Paper Round: Bayern Munich want Alexis Sanchez, Mats Hummels snubs Manchester United

The Mirror are reporting that German powerhouse Bayern Munich are after the signature of Alexis Sanchez. The report says that Bayern have been making enquiries about whether Arsenal and Arsene Wenger would be prepared to sell their star forward, and that Bayern are seeking to take advantage of the fact Sanchez has been in poor form recently. The interest comes as Arsenal seek to tie Sanchez down to a new contract, since it's been two years since he came to London for a transfer fee of £33 million.

Paper Round's view: The ball is comfortably in Arsenal's court regarding this issue. There is no way on God's green earth Arsene Wenger allows his prized asset to just up and leave because of some poor form and fitness issues. Bayern will probably have to look elsewhere.

The Sun are reporting Borussia Dortmund's defensive rock Mats Hummels is finalising a £23.5m move to Bayern Munich, at the expense of Manchester United who have been monitoring him for some time. The report says Hummels will likely return to his old club in the summer, after eight years at title rivals Dortmund. Both United and Manchester City were keen on sounding out for a move Hummels, but now appear to be beaten to the punch.

Paper Round's view: That's a fairly big blow to a few Premier League clubs that have been eying Hummels for a while. He's an incredible player, equally physical at the contest and skilled on the ball. Sometimes even the prestige of the Premier League and the riches that come along with it, isn't enough to get a player over the line.

Read the full story

Chelsea's 18-year-old Dominic Solanke is demanding a £50,000 a week contract to stay at Stamford Bridge, leaving the door open for an Arsenal raid according to the Sun. While Arsenal are reportedly not willing to meet the youngster's high wage demands, they're willing to offer him a bigger role within the squad.

Paper Round's view: It's a very bold statement of intent from Solanke. Perhaps he is not worth the wages he's asking for, but his desire for first team football is no different to a lot of Chelsea youngsters. They're mostly loaned out multiple times or have been waiting behind underpeforming first team stars for too long.

Read the full story

Leicester City's former boss Nigel Pearson is closer to landing the job at Aston Villa, as the Mirror report he's had a second round of talks with the Championship bound club. Pearson hasn't been working since his controversial removal from Leicester in June of last year, but remains highly regarded as a candidate as Villa seek to bounce back from their horror year and return to the Premier League.

Paper Round's view: Pearson was responsible for bringing Leicester back into the Premier League with some shrewd scouting decisions and a sustainable style of football, so no wonder he's top of Villa's list. Whether Pearson can go back to the well and recreate that magic is another matter entirely.