Bayern ready to step up Sanchez pursuit?

Arsenal's failure to finish in the Premier League's top four for the first time in 20 years has led to renewed speculation about what the future might hold for Alexis Sanchez.

Sanchez has been linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, but reports last month suggested that Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have entered the fray.

Now the Sun says Bayern are set to step up their attempts to bring him to the Allianz Arena, with Chile international teammate Arturo Vidal encouraging them to make a move.

It reports that Sanchez "is reportedly set to leave after the failure to qualify for the Champions League," with the forward having recently been watched by Bayern technical director Michael Reschke.

It adds that Vidal wants the Bayern board "to pull out all the stops" in their attempts to bring him to Bavaria.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper David Ospina could be on his way to Turkey after becoming frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities, the Mirror reports.

Second-choice Ospina, who has two years remaining on his contract, is in talks with Fenerbahce and "is determined to quit, with the club set to sanction a move," it says.

His departure could see manager Arsene Wenger "look for a long-term successor" to Petr Cech, with Stoke's Jack Butland and Sunderland's Jordan Pickford among his preferred options.

Madrid 'to announce Vinicius deal'

La Liga champions Real Madrid will unveil a deal to bring Flamengo teenager Vinicius Junior to the club, the Daily Mail reports.

It says the clubs "had attempted to keep the deal quiet," with a reported €45 million agreement, which means that 16-year-old Vinicius will arrive when he turns 18 in July 2018.

An announcement will be made either Monday or Tuesday, the Mail adds, with Madrid paying two-thirds of a clause in the forward's Flamengo contract.

Vinicius, the top scorer and player of the tournament as Brazil won the 2017 South American Under-17 championship in March, made his senior debut for his club earlier this month.

Leicester and West Brom eye Gibson swoop

Relegated Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson is likely to be in demand in the window and a Midlands duo lead the race to sign him, according to the Mirror.

It reports that Leicester and West Bromwich Albion "have scouted Gibson extensively and are keen," while Stoke could also be interested.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have all been reported to be monitoring the centre-half, but the Mirror says Middlesbrough "are desperate to keep him and value him over £20 million."

Tap-ins

-- With his mission of keeping Crystal Palace in the Premier League accomplished, Sam Allardyce's thoughts are turning to a squad overhaul.

Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda is not part of his plans, according to the Mirror, which reports that Palace "are haggling with Marseille over the price for him to return to the Stade Velodrome."

Mandanda has not featured since November, when he had knee surgery, but the Eagles are set to offer first-choice keeper Wayne Hennessey a new contract.

-- Championship side Bristol City must fill the gap left by the departure of prolific Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham and could turn to Osasuna striker Kenan Kodro to do that, the Bristol Post reports.

Kodro, also reported to be interesting Fulham and Bolton, would cost around £1.5 million and is said to be keen to try his luck in English football.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by CHRIS BORG

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