Paper Round: Saints adamant Van Dijk won't be sold, Chelsea prepare Llorente bid

It's Monday's Paper Round. Southampton are adamant that Virgil van Dijk will not be sold this summer whilst champions Chelsea are preparing a bid for Fernando Llorente.

Saints adamant Van Dijk will stay

The Telegraph, who report that Southampton are adamant that captain Virgil van Dijk will not be sold this window despite interest from a host of sides including Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. Van Dijk has issued a formal transfer request but Southampton still maintain that there is no chance he will be sold. Steven Davis has said that the door is open for Van Dijk in the dressing room if he stays beyond the end of the window.

 

Our view: This saga has dragged on through the summer and it seems there's no end to it. Lets wait til September 1.

Chelsea prepare Llorente bid

The Independent report that, having beaten Everton 2-0, Premier League champions Chelsea are preparing a bid for Swansea City striker Fernando Llorente. There is a difference over price, with Chelsea prepared to pay around £20 million but the Swans wanting around £30 million, but a deal is more likely as the Welsh team move closer to re-signing former striker Wilfried Bony. 

Our view: Why do Chelsea need Llorente when they have Batshuayi in their books? It will be difficult to keep a group of unhappy people happy if thy can not be guaranteed adequate playing time especially as the world-cup is just less than a year away. All the same Llorente will be a good backup for first choice Morata with so many competitions to play.

Leicester face triple exodus

The Telegraph report that Leicester will face a fight to keep three of their stars before the end of the window. Danny Drinkwater (Chelsea), Riyad Mahrez (Roma) and Islam Slimani (Monaco) are all wanted by Champions League clubs but so far the Foxes have maintained that they will not be allowed to leave, which sounds a lot like Saints earlier on. 

Our view: If all of the three eventually leave Leicester by the end of the transfer window, it will weaken the team considerably. lets hope they don't get to lose all three and if they do, lets also hope they find a replacement in time.

Wimmer set for Stoke medical ahead of £18m move

The Mirror, report that Kevin Wimmer is due in Stoke on Monday to have a medical ahead of an £18 million move from Tottenham Hotspur. Mark Hughes' team have beaten off interest from Crystal Palace and West Brom. 

Our view: Good news for Stoke City's fans. The international break is here and gives clubs more time to conclude theit transfer business. Wimmer needs a fresh start after falling out of favour with Mauricio Pochettino.