Hammers poised to break record for Giroud

West Ham United are set to spend big money on Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, with the Telegraph saying that they are "ready to make the France international the most expensive player in their history."

But whether or not a move goes through will depend on the success -- or otherwise -- of Arsenal's £49  million bid for Alexandre Lacazette.

With the Gunners keen to wrap up a deal for the Lyon forward, manager Arsene Wenger "knows Giroud wants regular first-team football ahead of next summer's World Cup."

The report adds that Arsenal "are likely to be open" to selling him if they can wrap up a move for Lacazette, and says West Ham "would like to make Giroud the attacking centrepiece" of their window business.

The east London club "are understood to be willing to match or even marginally exceed Giroud's £120,000-a-week salary and pay a transfer fee of around £20m," the Telegraph says.

Meanwhile, the London Evening Standard reports that Wenger "is set for showdown talks" about the striker's

City trying to tempt defensive trio

It's set to be a festival of full-backs for Manchester City, according to the Mail, which says they "hope to wrap up deals for three" in the near future.

After widespread reports that Dani Alves is set to link up with Pep Guardiola again the Mail reports that he "is expected to be first through the door after Juventus agreed to cancel his contract."

It adds that Alves "is likely to be second choice behind Kyle Walker, with City having offered £40m for the Tottenham star but Spurs holding out for an additional £10m."

The third in line will be Monaco's Benjamin Mendy, with City hopeful of completing a £40m deal before their preseason tour of the United States next month.

Foxes 'must pay £40m for Sigurdsson'

Leicester City have been strongly linked with Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson -- but they will have to dig deep if a move is to go through, the Leicester Mercury says.

It reports that the Foxes "will have to offer at least £40m to even tempt Swansea into discussing a possible deal" as they look to head off interest in the player from both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Sigurdsson signed a new deal last year, but the Mercury says that if he "indicates he wishes to assess his options then Swansea may be persuaded to accept £40m."

Tap-ins

- The Mirror reports that Liverpool have made their first gambit for unsettled Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The paper says that Jurgen Klopp is a known long-time admirer of the 23-year-old and has made a direct approach to the Gunners to see if he can broker a deal.

- Everton could table a bid for 19-year-old Sheffield United midfielder David Brooks after his starring performances for England at the Toulon Tournament, the Telegraph reports.

Brooks had been set to join Chesterfield on loan as part of the loan deal that saw striker Ched Evans rejoin United, but the Telegraph reports that "the Blades pulled the plug following interest from clubs higher up the Leagues -- including Everton."

- Burnley appear set to land Leeds United left-back Charlie Taylor this week. The Burnley Express reports that the Clarets have agreed personal terms with the 23-year-old, whose contract at Elland Road expires on July 1.

- Liverpool are ready to say farewell to Lazar Markovic and have offered Watford the chance to sign him, according to the Mirror.

It says winger Markovic "is available for £12m, with the Reds ready to take an £8m hit on the 23-year-old" who could rejoin Watford boss Marco Silva. Silva took him to Hull on loan last season but faces competition from Zenit St Petersburg and Galatasaray.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by CHRIS BORG

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