Paper Round: Man United boss Jose Mourinho decided against now-Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette

It’s Tuesday’s Paper Round and the papers are reporting that Alexandre Lacazette was not for Jose Mourinho’s liking, while the Manchester United boss has his eyes on another Chelsea target.

Lacazette not for Jose

Jose Mourinho was advised against bringing Alexandre Lacazette to Manchester United after the club’s scouting team determined that the striker had “no physical impact” and is not a “big game player”. This from a United source, as quoted in the Express and Daily Star, while the Guardian have also run with the story. It comes the day after United signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton, while Lacazette moved to Arsenal last week. 

Our view: Probably United may have well analyzed the French man before concluding he was not the best choice for Mourinho. This is where Lacazette will have to prove his doubters wrong as a big game changer. The league is only a month from now, lets see what happens then. 

United aim for another Chelsea target

Having snatched Romelu Lukaku from under Chelsea’s noses, United are now hoping to beat the Premier League champions to the signing of Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Times claim that talks between Chelsea and Bakayoko are dragging on, leading United to make a late enquiry – where they've indicated that they would be willing to trump the offer of £35m currently on the table.

Our view: This story have been making the rounds for some time now. It may be the papers who are instigating such claims after seeing United snatch Lukaku from Everton under their nose. Going for another Blues target will not go down well with Chelsea so they need to swiftly move in for Bakayoko before he goes the way of Lukaku.

Costa to stay and fight

Meanwhile, Diego Costa is reportedly willing to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place, despite being deemed surplus to requirements by Antonio Conte. The Blues boss had advised the striker that he will not feature in his plans for next season, but now the Express report that Costa is ready to overcome their differences, particularly as the Spaniard would be able to play for Atletico Madrid – the only move Costa desires - after their transfer ban is lifted in January. 

Our view: If Costa play for Chelsea this season he would become cup-tied for the Champions League when he finally make the move to Atletico in January which could make the move very unlikely. But you never know, anthing can happen. For now he is still a Chelsea player. 

Arsenal slaps £90m on Sanchez...

...Or else he’s staying. According to the Independent, Arsenal will not consider a bid lower than £90m for Alexis Sanchez. Having just signed Lacazette, Arsene Wenger is determined to keep his big-name players at the Emirates. Sanchez is top of that list, and though it is believed Sanchez wants a move to Manchester City, Wenger is unwilling to sell the Chilean to a title rival unless it’s for a big sum. 

Our view: This is crazy. We know Arsenal don't want to sell to a rival but £90 fee is out of the question. Expect this to drag on.