London Football News

Paper round-up: Spurs and Arsenal linked with Rafinha

The Daily Express have picked up on reports in Spain that Tottenham and Arsenal are among clubs chasing Barcelona midfielder Rafinha.

Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo claimed that the north London clubs and Liverpool are keen to sign the 24-year-old Brazilian.

Liverpool are reported to be willing to offer up to £35m, while Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is said to have made an enquiry.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror say Chelsea’s Eden Hazard or Tottenham’s Dele Alli could be targeted to replace Neymar if he is sold by Barca.

Arsenal are tracking Udinese midfielder Jakub Jankto, The Sun say.

The Czech Republic international, 21, is said to have been watched by Gunners scouts last season and his representative Beppe Riso says the club are interested.

Riso is quoted as saying: “Arsenal like him, he’s a lover of English football. He’s also liked by Juve, Inter and other teams.

“Still, he’s young, he’s 21 years old, he must be calm and he’s only thinking about Udinese.

“After that, we’ll see. Do I see him more in the Premier League than other Leagues? Yes.”

Manchester City are prepared to pay Alexis Sanchez close to the £400,000 per week he reportedly wants, the Daily Mail say.

Speculation over the Arsenal forward’s future has increased after he posted a picture of himself tagged as ‘sick’ on his Instagram account.

The Mail say City want to make Sanchez their highest earner, with a basic wage of £320,000 a week and that bonuses and image rights would take his wages towards the £400,000 mark.

The Daily Mirror declare that Sanchez would be welcome at City with “open arms” after his Gunners future was again apparently thrown into doubt by his Instagram post.

The comment was made by City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, Sanchez’s Chile team-mate, when asked about reports the player could be heading for the Etihad Stadium.

The Mirror say Sanchez, who has a year remaining on his contract and has also been linked with Chelsea and Paris St-Germain, has told friends he wants to leave Arsenal.

He is said to be keen to play under City boss Pep Guardiola and was recently quoted as saying: “I’ve already taken my decision, but now I depend on Arsenal and to see what they want.”

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has repeatedly insisted that Sanchez will not be sold.

And the Daily Telegraph say Monaco are adamant they will not sell Thomas Lemar despite Arsenal making a third bid – of around £45m – for the France midfielder.




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