Paper Round: Everton lead race for Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere is concerned that his latest injury will hamper his chances of a new deal with Arsenal. He has inflamed knee tendons after being called up for international duty with England by Gareth Southgate, but was unable to make an appearance against the Netherlands or Italy. Arsenal have offered him a deal which pays out heavily only when he is fit, meaning that Everton's rival offer could be the the best contract available for him.

Paper Round's view: At 26, Wilshere has one or two more contracts before he has to retire, especially if he is unable to play well into his thirties. He has to make sure that he takes the deal that leaves him financially most secure, so a move to Everton would seem the logical step. The problem that the England international has is that even if he stays fit until the end of the season, his track record is established and Arsenal are unlikely to change their deal.

Arsenal have held talks over the signing of Caglar Soyuncu from Freiburg. The 21-year-old defender has attracted attention from Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Roma over the past year as he has emerged as one of Bundesliga's brightest talents. That has not escaped Arsenal's transfer boffin, Sven Mislintat, and Arsenal are considering a move for the Turkey international, with his club asking for around £30m for his signature.

Paper Round's view: Per Mertesacker is due to retire at the end of the season as he has grown unhappy with football, Laurent Koscielny remains inconsistent, and Shkodran Mustafi is yet to impress. Arsenal need more defenders this summer, and it makes sense to trust Mislintat over potential targets rather than Arsene Wenger, who has been unable to pull off any great success in the transfer market for the last decade or so.

Watford made around £4m in the 2016/17 financial year, but they may yet have to sell one of Richarlison and Abdoulaye Doucoure to keep their heads above water this year. Richarlison and Doucoure have been their brightest stars this season and would be able to attract offers well in excess of £20m, the sum that Watford were able to make when they sold Odion Ighalo to Chinese club Changchun Yatai last season.

Paper Round's view: Ighalo represents the Watford method of finding bargains and then selling them on at a profit, in order to keep the club's finances turning over. They don't have a huge ground so have to rely on player sales in combination with television money for their revenues. Doucoure could raise as much as £40m, with interest from both Manchester United and Liverpool, and Richarlison has been linked with Chelsea throughout the season.

Yesterday there was a story that Manchester City were in negotiations with Gabriel Jesus to extend his contract, and the next player in line for a new deal is Raheem Sterling, ESPNFC reports. The 23-year-old England international has two years to run on his current deal at the end of the season, and City want to extend his contract. He would join a list of players with new deals including Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi.

Paper Round's view: Sterling has 20 goals already this season, as well as 11 assists, as he continues to improve under Pep Guardiola. He should only get better over the next few seasons, and with two years left on his current deal it gives both City and Sterling time to negotiate a new deal without too much pressure and press attention. The only other club who might be able to tempt him away from City are the two biggest clubs in Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona.