched a deal to prise the unhappy Argentina winger away from Manchester United. According to the paper’s report, PSG are looking to have the 27-year-old winger in their camp well in the coming days.
Paper Round’s view: This is a transfer waiting to happen, it seems. United boss Louis Van Gaal is reportedly prepared to let Di Maria leave if he wants to quit after a difficult first year in England and it has been no secret that the player has struggled to settle. United broke the British transfer record to sign the Argentine from Real Madrid last summer for £59.7 million so understandably they are seeking to recoup as much as they possibly can for him and put the money towards a big-name replacement.
‘City to step up chase for De Bruyne’ - Manchester City are poised to step up their pursuit of Belgian ace Kevin de Bruyne, according to a report in the Manchester Evening News. The midfielder is in England with club Wolfsburg for the Emirates Cup and his team play Villarreal on Sunday. According to the paper, his agent Patrick De Koster has travelled to the UK to follow up talks with City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain. The City official apparently stayed in England rather than travel with the squad on their pre-season tour of Australia so that he could hold talks over a move for De Bruyne, who is valued at £60 million.
Paper Round’s view: With their pursuit of Juventus star Paul Pogba seemingly at a stalemate, it would make sense for City to want to press on with a deal for De Bruyne. Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs claims he is still awaiting an official bid, but this would appear a good time for both parties to at least hold talks over the forward’s future. City have already landed Raheem Sterling from Liverpool, Fabian Delph from Aston Villa and Bursaspor teenager Enes Unal, but no one really thinks that their lavish summer spending is at an end already.
‘Villa in talks with Lorient’s Ayew’ - Aston Villa have opened talks with Ghana striker Jordan Ayew, who is due in Birmingham ahead of a £9 million deal, according to a report in the Daily Mirror. Tim Sherwood had apparently held a transfer summit earlier this week to discuss spending following the sales of stars Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph to Liverpool and Manchester City, and the Midlands club have now reportedly stepped up their move for Ayew, after offering around £9m to French side Lorient. The paper adds that Villa also want striker Emmanuel Adebayor and winger Andros Townsend from Sherwood’s old club Spurs.
Paper Round’s view: The 23-year-old scored 15 goals last season in Ligue 1 and can play a variety of roles across the front line so would be a versatile signing for Sherwood. Ayew's brother, and fellow forward, Andre has already moved to the Premier League this summer, joining Swansea from Marseille, so it could represent an attractive move for the player on many fronts. As for the speculation about Adebayor and Townsend, moves for both players are actually pretty believable given Sherwood’s unwavering admiration for the pair.
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