Thursday

Premier League - Paper Round: Arsenal enter Rooney race

Chelsea have a rival for the signature of Wayne Rooney in Arsenal, Manchester United line up a mega-bid for Gareth Bale and Arsenal make a fresh bid for Luis Suarez - here are the main transfer stories in today's newspapers.


Arsenal to go head-to-head with Chelsea for Rooney: The Guardian reports that Arsenal are set to give Chelsea a run for their money over the signing of wantaway Manchester United strikerWayne Rooney. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has said his club can also afford the England international's £250,000 wages, the paper says, and the fight over him will not necessarily be a one-horse race. Meanwhile The Independent is one of several papers with coverage of the 'war' that Chelsea and United have engaged in over Rooney, with the former club accusing the latter of leaking details -which they got wrong anyway - about their bid for the player.
Paper Round's view: Despite his recent downturn in form, it does seem slightly absurd that just one club would take a punt on Rooney, who still has plenty to give. Arsenal apparently have the cash and with deals over Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez stalling, they still need a striker. Why not have a go? Whether Rooney would agree a move to the Emirates remains to be seen though.
United prepare huge Bale bid: Meanwhile, United are set to make a massive £60 million bid for Tottenham ace Gareth Bale, according to the Daily Mirror. The paper reports this deal is one of the reasons why United's vice chairman Ed Woodward is returning early from their pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia and that a deal for the Welshman would soften the blow of Rooney's exit.
Paper Round's view: An offer for Bale from United is seemingly inevitable, although as a starter bid, £60m appears rather excessive.
Napoli enter Higuain race: Arsenal's efforts to close a deal for Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain have hit a further snag with The Sun reporting that Serie A side Napoli are in negotiations to sign the Argentine striker. Napoli are cash rich following the 64.5million euro sale of Edinson Cavani and the club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed their interest in Higuain, along with Tottenham target Leandro Damiao.
Paper Round: Arsenal better start sealing a few deals or their summer of promise could end up with a rather hollow feeling about it.
Arsenal take pole position on Suarez: Here we go, some more positive dealings from Arsenal, according to the Daily Mirror, with the Gunners ready to test Liverpool's £40m contract clause forLuis Suarez. The paper says a bid of that size will put Arsenal in pole position as fellow suitors Real Madrid have insisted they will not pay over £25m for the striker - and the Anfield club will have to inform Suarez of the offer.
Paper Round's view: There is an argument that Arsenal are chasing too many options - Suarez, Higuain and now Rooney - rather than focusing on one and getting a deal done. However, the coming week promises to see things begin to move.
Meireles attracting Sunderland attention: Former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles has become a target for Sunderland, according to the Daily Mail. The Portuguese, who the paper claims is unsettled at Fenerbahce, is also on Fulham's radar.
Paper Round's view: Paolo Di Canio has already proved he is intent on stamping his own mark on his new squad and Meireles would be a decent addition. And with Fener banned from European competition, Meireles wouldn't be missing out on that front at the Stadium of Light.

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