Arsenal draw up striker shortlist as Chelsea face transfer conundrum - Paper Round

The Mirror reports that Arsenal want to sign a striker this summer, and while they are keen on Ivan Toney, there are other options.

Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Pedro Neto, Nico Williams and Martin Zubimendi are all being weighed up as possible reinforcements.

The paper explains: “Arsenal are long-term admirers of Brentford striker Toney who will face The Gunners at the Emirates on Saturday. Toney, 27, will only have one year left on his current deal at Brentford this summer and they are braced for an auction with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham watching developments.

“Brentford’s £80m price tag might be a factor in Arsenal’s thoughts but [Mikel] Arteta was specifically asked whether he could rule out a move for Toney this summer. “I don’t talk about any other player,” said Arteta, side stepping the question. "If not I’ll have to rule out every other player in the market because we’re linked with a lot of players.

“Arsenal are likely to move for a new centre forward this summer despite their remarkable record-breaking run of goal scoring which means they now have a far superior goal difference to title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. But Arsenal’s plans to shake up their forward line have not changed despite Kai Havertz’s impressive form as a false nine.

“The Gunners have also scouted RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres while Wolves winger Pedro Neto and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams are also on their radar. Arsenal remain keen on Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.”

Manchester United need to weigh up Antony’s future at Old Trafford as they look to meet financial regulations.

The Independent believes that unless there is profit somewhere, United will struggle to spend this summer.

The paper writes: “They may face different kind of losses where the second-most expensive signing in their history is concerned. If Antony has been a footballing problem, he is also a Financial Fair Play problem, a player who could impede a new regime’s ability to reshape the squad.

“Because if the recent signs are that even [Erik] Ten Hag may have given up on Antony, long after everyone else did, it is still likelier that any new manager would not want him. But if it is a statement of the obvious that United will never recoup the £85m they paid Ajax in 2022, the reality is that getting anything under £51m this summer would harm their ability to buy. So, in a different way, would keeping him.”

After heavy spending, Chelsea are another side who need to raise funds if they are to avoid punishment.

They lost more than £90 million in their last accounting period, and could be "in breach of profit and sustainability rules".

The Telegraph notes: “Chelsea are facing fresh doubts over their ability to meet profit and sustainability rules after it was revealed that the club made a £90.1 million loss before tax in the 12-month period up to June 30, 2023.

“The latest loss, on the back of the previous year’s £121.4 million loss, was revealed in the accounts of BlueCo 22, the company through which Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly bought Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.

“BlueCo 22, which also owns French club Strasbourg, announced a staggering £653 million loss after tax for the period of March 2, 2022 through to June 30, 2023.

“Chelsea’s latest set of full accounts are yet to be posted, but the £90.1 million pre-tax loss will cause more fears that the club could be in breach of profit and sustainability rules or may have to raise cash through player sales.

“Chelsea, however, remain insistent the club can operate within the Premier League’s PSR and Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules, saying: “The club continues to balance success on the field together with the financial imperatives of complying with Uefa and Premier League financial regulations. The club has complied with these financial regulations since their inception in 2012 and expects to do so for the foreseeable future.”

The Sun reports that Thomas Tuchel would be prepared to come back to Chelsea.

The German left the club two years ago but Todd Boehly has struggled to find an adequate replacement, and he could now return to Stamford Bridge.

“Thomas Tuchel is ready to consider a return to Chelsea this summer,” the paper states.

“The German, 50, was sacked by Todd Boehly in September 2022 just a few months after the American's takeover.

“Tuchel subsequently took over at Bayern Munich last March, but it has already been confirmed that he will be leaving at the end of this season.

“With the former Blues boss set to be out of work, he is said to be targeting a return to the Premier League.

“Tuchel would be open to returning to Stamford Bridge, should he and Boehly be able to settle their previous differences.

“Prior to Tuchel's departure, he and his boss endured a strained relationship.”

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