Paper Round: PSG move into position to hijack Arsenal's Lacazette bid

Paris Saint-Germain are set to target Alexandre Lacazette, according to the Daily Mail. The report says that the Arsenal target could be on his way to Paris, as new PSG manager Unai Emery has publicly admitted he wants to sign a new striker to support Edinson Cavani. The link in the French press between Lacazette and PSG comes as Arsenal lodged a bid for the Lyon player earlier in the week, and have been monitoring his situation for about a month.

Paper Round's view: Despite the link appearing to be tenuous, there's no doubt that PSG will weigh up their options and consider Lacazette. Arsenal will miss out on another quality attacking asset if they don't act, and there's little evidence to suggest that Lacazette isn't the right fit for Wenger's style of attacking football.

Real Madrid are set to launch a campaign to sign midfield personnel, according to the Sun. The club have decided that Nemanja Matic and Marco Verratti are key targets, after missing out on Paul Pogba by refusing to match United's world record bid for the Juventus midfielder. The list of midfield players Madrid are interested in signing also extends to Newcastle's Moussa Sissoko and Paris Saint-Germain's Blaise Matuidi, as reports out of Spain suggest that manager Zinedine Zidane wants strengthen the side in the middle of the pitch.

Paper Round's view: Quite a list that Madrid have assembled, and it'll be interesting what comes of the players that miss out. Juventus will be in the market for Matic and Verratti, as they require a replacement in midfield for Paul Pogba. It's still unclear if Chelsea will sell Matic, but the number of players that have recommitted to the club and been brought in by Antonio Conte means someone is bound to head for the exits.

Riyad Mahrez has asked for a pay-rise or could leave the champions, according to the Sun. The report says that Mahrez, who is currently also linked to a £40 million move to Arsenal, wants his current deal of £40,000-a-week bumped up to £100,000-a-week in order to stay at the Foxes. Claudio Ranieri expects Mahrez to stay for at least one more season, but also claims that the talks have not affected morale at the club.

Paper Round's view: On last season's performances, Mahrez is worth every cent of what he's asking for. The question is can he back up one of the great seasons from a midfielder in Premier League history? That answer is entirely unclear at the moment, and the onus is on Leicester to weigh up if it's more important to cash in on Mahrez or stay the course.

Manchester City are refusing to meet Everton's fee for wantaway John Stones, according to the Guardian. The report says that City's sporting director Txiki Begiristain does not want to bid higher than £40 million and add on's, leaving the club short of Everton's £50 million valuation of Stones. Talks are ongoing despite the current stalemate, as there is a belief City's hand may be forced due to concerns over the future of Vincent Kompany at the club.

Paper Round's view: This is quickly heading for the stalemate we had last season between Everton and Chelsea for Stones. The player has no intention of staying, but the purchasing club has no interest in paying what they believe to be a premium for the defender. There is a very strong chance we'll be back here next summer to do this all over again.