Paper Round: Chelsea target England trio before deadline day

Chelsea want Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater, Alexis Sanchez wants £400k a week, Ronald Koeman would welcome Diego Costa, and Rafael Benitez hints at frustration at Newcastle United. 

Chelsea to sign England trio

Antonio Conte will get the reinforcements he desires if Chelsea can pull off their target of three signings before the transfer window shuts. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is in the last year of his contract and will be sold to raise some cash. Chelsea will gazump Spurs in any bid to Everton for Ross Barkley, and the Blues expect to sign Leicester City's Danny Drinkwater for around £30m, too. 

Everton aim to bring in Costa

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has said he would be happy to welcome, 'good players,' when asked about the possibility of bringing in Diego Costa from Chelsea. The Spain striker wants to join Atletico Madrid, who are serving a transfer ban until the mid-season window. But Koeman would take the 28-year-old on loan as the club are still interested in bringing in another striker. 

Our view: Bringing in Costa may be a difficult task owing to the fact that the player prefers to wait till January to make his desired move to Atletico Madrid. But it would be a great move if Eveton can pull this off. 

City ready £60m Sanchez offer

Manchester City are ready to exploit Alexis Sanchez's wage demands to aid their attempt to sign the 29-year-old Chile international. City have already bid £50m, but will add another £10m to that figure to bring him in before the start of the season. Sanchez has turned down an offer of £300,000 a week from Arsenal, as he wants a figure nearer £400,000 to stay at the Emirates. 

Our views: First it was that City were ready to offer £70m and now its £60m or whatever. In addition they are also ready to pay him £400,000 a week which i think Arsenal can't offer him. Time is not on their side and the earlier City do the needful, Arsenal may be very happy to keep hold of their star man for another season.

Benitez fails to commit to Newcastle

Rafa Benitez has admitted that he is not planning for a long-term stay at Newcastle. He said he was not aiming for a three, four or five year future, and told the press he was unable to bring in players worth even £15m. He said he had expected more from Mike Ashley this summer in terms of funds, and that he is looking for bargains to improve the side before he leaves – 'whenever it is.'

Sour view: With the way things are going at Newcastle, the board are already planing to fail. The league is a difficult one and to remain in it, one has to spend significantly on new recruits. Benitez know its already out of his hands to compete so expect him to walk away when the going gets though.