Football Paper Round: PSG move into position to hijack Arsenal's Lacazette bid

PSG move in Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette

Paris Saint-Germain are set to target Alexandre Lacazette, according to the Daily Mail. The report says that the Arsenal target could be on his way to Paris, as new PSG manager Unai Emery has publicly admitted he wants to sign a new striker to support Edinson Cavani.

The link in the French press between Lacazette and PSG comes as Arsenal lodged a bid for the Lyon player earlier in the week, and have been monitoring his situation for about a month.

Real Madrid target Nemanja Matic and Marco Verratti

Real Madrid are set to launch a campaign to sign midfield personnel, according to the Sun. The club have decided that Nemanja Matic and Marco Verratti are key targets, after missing out on Paul Pogba and refusing to match United's world record bid for the Juventus midfielder. The list of midfield players Madrid are interested in signing also extends to Newcastle's Moussa Sissoko and Paris Saint-Germain's Blaise Matuidi, as reports out of Spain suggest that manager Zinedine Zidane wants strengthen the side in the middle of the pitch. 

Riyad Mahrez demands Leicester pay-rise

Riyad Mahrez has asked for a pay-rise or could leave the Champions, according to the Sun. The report says that Mahrez wants his current deal of £40,000-a-week bumped up to £100,000-a-week in order to keep the player the Foxes, who is currently also linked to a £40 million move to Arsenal. Claudio Ranieri expects Mahrez to stay for at least one more season, but also claims that the talks have not affected morale at the club. 

City refuse to meet Everton's fee for John Stones

Manchester City are refusing to meet Everton's fee for wantaway John Stones, according to the Guardian. The report says that City's sporting director Txiki Begiristain does not want to bid higher than £40 million and add on's, leaving the club short of Everton's £50 million valuation of Stones. Talks are ongoing despite the current stalemate, as there is a belief City's hand may be forced due to concerns over the future of Vincent Kompany at the club.

Source: Eurosport