Paper Round: Inter Milan to bid for Sadio Mane, Samir Nasri to join Mario Balotelli at Nice

It's Tuesday's Paper Round... on OlomoInfo Blog. Today's papers are reporting that Inter Milan are preparing a £35 million bid for Sadio Mane whilst Samir Nasri could join former team-mate Mario Balotelli at Nice. 

Inter to bid for Mane

The Express report that Inter Milan are planning a bid of £35 million for Liverpool forward Sadio Mane. Inter have big financial backing and are keen to keep up with rivals AC Milan and Juventus. It is currently unclear whether or not Liverpool would entertain any bid for Mane but it is believed he is a vital part of Jurgen Klopp's plans.

 

Our view: If at all Inter makes the bid, it's dead on arrival. By the way who cooked up this story? Klopp has made it clear this season that he wont sell any of his top players and that includes Philippe Coutinho no matter the prize. If Inter really wants Mane, maybe and i repeat maybe for £100 million and not the meagre £35 million. Who wants to leave a team like Liverpool to a team who is not even in the champions league. More over the player looks more settled in England. Please next story! 

Nasri could join Balotelli at Nice

The Mail reports that Samir Nasri could leave Manchester City and join former team-mate Mario Balotelli at Nice. City reportedly want a fee of £10 million for Nasri who has two years left on his deal and has been told by Pep Guardiola that he is free to leave.

 

Our view: Nasri definitely don't have a future at City under Giardiola. He has featured in almost all of City's preseason games so far, maybe it's intended to attract potential suitors for the player. Nice will not be a bad destination as it will help him reunite with former teammate in Balotelli. 

Arsenal spending held up by current players

The Mail says Arsenal are reportedly keen to keep spending, with Thomas Lemar the top target, but they are being delayed by their current players refusing to take pay-cuts to move on. Jack Wilshere, David Ospina, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Lucas Perez, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy have reportedly all been told they can leave but they won't take a cut in their wages. Arsenal also want to sign Jean Michael Seri.

 

Our view: This is where giving players big pay contracts comes in. When they can no longer perform at the top level or you don't need them anymore, it becomes a problem to get them off the books. Even loaning them out still cost the club. I think managers and clubs should learn from this. The best is let their contracts run out and they leave for free. 

Everton plan three more signings

The Mirror reports that Everton are planning three more signings despite all their activity already in this transfer window. They are reportedly close to signing Gylfi Sigurdsson as well as targeting a striker (with Olivier Giroud and Christian Benteke both of interest) and a defender as well.

 

Our view: Certainly Everton has had a very good summer. But they lost a top striker in Lukaku and replacing him will not be easy. Giroud or Benteke? Beneteke looks the best option. We know Koeman wants to do well in Europe this season and also to secure European football next season but spending over 200 million pounds seems like a desperation. Sigurdsson has been a player Koeman think can help protect his midfield this season but spending as much as 50 million pounds on the player seems absurd especially for a club like Everton.