Paper Round: Arsene Wenger loses backing of players, Liverpool plan late spending spree, Gareth Bale’s future in doubt at Real Madrid

It’s Tuesday’s Paper Round. Liverpool could spend £135m in the final few days of the transfer window, while Gareth Bale’s future at Real Madrid looks bleak. 

Liverpool won’t stop with Keita

Following reports that Liverpool have secured the signing of Naby Keita – a deal which will see the midfielder join from RB Leipzig in 2018 – the Reds are planning to complete the signatures of Thomas Lemar and Virgil van Dijk before the window closes. Both The Sun and the Daily Mail report that Liverpool will step up their £75m pursuit for Lemar – despite seeing two recent bids rejected for the Monaco man – while £70m Van Dijk is no longer off limits, weeks after Liverpool had publicly withdrawn their interest. 

Our view: Liverpool has to leave it late in the transfer window to get their act together. The team seems to be clicking into gear of late and with more addition, Liverpool will be a force to reckon with this season. With or without Philippe Coutinho, the squad for poised to do great things. 

Bale’s Real future in doubt

Gareth Bale’s future at Real Madrid is looking bleak, according to the Express, and this could result in a deadline-day ‘scramble’ for the Welshman’s services. Bale was hauled off by Zinedine Zidane on the weekend after a lacklustre display against Valencia, while Marca ran a column headlined ‘Five days to sell Bale’ on Monday.

 

Our view: Bale is going nowhere this summer. The club president has reiterated this fact before so has the player too when he said he is happy at the club. But due to poor performances in Real's last match, potential suitors might think they have a chance to take him but the end shall tell. Never say never. 

Costa move edges closer

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are close to agreeing a deal for Diego Costa, the Mirror reports. The Spaniard is yet to return to Stamford Bridge as he looks to secure a return to Atletico, but Chelsea have played hard-ball when it comes to negotiations. However, a £30m move is edging closer, and while Atleti are yet to find a club for Costa to play at until January (when their transfer ban is lifted), they may yet look to complete the signature before the window closes anyway.

Our view: Yes Chelsea have no choice but to sell a player who is not on Antonio Conte's plans for the season. The Costa saga has dragged too long till now. Both parties must now find a common ground and get the deal done. But for Atletico, keeping him waiting till January before he can play again is a no brainer. He needs to go on loan so as to get match fitness and be in line to play at the world cup next summer.

Arsene Wenger loses backing of players

The Mirror reports that Arsene Wenger is facing a fresh crisis at Arsenal, with senior players growing frustrated at the lack of change at the club. Following the Gunners’ 4-0 humiliation at Anfield on Sunday, and having signed just Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette this summer, players at the Emirates fear another poor season is on the cards. The uncertain futures of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain have not helped the situation either. 

Our view: Following the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool at the weekend, frustration and panic was expected to set in. Arsenal seems to be in crisis. Fans have lost trust in Wenger long before now and so are several of the players especially those who wants to leave. The board did a bad job by extending wenger's stay at the club. Wengers seems to have lose touche with reality and to set the record straight, he must do the needful before the transfer window closes in few hours time. For sure he is going to lose key players in Sanchez and Chamberlain but who replaces them? If they leave with out a proper replacement expect more woes for the club this season.