Arsenal will have to compete with several other clubs, including Barcelona, to secure Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar in a summer deal, according to reports.
The Spanish giants, along with Premier League clubs said to include Liverpool, are poised to go for the France international, says The Daily Telegraph. The Gunners launched a failed £90million bid in August, the collapse of which meant Manchester City’s £60million attempted purchase of ALEXIS SANCHEZ also fell through.
Chelsea are to offer midfielder CESC FABREGAS a new deal in the hope of beating off any advances from former manager Jose Mourinho, according to The Times. The Spanish international has around a year and a half left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, where he joined in 2014 for around £30million. Manchester United have reportedly been monitoring Fabregas, 30, as an alternative target to MESUT OZIL, whose Arsenal contract expires in the summer.
Manchester United midfielder MICHAEL CARRICK is to snub any January advances from other Premier League clubs in a show of loyalty to his manager, The Metro reports. Mourinho is willing to keep the 36-year-old on, despite only making one appearance so far this season.
Carrick is set to stay at Old Trafford until his contract expires.
Arsenal and Chelsea are tracking RB Leipzig keeper PETER GULACSI as a potential target, The Sun reports. The former Liverpool goalkeeper has impressed after joining the Bundesliga side in 2015 and could be offered a return to the Premier League in January.
Another Leipzig performer, Dayot Upamecano, may also make a January move to Britain if Mourinho follows through with a plan reported in the Daily Express. The French 19-year-old central defender already has several years of experience in top-flight football. As a result AC Milan are also said to have him in their sights.
SOCIAL ROUND-UP
@BBCSport: Thomas Lemar is the big name on Wednesday’s back pages.
@TheSunfootball: Luke Shaw’s Manchester United future has taken a dramatic twist.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
YUSUF YAZICI: The 20-year-old Trabzonspor attacker has capped for national team Turkey and is rumoured to be an Arsenal target, Fotomac reports.
TAMMY ABRAHAM: The Chelsea striker, 20, currently making a success of a stint on loan at Swansea, has decided to commit to England, following speculation he may have opted to play for Nigeria through his paternal links, The Times reports.
DIEGO LAINEZ: Liverpool scouts have watched the 17-year-old Mexican striker, who plays for Liga MX side Club America, according to ESPN Deportes.