Paper Talk: Man Utd eye trio, West Ham lead Batshuayi race

Ian Watson
Youri Tielemans: Wanted by Prem giants

Youri Tielemans: Wanted by Prem giants

Manchester United are in the hunt for a France forward and a couple of Belgian midfielders, while West Ham are leading the chase for Marseille star Michy Batshuayi.

LACAZETTE LINKED WITH UNITED AND SPURS

Alexandre Lacazette is again being linked to the Premier League, nearly a year on from almost joining Newcastle.

Manchester United are said to have been watching the Lyon striker closely during a season in which he has scored 19 goals in 40 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

That is according to the Daily Express, which also reports that Tottenham have been following Lacazette’s progress, as well as Lyon team-mate Samuel Umtiti.

The Sun writes that Lyon have already identified Lacazette’s replacement: Toulouse striker Wissam Ben Yedde.

Lacazette, 24, was heavily linked with a switch to Newcastle last summer after finishing as Ligue 1’s top scorer in 2014-15. The forward, who has notched seven goals in his last six matches was close to moving to St James’ Park for a fee in the region of £22million but opted to stay in France.

Alexandre Lacazette Lyon

RED DEVILS EYE YOUNG RED DEVILS

United are also said to be tracking Anderlecht pair Youri Tielemans and Leander Dendoncker.

The Sun repeats a report in Belgium that the Red Devils had scouts watching the midfielders in action during a 1-1 draw with Gent on Thursday evening.

Tielemans, 18, is understood to have been tracked by almost three-quarters of all the clubs in the Premier League, including all the big hitters. Juve and Atletico are also said to be interested in the teenager, who will cost at least £20million.

Dendoncker, 21, is a defensive midfielder who has already been capped by Belgium.

Leander Dendoncker Anderlecht

HAMMERS TO IRON OUT DEAL FOR BATSHUAYI

West Ham are understood to have jumped ahead of Tottenham in the queue to sign Michy Batshuayi.

The Hammers are looking to splash the cash ahead of their move tot the Olympic Stadium this summer and L’Equipe claims the club’s owners have sanctioned a deal worth £31.5million to bring the Marseille striker to London.

Belgian Batshuayi, 22, has scored 15 goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances for OM this season. West Ham have already strengthened their attacking ranks ahead of next season with the signing of Toni Martinez from Valencia.

Michy Batshuayi Marseille

 

AND THE REST

– Roberto Martinez is off to Wembley today, knowing he could be axed in three games. (The Sun)
– Slaven Bilic is ready to make Michy Batshuayi West Ham’s marquee summer signing in a club record deal worth £31.5m. (The Sun)
– Manchester United are reportedly lining up a double swoop for Anderlecht midfielders Youri Tielemans and Leander Dendoncker after watching them on Thursday evening. (The Sun)
– Everton’s Phil Jagielka could be the odd man out for England, with Roy Hodgson planning to take only seven defenders to Euro 2016. (Daily Mirror)
– Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been offered to West Ham as Arsene Wenger plans a summer clear-out. (Daily Mirror)
– Louis van Gaal admits he could be sacked even if Manchester United win the FA Cup. (Daily Mirror)
– Watford will make a move for Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa – as Quique Sanchez Flores faces a fight to save his job. (Daily Mirror)
– Nottingham Forest are lining up Gus Poyet as they look for a permanent replacement for Dougie Freedman. (Daily Mirror)
– Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hinted Kolo Toure could stay at the club beyond the end of the season. (Daily Express)
– Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere are all reportedly set to sign new deals with the club in the summer. (Daily Express)
– Brendan Rodgers is closing in on a return to management at his former club Swansea City. (Daily Mail)
– Chelsea fear they will lose their highly-rated teenager Dominic Solanke after reaching an impasse over a new deal. (Daily Mail)
– Quique Flores will lead Watford out at Wembley tomorrow with no assurances over his future. (Daily Star)
– American billionaire Larry Ellison has emerged as the front-runner to take over Premier League crisis club Aston Villa in a £100m deal. (Daily Star)
– Rafa Benitez has dismissed criticism of his ‘inhumane’ management style as his improbable bid to lead Newcastle to Premier League safety sees the Spaniard return to Liverpool. (The Independent)
– Everton manager Roberto Martinez has acknowledged that his position will be under serious threat if he fails to improve their fortunes in the next three matches. (The Independent)
– West Brom could make a double swoop on Celtic, with James Forrest and Charlie Mulgrew interesting the Premier League side. (Daily Record)