Paper Round: Chelsea pursuing Alex Sandro as Aubameyang makes ‘desperate’ plea

Chelsea are said to be continuing their pursuit of Juventus full-back Alex Sandro. According to reports, Antonio Conte has been given a “boost” in his efforts to woo the 26-year-old as “a growing acceptance” that his future lies outside Turin is being reached.

Paper Round's view: The Brazilian has long been cited as a target for Chelsea to provide competition for Marcos Alonso, and these are rumours that keep coming back round. Conte will no doubt be leaning heavily on the Chelsea board for movement during the transfer window as Man City edge further away from them.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move to Chelsea in January could be closer than ever after he was quoted by La Gazetta dello Sport admitting he wants to leave Borussia Dortmund. The Gabon international is said to be eager to part company with his club, who are frustrated by the striker’s discipline. However, he will apparently be the target for a number of other clubs – including for previous manager Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Paper Round’s view: You’d think Aubameyang’s behaviour might be something of a red flag to the clubs apparently eying him, still, we’d love to see him pull these kind of tricks with Big Sam Allardyce. Perhaps Klopp knows how to get the best out of Aubameyang.

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Everton are said to have joined West Ham and Southampton in the race to sign Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, according to reports. Walcott has had limited time on the pitch so far this season and looked set to return to former-club Southampton, but The Toffees are now rumoured to be ready to challenge for his signature.

Paper Round’s view: It’s not looking great for Walcott at Arsenal. Despite Wenger having said earlier in the season that Walcott would get his opportunity to shine in the Premier League this season, and saying he hopes the winger will stay with Arsenal, his situation doesn’t seem to have improved much. Everton need a striker post Romelu Lukaku, and Walcott needs games. Whether or not he is that striker is another question...

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Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg hit the headlines for a second time this week after further revelations in historic dubious refereeing. In the same episode of the Men in Blazers podcast in which he admitted he wanted Spurs players to “self-destruct” in their 2016 title-losing match against Chelsea, he also admitted he’d once changed his mind about a decision because he was “petrified” of Roy Keane.

Paper Round’s view: Fair play, Clattenburg. “Man management experience” or no, we certainly wouldn’t have wanted to get on the wrong side of a young Roy Keane, either.

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