WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
Arsenal are readying to pull out all the stops to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and club bosses have flown to Germany for talks with Borussia Dortmund, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Gunners are keen to replace Alexis Sanchez with a star recruit, so could be willing to pay more than the £52 million splurged on Alexandre Lacazette in 2017, the newspaper says.
Dortmund are said to have suggested a swap involving Olivier Giroud, however a straight cash deal is still being pursued.
Chelsea are preparing to grab Roma duo Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri in a £44 million raid on the Serie A club, according to reports. The Guardian says Roma want an extra £13.2 million after a first round of talks last week. Negotiations are due to resume today, the paper says.
The Blues could also snap up Burnley striker Ashley Barnes to add more power to Antonio Conte’s attacking ability, according to The Sun. The clubs are yet to arrive at a figure, although super agent Pini Zahavi is said to be involved in securing a deal for the 28-year-old former Torquay and Brighton player.
Bristol City’s £7 million-rated left-back Joe Bryan is at the heart of a battle between Everton, Newcastle and Brighton, according to reports. The Daily Mirror says Magpies boss Rafa Benitez has been given the go-ahead to snatch the 24-year-old.
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge could be moving away from the Premier League as part of a loan deal, the Daily Mail reports. After no time on the pitch since early December, the 28-year-old is eyeing a spell at Sevilla in order to improve his World Cup chances, the paper says. The La Liga side are said to be willing to pay the striker’s wages until the end of the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Boubakary Soumare: The 18-year-old who has been tipped as the “new Paul Pogba” is on the radar of Manchester City, the Daily Mail says. The club’s academy boss is said to have travelled to France to watch the youngster in action at Lille. Everton and Leicester are also reported to be interested in the star midfielder.
Carlton Cole: Birmingham City and Hull City are sizing up the former England, West Ham and Chelsea striker, 34, as a fillip for their bids to avoid relegation from the Championship, The Sun reports.
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole.
