Lionel Messi asked for a move to the Premier League; Liverpool hope to steal Arsenal target whilst the Gunners have given up on Sami Khedira and are turning their attention elsewhere – plus the other top stories from the papers.

Arsenal approached by Messi : According to the Daily Mail, the football world could have been shocked last season as Lionel Messi approached Arsenal about a potential move to the Emirates Stadium. During discussions over a new contract with the La Liga giants, Messi was said to be unhappy with the terms laid down by Barcelona and reportedly sounded out Arsen Wenger’s men for a potential move. The Mail report that top Spanish website Vozpopuli claims that the Argentina star asked then teammate Cesc Fabregas to talk to his agent Darren Dein about a potential move to Arsenal.

Paper round’s view: The Mail were most certainly right in what they said (with one thing, anyway) – the football world would have been shocked had Messi moved to Arsenal. Of course, the striker eventually put pen to paper on a new deal in May 2014, though it is believed that snag in negotiations was regarding Messi’s wage demands. The Barca star earns £16 million-per-year in wages, but the stand-off reportedly revolved around him wanting to become the highest paid player in the world. Whether there is any truth in the story or not, it certainly makes for some good reading.

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Liverpool swoop for Arsenal target Manquillo: Brendan Rodgers is keen on securing the services of Atletico Madrid full-back Javier Manquillo on a season-long loan. The 20-year-old has been linked with Arsenal, but the Liverpool boss is hoping to acquire the youngster’s signature to provide competition for England right-back Glen Johnson. Manquillo has featured just six times in the league for Atleti in the past two seasons – often playing understudy to Juanfran – but Rodgers has been impressed by the youngster and is reportedly willing to take a chance on the defender.

Paper round’s view: Having come up just short in their bid for Premier League glory last season, Liverpool have made a number of impressing signings in the transfer window thus far, and if Rodgers can bring in Manquillo then that would add even more strength in depth. Despite the young defender’s inexperience, he is regarded as one for the future. Rodgers would be looking to acquire his services on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal which would be a smart bit of business – providing that Arsenal don’t get there first.


Source : https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/premier-league-paper-round-messi-wanted-premier-league-065445461--sow.html

Yes, atleast for once.