Paper Round: Manchester City to bid £40m for Jack Wilshere

‘City to move for Arsenal’s Wilshere’ – Manchester City will launch a stunning £40 million bid for Jack Wilshere if Paul Pogba rejects a move to the Etihad, according to a report in the Daily Star. It is understood Al-Mubarak is willing to double Wilshere's wages to around £150,000-a-week and is confident of luring him to the big-spenders. The England ace came through the ranks at the Gunners and admits he is reluctant to leave the club, but City believe that if the right money is offered then they could land the midfielder over the summer in a big move.

Paper Round’s view: Wilshere, who plundered two stunning goals in England's thrilling 3-2 win in Slovenia last weekend, has repeatedly insisted that he wouldn't go to City to make up the numbers and help them meet UEFA rules over home-grown stars, but then other Arsenal players have said similar things in the past. City reportedly believe they can convince Wilshere, who has recently changed agents, that he will become an integral part of Pellegrini's side and someone the Chilean can rebuild his team around. Whether or not that’s true will soon become clear.

‘Liverpool want to sign Firmino’ - Liverpool are weighing up an 11th-hour attempt to hijack Manchester United’s capture of Roberto Firmino, according to the Daily Mirror. The exciting Brazilian star has indicated he will move to the Premier League next season , and talks are now at an advanced stage with the Old Trafford club. But the Reds have monitored the 23-year-old’s situation closely, and now boss Brendan Rodgers is considering outbidding their rivals.

Paper Round’s view: Liverpool are obviously keen to sign a goalscoring midfielder to replace departing skipper Steven Gerrard, and Firmino appears to fit the bill perfectly. He is a full Brazil international – currently in action at the Copa America – and in five seasons in Germany has scored 49 goals in 153 games. He has also scored three times for Brazil in his seven appearances. The question is more whether Liverpool can offer him what he wants compared to rival clubs as he’s clearly very much in demand.

‘Arsenal in fresh bid for Carvalho’ – Arsenal have tabled a fresh £28.5million bid for Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho, according to a report in The Sun. Arsene Wenger’s side have already seen a £20m offer rejected for the 23-year-old but Sporting need the cash and are likely to accept Arsenal’s fresh approach, as long as add-ons are offered. The Gunners could get their man if they stump up a further £8.5m in add-ons to trigger the Portugal midfielder’s £37m release clause.

Paper Round’s view: Carvalho, who has played 13 times for Portugal, is currently with their Under-21s at their European Championships in the Czech Republic. He was one of the stars of the show as they beat England’s 1-0 in their Group B opener on Thursday. Manchester United are also said to be keeping tabs on Carvalho, who will not come easily for Arsenal with so much competition for the player’s signature. It certainly makes sense as a move for Wenger, who should definitely target the Angolan-born anchorman to strengthen his midfield.

‘PSG to beat Chelsea to star’ – Paris Saint-Germain have made a £28.5million bid for Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, according to a report in the Daily Express. Griezmann was heavily linked with Chelsea earlier in the transfer window but the French forward has a £43 million release clause in his contract that Chelsea are unwilling to meet. PSG are now ready to test Atletico's resolve to keep the 24-year-old and could move for him as early as next week in order to land their target.

Paper Round’s view: It has been widely reported that the French giants only have money for one big-name signing this summer due to Financial Fair Play rules and Griezmann could now be that man as long as Chelsea aren't spurred into action by PSG's supposed move. PSG have previously been linked with a move for Manchester United's Angel Di Maria or Juventus star Paul Pogba, but Griezmann would appear to make a lot of sense for them as a genuine attacking threat and a player who is understood to be keen to move on in his career.