Gossip: A new United target; Spurs want Mahrez; Ozil deal

Matt Stead

SERGE OF ENERGY
Jose Mourinho has spoken of perhaps having to lower his expectations of four new Manchester United signings to three. Ivan Perisic is expected to join Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku, but might the Red Devils prioritise the arrival of a new right-back?

The Independent report that Serge Aurier of Paris Saint-Germain has emerged as a target due to the difficulties the club have faced in signing Fabinho. Monaco have proven a particularly tough team to negotiate with this summer, so United are willing to look elsewhere.

Aurier would be available for around £25million – much cheaper than Fabinho – and is also willing to leave the French capital.

The Independent add that Mourinho wants three particular positions strengthening: right-back, on the wing and in defensive midfield. He would also like a new striker. Anything else, Mr Jose?

 

MAHREZ RACE
Tottenham are the only Premier League club yet to sign a player this summer. Their targets have generally been relatively young, inexperienced players. The London Evening Standard throw Riyad Mahrez into the mix.

They claim that Tottenham have entered the race for the Leicester winger, and ‘have asked to be kept informed’ of his situation at the King Power Stadium. Arsenal, PSG and Roma have all been linked recently, but the Foxes’ £50m asking price has proven too much.

That is obviously the case for Tottenham too, as they ‘would not enter the race seriously unless the price dropped substantially’.

Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare said earlier this week that he would prefer for the Algeria international, who scored in a pre-season fixture against West Brom on Tuesday, to stay at the club. For £50m, he will probably get his wish.

 

MESUT AND TIE
It might not be the contract news Arsenal fans are anticipating, but it is a lovely boost nonetheless: The Daily Mail claim that Mesut Ozil will sign a new deal soon.

Matt Barlow writes that the Gunners have offered £280,000 a week to the German, and he is willing to sign.

Ozil had wanted closer to £350,000, but a lack of viable suitors elsewhere, unlike PSG and Manchester City target Alexis Sanchez, could force his hand.

AND THE REST
Barcelona have bid £72m for Liverpool’s Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 25, but the Reds are expected to reject the offer… Midfielder Jack Wilshere, 25, is open to a move to West Ham – if they can agree a fee with Arsenal… Manchester United have still not met Inter Milan’s valuation of Croatian winger Ivan Perisic, 28… Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in 17-year-old Manchester City winger Jadon Sancho… Austria forward Marko Arnautovic, 28, will become West Ham’s highest-paid player following his medical at the London club on Friday… Crystal Palace are planning a new bid for Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, 22, after their opening offer of £16m was rejected.