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Paper Round: Two more years for Arsene Wenger!

Eurosport
ByEurosport

Updated 19/04/2017 at 06:58 GMT

Arsene Wenger is reportedly staying put at Arsenal for two more years, while it's goalkeeper roulette in the Premier League. It's Wednesday's Paper Round.

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Wenger 'almost certain' to sign two-year contract extension

The Mirror reports on Wednesday that under-pressure Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is "almost certain" to sign a two-year contract extension at the end of the season. According to the newspaper, there will be a "major overhaul" at the club, with possible exits planned for goalkeeper coach Gerry Peyton and fitness coach Tony Colbert.
Meanwhile, under the new plans, the club hopes to make high-profile signings such as Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette and Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac.
Paper Round's view: With Wenger's side currently languishing in sixth place in the league - albeit with a game in hand - he could see Arsenal miss out on a place in the Champions League next year for the first time in his 21 years at the club. Many a Premier League manager has lost their job for lesser crimes.
It's a tricky position with Wenger. While many fans still have a lot of love for him, even the most loyal would find it hard to argue that the team has stagnated under him in the past few seasons and it may be increasingly hard to attract the kind of players the club needs, going forward, with Wenger at the helm.
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Terry to become an Eastender?

John Terry's announcement on Monday that he would leave Chelsea after 19 years instantly set the rumour mill in motion, which continued into Wednesday. Though despite Terry's announcement - which had been widely anticipated - of his intention to leave, he said he still had "plenty to offer on the pitch."
Following on from Tuesday's reports that West Brom and Bournemouth were the front runners in the race for Terry, Slaven Bilic appeared to throw West Ham's hat into the ring on Tuesday saying: "Every manager and club would think about him."
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Rumours suggest John Terry could join the Claret and Blue army

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Paper Round’s view: Paper Round maintains the view expressed yesterday - there would be no reason for Terry to continue playing in the Premier League if not at Chelsea - what more could he achieve having won the Champions League, four Premier League titles, as well as five FA Cups and three League Cups at Stamford Bridge?
Terry could command a decent wage in another league, but at 36 he will struggle to keep up with the pace of the Premier League and would struggle to find a salary anywhere near the £200,000 a week he was reportedly offered by MLS side LA Galaxy earlier this year.
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Bravo-ver and out?

The Sun reports that Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo will leave the Etihad this summer following a disappointing first season at the club. Bravo famously usurped former City no.1 Joe Hart last summer, being brought in by Pep Guardiola from Barcelona after dropping from first choice keeper with the Liga giants.
However, a source at City is quoted as having told the newspaper: "Claudio is planning to stay for at least next season. He is now getting to grips with the language to help with the demands of the league. Pep wants to bring in a new goalkeeper, but Claudio has no intention of cutting his losses and running in his first year of his contract."
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Its been a disappointing season for Claudio Bravo at Manchester City

Image credit: Reuters

Paper Round's view: There's no doubt City have struggled defensively this season and it's fair to say Bravo has been part of that. Guardiola is widely anticipated to be ready to shake up his squad this summer and Bravo seems a likely candidate for the axe, but it's harder to anticipate who might replace him.
Though the report suggests Bravo would be happy to hang around and fight for his place at City (and the prospect of continuing to bring in what is no doubt a healthy salary), but bearing in mind his unwillingness to do so at the Camp Nou it will be interesting to see how this one pans out.
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Klopp wants Hart?

And speaking of Joe Hart... The Sun also reports that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is set to sign off on a £20million deal to secure the services of Manchester City's estranged keeper. Hart, who was unceremoniously packed off to Torino last year, will finish his loan spell at the Serie A team at the end of the season.
With two years left on his contract with City, Torino cannot afford to continue to pay the England international's salary, and Liverpool are said to be ready to make an offer to bring him back to the Premier League.
Paper Round's view: The manner in which Hart was thrown under the bus by Guardiola last year makes us suspect there would be no room for a shock return to the Etihad, despite Guardiola's rumoured search for a new keeper. Hart has been linked with Liverpool for a while now, and they're certainly in need of a fresh pair of hands in goal. Simon Mignolet has returned to the starting XI at Anfield after being dropped in favour of last summer's new recruit Loris Karius.
With Leicester City out of the Champions League as of Tuesday evening and returning to focus on their battle to secure safety in the Premier League, perhaps Kasper Schmeichel could be one of the goalkeepers on the move this summer.
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