Paper Talk: Spurs want England man; LAFC to loan back Zlatan
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is aiming to “hijack” Chelsea’s move for Virgil van Dijk, while a new suitor has emerged to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, all in today’s papers.
WENGER JOINS VAN DIJK RACE
Arsene Wenger has reportedly joined the race to sign Southampton’s £50million-rated centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
The Daily Mirror claims “Arsenal have made enquiries” about the highly rated defender as Wenger plots to use a back three on a regular basis.
Chelsea are believed to be in pole position to sign van Dijk but Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City are also keen tracking the 25-year-old.
The report claims Arsenal were in for the player when he joined the Saints from Celtic for £13million in September 2015.
Roma’s Kostas Manolas is also believed to be a target as Wenger plans to continue with the back three experiment which served them well against Middlesbrough.
NEW ZLATAN SUITORS
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be offered a £5million-a-season deal to join new MLS franchise Los Angeles FC.
The Daily Mail report that Ibrahimovic, who is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer after joining on a 12-month deal from PSG last season, is a target for LA, who are planning loaning him back to United.
LAFC owner Tom Penn recently admitted he was looking for a “player of global stature” and then claimed “they will likely be loaned back”.
That could well be a deal maker for United if the 35-year-old, who has been linked with LA Galaxy, decides his future does not solely lay with United.
LAFC’s will allow him to play the first half of another European season on loan in 2017/18 before joining them after that.
David Beckham did the same playing for AC Milan and then LA Galaxy in 2009 and 2010.
AND THE REST
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reportedly turned down to the chance to sign midfielders N’Golo Kante, 26, who is now with league leaders Chelsea, and Thomas Lemar, 21, now with Monaco, for a combined £12.6m only two years ago. (Sun)
Chelsea fear that a fresh £650,000-a-week offer from China has turned the head of 28-year-old Spain striker Diego Costa. (Daily Mirror)
Captain Troy Deeney says he has been “linked with everyone” but could leave Watford this summer “if they want to get rid of me”, with West Brom eyeing a £20m move for the 28-year-old English striker. (Daily Star)
Claudio Ranieri says he is ready to return to management, two months after he was sacked by Leicester. (BT Sport)
Up to 16 players could leave Sunderland this summer, with the Black Cats looking destined for relegation to the Championship. (Daily Star)
Having been been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, Lukaku has now revealed he subscribes to their clubs’ TV channels.(Sport via Manchester Evening News)
Fit-again goalkeeper Jack Butland, 24, is targeting an imminent comeback with England as well as Stoke City.(Stoke Sentinel)
Manchester City are struggling to sell out their ticket allocation ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Arsenal – around 2,000 are still unsold. (Sun)
Manchester United are the favourites to sign Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez this summer, although Arsenal remain an interested party. (Daily Star)
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is looking to offload Juan Mata, with reports he is keen to sign Benfica’s Anderson Talisca as an Old Trafford replacement. (Daily Express)
Spurs are ready to enter the bidding for Burnley’s 24-year-old England defender Michael Keane, which could boost Manchester United’s hopes of landing Tottenham’s England midfielder Eric Dier, 23.(Daily Telegraph)
Fulham’s English left-back Ryan Sessegnon will sign a professional contract with the Championship club when he turns 17 next month.(Daily Mail)
Southampton want to sign Iceland playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, 27, from Swansea and Leeds’ Sweden defender Pontus Jansson, 26.(NBC)
Southampton, Everton, West Ham and Newcastle are interested in signing Sigurdsson, who is valued at £35m. (Daily Mail)