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Paper Round: Costa sets Chelsea up for frantic summer, Wenger likely to stay

Pete Sharland

Updated 29/05/2017 at 07:37 GMT

Chelsea are set for a frantic summer as they bid to defend their Premier League title and it will be sparked by Diego Costa. Meanwhile Arsene Wenger is likely to stay with Arsenal. It's Monday's Paper Round.

Diego Costa of Chelsea during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2017 in London, England.

Image credit: Getty Images

Costa to spark frantic Chelsea summer

We start with The Telegraph, who report that Chelsea could be braced for a frantic summer which could be sparked by Diego Costa. The striker has given fresh quotes hinting at a desire to return to Spain. There is reportedly a feeling that Costa would push to leave if Chelsea signed another top-class striker but he is no longer keen on a move to China, which could se Chelsea pocket less money if they decide to sell. Whilst the Blues are keen on Virgil van Dijk, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alexis Sanchez and Romleu Lukaku there could be as many as nine players leaving. John Terry has been confirmed as leaving whilst Asmir Begovic is close to a move to Bournemouth. There's also uncertainty over the futures of Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fàbregas, Michy Batshuayi, Nathan Aké, Kurt Zouma, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy and Ola Aina.
Paper Round's view: It's been reported quite widely that Costa is very changeable when it comes to his mood and his future and you only have to try and follow the news cycle for a few weeks to come to the same conclusion. If Costa is going to reject a move to China that's a big blow to Chelsea financially but they could raise more with sales of some of the other players mentioned above. Chelsea were fantastic this season, but they really do need strengthening given they'll have Champions League football next season.

Wenger likely to sign new two-year deal with no director of football

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is likely to stay on and sign a new two-year contract with the club, according to various reports on Sunday evening. These reports also add that Wenger will stand up to the board and get his wish that no director of football is appointed, with the club instead agreeing to make a more general backroom appointment.
Paper Round's view: The FA Cup triumph seems to have been the vindication that Wenger needed to stay and it certainly gives him more power when it comes to negotiating with the board. If he can galvanise that sort of performance out of his players more often next season his decision will certainly be justified.

City confident of beating United to Mendy

After signing Bernardo Silva Manchester City are edging closer to securing the transfer of Benjamin Mendy from Silva's old club Monaco. City are going to pay around £38 million according to The Express and are believed to have beaten off interest from rivals Manchester United.
Paper Round's view: This comes as reports are emerging that City are in talks to sign Ederson from Benfica. Fair play to City and Pep Guardiola for getting their business done so early.

Terry urges Chelsea to spend

Not for the first time in his career Chelsea captain John Terry has issued a warning to the club that they have to spend big in the transfer market. Speaking after the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal Terry pointed to Manchester CIty moving quickly to sign Bernardo Silva and stressed that the Blues can't rest on their laurels after winning the league.
Paper Round's view: It isn't often the case that you'll hear Paper Round saying this but John Terry is right. Chelsea need additions to cope with the added games next season. After winning the league in 2015 they got complacent, amongst other things, the same can't happen again.
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