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Paper Round: Arsenal linked with shock Riyad Mahrez swoop

Tom Adams

Updated 30/08/2015 at 09:08 GMT

Arsenal are going to plug a square hole with a round peg and sign Riyad Mahrez from Leicester, according to the Sunday papers.

Leicester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (C) celebrates after scoring

Image credit: AFP

Arsenal target Mahrez – Leicester City’s fine start to the season has been inspired in large part by the form of winger Riyad Mahrez, who has four goals in as many games. That form has not gone unnoticed, with Paris Saint-Germain linked with the Algerian on Saturday and Arsenal on Sunday. According to the Daily Star Sunday: “[Arsene] Wenger regards him as one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League.”
Paper Round’s view: This would be classic Arsenal, and classic Wenger. In desperate need of a striker, they turn to a tricky, technically gifted and small forward – as if they don’t have enough of those at present. Mahrez has started the season fantastically well but he is not the answer for Arsenal. They need a new centre-forward, not a player who wouldn’t be an upgrade on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
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Berahino still hoping for Spurs move – Despite Tottenham signing Son Heung-min from Bayer Leverkusen for £22m, Saido Berahino still believes he will get his move to White Hart Lane before the window closes. The Sunday Telegraph report: “Despite having two offers for Berahino turned down and seeing West Bromwich Albion reject the 22-year-old’s written transfer request, Spurs could yet resurrect a deal. It promises to be a busy final few days of the transfer window for Tottenham, who are still trying to sign a central midfielder and expect to offload Emmanuel Adebayor, Aaron Lennon and Federico Fazio.”
Paper Round’s view: Son isn’t an out-and-out striker by any means so Spurs are probably still looking to strengthen in that area. The problem is Berahino’s price tag. The Telegraph say a bid of £25m could get the Baggies interested but it seems a lot to pay for the 22-year-old. Daniel Levy doesn’t mind a bit of brinkmanship though, so who knows what will happen in the next few days.
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Manchester City's Sergio Aguero in action with Everton's Seamus Coleman

Image credit: Reuters

Now Bayern want Coleman – Seamus Coleman is a wanted man. Yesterday it was said that PSG were in for the Everton right-back and now the Daily Star Sunday say Bayern Munich are also in the hunt for the Ireland international. According to the paper: “Everton have rejected an inquiry from top French club PSG, but the word from the continent last night was that Pep Guardiola’s Bayern were preparing a bid of £18m. The Daily Star Sunday understands that Coleman has been on Bayern’s radar since the January transfer window.”
Paper Round’s view: Everton might lose John Stones, they may not, but they certainly won’t destroy their back four by selling both Stones and Coleman. A deal for the right-back looks very unlikely at this stage of the window.
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Juventus' Arturo Vidal (L) celebrates with his team mate Paul Pogba after scoring against Atalanta during their Italian Serie A soccer match at Atleti Azzurri d'Italia stadium in Bergamo December 22, 2013. REUTERS/Giorgio Perottino

Image credit: Reuters

Pogba happy to snub Chelsea and wait – Jose Mourinho will be frustrated in his pursuit of Paul Pogba, according to the Sun. Chelsea had been linked with a record deal in the region of £69m for the France international and Juventus star but, says the paper, “the 22-year-old has told pals he is prepared to spend one more season in Italy before Chelsea and Barcelona scrap for his signature. Pogba is obsessed with winning the European Championships on home soil next season and reckons the hosts have a great chance with the likes of Kurt Zouma and Antoine Griezmann breaking through.”
Paper Round’s view: You can understand Pogba’s thinking here. He is in a great situation at Juventus ahead of Euro 2016 – why risk it now for a move to a mid-table club like Chelsea?
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