Paper Round: Chelsea open Robert Lewandowski talks

The Mirror report that Chelsea have made a move for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski as a possible replacement for estranged Diego Costa. Hailed as one of the world’s greats, Lewandowski netted a massive 43 times for the Bundesliga champions last season. But his 30 league goals put him just behind Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the golden boot, something which is said to have unsettled the 28-year-old, whose agent is quoted by the newspaper as saying Lewandowski felt unsupported by boss Carlo Ancelotti.

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Romelu Lukaku is once again the subject of Wednesday’s back pages as The Mirror report Everton’s star-striker is no closer to a deal with Chelsea. According to the newspaper, Lukaku’s agent Mino Raiola has been in contact with a number of clubs including Manchester United and Bayern Munich regarding the Belgium international, who Everton apparently want £90m for.

Paper Round’s view: It’s not a huge surprise that Lukaku might be taking some time to weigh up his options, not least because his first stint at Chelsea was rather unsuccessful. Nonetheless, it had seemed a foregone conclusion for a while, neatly stepping in to replace Costa, who seems certain to leave. With Lewandowski thrown into the mix, there’s a question over where Everton’s No.10 would fit next to Bayern and Poland’s No.9. If it were a choice between the two, five years Lewandowski’s junior, Lukaku may present the best value for money.

But with reports as they stand, could this be seen as a glimmer of hope for Jose Mourinho, still looking for his big-name striker to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic? According to another story in The Sun, the Special One better get a wriggle on, given his reported self-imposed transfer deadline of July 7.

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The Sun reports that much-hyped Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe has sent Arsenal fans into a frenzy with his social media activity this week. The 18-year-old first came to the attention of apparently every Premier League fan during the Champions League last season and there has been much speculation about his destination this summer. The puzzle has apparently been solved by eagle-eyed Arsenal fans, who the newspaper reports noticed a number of 'likes' by the youngster on Instagram snaps posted by Gunners striker Alexis Sanchez.

Paper Round’s view: Mbappe may have the pick of the bunch this summer if rumours are to be believed, and is touted as a target of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, to name but two. With a reported price of £100m on Mbappe’s head, it seems almost impossible that Arsenal would stump up a record-breaking fee for anyone. Perhaps it’s more likely that Mbappe sees Sanchez as a future team-mate somewhere else…

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The Daily Star reports on Wednesday that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is determined to get a good deal for Kyle Walker, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad. Walker, who ended the season in competition for a starting place on the team, is apparently eager to leave, but Levy will apparently demand £45m for the England International – the top end of his valuation.

Paper Round’s view: Levy playing hardball is nothing new, and he’s in a good position to do so. Though it feels a little mean when Walker seems to be eyeing a move elsewhere from a club that don’t want or value him as he feels he should be, Levy is a businessman. City are in desperate need of solid defensive options, and as an England player, Walker can command an even higher fee.

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