Paper Round: Arsene Wenger snubs huge China offer, Jamie Vardy – where have you been?

Tuesday’s back pages are emblazoned with the face of one man – Jamie Vardy. The Leicester striker helped the struggling Foxes down Liverpool 3-1 on Monday night, prompting The Sun to lead with the headline, ‘Where the Fox have you been?’. The forward denied any wrongdoing in Claudio Ranieri’s dismissal, but he looked like a man possessed as he guided Leicester to a first league win of 2017.

Paper Round’s view: It’s a tough situation to analyse. Vardy claims his performance was in response to those who felt he had a part to play in Ranieri’s sacking, but it’s frustrating to watch him play with such fire in his belly when that is exactly what had been lacking since the start of the season. The questions will linger until the end of the season – if they stay up, would Ranieri have saved them anyway? Or were they truly doomed under the Italian? We’ll never know, but a valuable three points is a vital march towards safety for the Foxes.

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Arsene Wenger has turned down a £30m-a-year offer from the Chinese Super League, according to the Daily Mirror. The deal is twice what Pep Guardiola earns at Manchester City, but the paper claims the Frenchman is intent on staying in Europe should his time at Arsenal come to an end this season.

Paper Round’s view: Unless it's about the money, you have to question any manager’s motive for heading to China – something which of course applies to the players too. Wenger still feels like he has plenty to give, and whether that’s at Arsenal or elsewhere, it’s commendable, but not at all surprising, that the Frenchman would want to stay in Europe and compete at the highest level.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not rush into a decision on whether he will remain at Manchester United beyond this season. The Swede’s match-winning performance in the EFL Cup final on against Southampton highlighted the striker’s importance for Jose Mourinho’s United, with his tally of 26 goals keeping them in the hunt for another two trophies and in the Premier League’s top four. The Daily Express reported that Ibrahimovic does not see Champions League qualification as a defining factor, but rather if he feels capable of performing at the top level for another season.

Paper Round’s view: The critics have been answered and now it’s clear both United and the league need Ibrahimovic for another season. He doesn’t dab his way into the headlines, his performances on the pitch do that for him – and it’s clear he still has a lot to offer. Another two trophies could yet come his way, but the temptation of a push for the Premier League next season should surely provide him with enough motivation to stay.

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Andrea Belotti’s stocks continue to rise after the 23-year-old striker netted twice to salvage a point for Torino against Fiorentina on Monday night. The Metro reports that Arsenal scouts were there to witness the striker’s double, while Chelsea are also said to be an interested party. But with a £86m release clause, the striker won’t come cheap.

Paper Round’s view: Belotti’s double seems him move top of the Serie A topscorer standings alongside Edin Dzeko and Gonzalo Higuain on 19 goals – that’s some esteemed company. And at 23, it’s clear the Italian has some serious potential. If Diego Costa leaves for a big-money move in summer, you would make Chelsea favourites to land the striker. Can you really see the Gunners forking out £86m?

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