Paper Round: Arsenal in crisis as Manchester City send delegation to seal Alexis Sanchez deal

It’s Thursday’s Paper Round and it's the last day of the summer transfer. Arsene Wenger was reportedly scrabbling for reinforcements as Man City launched a last-gasp bid for Alexis Sanchez on deadline day. 

Guardiola sends delegation to Chile for last-ditch Sanchez bid 
Arsenal’s 2017 annus horribilis could be set to continue into this season if Thursday’s reports are to be believed. Having apparently had a £50 million bid for Alexis Sanchez turned down earlier this week, Manchester City are ready to make a £70m swoop on deadline day, believing that their time to nab the 28-year-old is now. Reports on Wednesday night suggested Pep Guardiola is determined to sign Sanchez this summer, in case he ends up leaving the club for free next year. So much so, that the former Barcelona boss was said to have sent a delegation to Santiago where Sanchez is currently on international duty with Chile. 

Our View: He leaves. 

Wenger scrambles for last minute replacements

Arsenal therefore faced something of a quandary on Wednesday night, just 24 hours from the transfer deadline as Wenger reportedly frets over finding a replacement. With fans already baying for the Arsenal manager’s blood following a humiliating defeat at Anfield last Sunday, Wenger was reportedly ready to block a move by Sanchez unless he could secure the signing of Paris Saint-Germain’s 23-year-old winger Julian Draxler. 

Our view: We have been here before, we know how it will end. Sanchez is sure to eave for City today. Whether or not Wenger finds a replacement for departing players, he should be blamed for the clubs woes. Finding a replacement on deadline day when he knows Sanchez was eager to leave since the beginning of the summer is out of this world. I hope he is ready to fork out the cash. 

Arsenal might go for Johnny Evans 

It’s not all doom and gloom in North London though with Arsenal said to be favourites to capture West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans, however. The 29-year-old has been on the radar of a number of clubs this transfer window, according to reports, with Leicester City reportedly having a £21m bid rejected in the last few days and even Guardiola himself on the case. 

Our view: Out of nowhere in the summer, Johnny Evans looks the player every top clubs wants. I see why Tony Pulis is demanding so much for him. With this bidding war from City, Arsenal and Leicester City, it is certain, Evans will find a new home after Thursday night. But where will be go? Arsenal seems to have lost their way by leaving it late to identify a target just the same time key team member in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanchez are looking for new life else where. Sorry Gunners fans. 

Spurs and Chelsea lock horns over Llorente 
Spurs are said to be hoping to add to their flurry of late-signings on deadline day by making a move for Swansea striker Fernando Llorente. According to reports on Thursday, Mauricio Pochettino is keen to find support for Harry Kane, but they’ll have to fight off Chelsea. Llorente has been on Antonio Conte’s radar for a while so say reports, having worked together at Juventus, and looked likely to sign him for a fee of £15m says The Sun, until now. 

Our view: Suddenly Llorente finds himself at the centre of a bidding war between two top London clubs. Definitely he is spoilt with option but which of the clubs will offer him more playing time? Spurs have the undroppable Kane while Chelsea have Morata. He is 32 and at the tail end of his career but sitting on the bench till he gets an opportunity to play will not be in his best interest. But since he desires the move, Chelsea looks the best choice for him.