Paper Round: Russia to be banned from Rio altogether, Arsenal want Mahrez and Lacazette for £75m

The Daily Mail report that all Russian athletes will be banned from competing in this summer's Olympic Games - not just the track and field competitors. That means 387 people will have their sporting dreams crushed very soon - unless they can demonstrate that they are completely clean, and then they might be able to compete without country affiliation, just like whistleblower Yuliya Stepanova.

Paper Round's view: It seems excessive from the outside - after all, there aren't scores of gymnasts and archers and equestrians recording positive drug tests - but the IOC are clearly wanting to make an example of Russia. Taking a step this drastic, and meting out a collective punishment that impacts on the whole of Russian sport, is their solution. However, Russia won't meekly accept a decision like that - expect uproar and appeals.

Arsenal are lining up a £75million double deal for Riyad Mahrez and Alexandre Lacazette, according to the Mirror.

Manager Arsene Wenger wants to add more firepower to his forward line after a lack of goals cost them in the Premier League title race last season.

Paper Round's view: With our Eurosport France colleagues reporting that a deal with Mahrez could come off, and Wenger saying that his team are very "active" in the transfer market still, this would not be a surprise at all. After all, we know they have the money!

Before he was appointed as England manager, Sam Allardyce was seriously considering quitting football altogether, reports the Daily Mirror. Managing Sunderland during their latest relegation battle had taken its toll - and had they gone down, he would have walked off into retirement, according to those close to him.

Paper Round's view: Well, you couldn't blame a 61-year-old man for considering retirement after a lengthy and stressful career in football management. It does raise the question of how happy he's going to be under the microscope and the pressure of the England hot-seat, though.

Everton have agreed a £25million fee with Zenit St Petersburg for Axel Witsel, according to the Daily Mail.

New manager Ronald Koeman is waiting for the Belgian to commit to the deal after the midfielder told the Russian club that he wants to leave.

Paper Round's view: With Zenit's coach Mircea Lucescu saying that the player has two offers from England it is not surprising that one of them is from Everton. They need reinforcements in the holding midfield role. After all, Gareth Barry can't go on forever!

Tony Adams has turned down the offer of managing Arsenal's youth side - and headed off to China. He'll lead Chongqing Lifan's academy having agreed contractual terms this week.

Paper Round's view: It's another blow for Arsene Wenger after Thierry Henry called his bluff and walked away from the club rather than abandoning his media punditry. Arsenal like to have their ex-players involved in their youth set-up to ensure continuity, but Adams is looking for career development. It's a challenging role - Chongqing Lifan aren't rolling in cash - and might well be his best move, no matter how much it annoys Arsenal fans.