Paper Round: Arsenal bid £26m for Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi

Arsenal have finally bid £26 million for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, according to the Sun. The report says Arsenal have put in the offer, as manager Arsene Wenger us under increasing pressure to spend and invest in defensive resources. With the Gunners now officially making the move for the 24-year-old, they hope to capture his signature by the end of the summer transfer window.

Paper Round's view: Despite some late chatter that there were other clubs stealthily trying to undermine Arsenal's bid, Mustafi will no doubt end up in London. He's a very good ball player and fits Arsene Wenger's style. The issue is how long will it take to get him there? With every point crucial and Arsenal missing defensive assets in the short term, hopefully there's not many games or points lost in the time it takes to sign him.

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Liverpool are looking to sign Anwar El Ghazi from Ajax, according to the Sun. The report says that Liverpool are looking to replace Sadio Mane, and are set to have competition from Lazio for the wingers services. It is said that the Dutch giants want £15 million for the player, and Liverpool could be an outside chance if Lazio fail to organise a deal.

Paper Round's view: Sadio Mane's injury is a huge blow, as he was looking the goods for Liverpool. El Ghazi is highly-rated and seems to be doing the right things at the moment to ensure long-term success, it's just that Lazio have been working on this deal for a while and could beat Liverpool's last-minute pivot to the winger.

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West Brom manager Tony Pulis has acknowledged Arsenal's interest in Jonny Evans, according to the Daily Mail. Despite no official bid being table as yet, the London club are keen on Evans adding to their defensive depth. While Pulis admits there is interest, he has claimed that no bid for the player will be accepted until West Brom are able to find a suitable replacement.

Paper Round's view: That kind of talk from Pulis suggests things are beginning to accelerate, and don't be surprised if West Brom are searching for said replacement in the often chance Evans hands in a transfer request. With the Mustafi deal still uncompleted, it is good to see Arsenal doing due diligence and lining up a contingency if talks with Valencia fall through.

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Manchester United will allow defender Tyler Blackett to move to Reading, according to the Sun. The report says despite the amount of first-team football the defender picked up under Louis Van Gaal, new manager Jose Mourinho doesn't have the player in his plans and will allow Blackett to leave. Blackett was on loan at Celtic last season, picking up just three starts for the Scottish giants.

Paper Round's view: Players develop in fits and spurts, and for some their best isn't seen until later in their career. Despite Blackett looking like a player who'll never be European elite, he still could be an absolute bargain and eventually a strong pick-up for a Championship team. Once Blackett finds his level, he can then go forward and work on his game with hopes to eventually capturing the eye of Premier League teams again.