Paper Talk: Chelsea, City, United, Arsenal speculation

Mark Holmes

Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal have all been linked with players in Sunday’s newspapers.

CAVANI OFFERED TO PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS

Edinson Cavani looks set to move to the Premier League this summer, according to the Sun on Sunday.

The newspaper says the 29-year-old ‘has his heart set on England’ after three seasons in France, with Chelsea and Manchester City already sounded out about the possibility of signing the Uruguay striker this summer.

Antonio Conte, who is favourite for the Chelsea job, is said to be a huge admirer of Cavani, with the Mail on Sunday also claiming he will push to sign the former Napoli star if he lands the job at Stamford Bridge.

Pep Guardiola is also set to look for a striker to support Sergio Aguero, it is said, while Manchester United are long-term admirers but would likely face disappointment unless they can make the Champions League.

CHELSEA LOSE HOPE ON MAN CITY-BOUND STONES

Chelsea fear they have missed out on the signing of John Stones, reports the Mail on Sunday, with the Everton defender apparently now looking increasingly likely to make a £45million move to Manchester City.

Italy manager Antonio Conte is confident he will be appointed Chelsea manager and would push to sign Juventus defenders Giorgio Chiellini, 31, and Leonardo Bonucci, 28, but the newspaper says their ages and contractual situations make them difficult targets.

The Blues are said to be scouting several centre-halves, though, and have even considered a move for Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann, though the Eagles’ likely £20million valuation of the 29-year-old would put off the west London club.

ARSENAL STEP UP SCOUTING OF ‘DUTCH VIEIRA’

Arsenal are stepping up their scouting of Ajax midfielder Riechedly Bazoer, according to the Sunday People.

Arsene Wenger has apparently been keeping tabs on the 19-year-old, nicknamed ‘the Dutch Vieira’ for some time, but now the Gunners boss has apparently made sure the club have a representative at almost every game the youngster appears in.

Bazoer is already closing in on a century of first-team appearances at Ajax and has already won a Netherlands cap, attracting the interest of clubs across Europe including Juventus, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal could now be ready to make a move this summer, but Bazoer is under contract until 2020 and so would have to offer more than £15million to tempt Ajax into selling, the newspaper claims.

AND THE REST

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is set to sign a new £250,000-a-week, four-year contract to keep him at the club until 2020 (Sun on Sunday)

Incoming Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola plans to give Aleix Garcia and Ante Coric a chance in midfield next season, throwing Yaya Toure’s future into doubt (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester City face disappointment in their attempts to recruit Sergio Busquets from Barcelona, with the Catalan player now pressing Barca to open contact talks (Mail on Sunday)

At least two senior Manchester United players have spoken to their Chelsea rivals about Jose Mourinho (Sun on Sunday)

Manchester United have scouted Hull City left-back Andrew Robertson, who has also been watched by Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham (Daily Star Sunday)

Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero is a target back in his home country for River Plate and Independiente (Daily Star Sunday)

Arsenal and Chelsea are battling for the signature of Barcelona youth team striker Abel Ruiz, who is only 16 (Sunday People)

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is keen on 30-year-old Napoli defender Raul Albiol (Sunday People)