Atletico close to Alvarez agreement, Tottenham want Solanke – Paper Round

Atletico Madrid are close to agreeing a £70m deal for Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez, the Daily Mail reports. There had been a previous report on Monday claiming Atletico were willing to offer Joao Felix as part of their bid to sign Alvarez from the Premier League champions.

But now it appears a deal structure it close to being agreed, with Alvarez eager to make the move to Spain.

The Daily Mail added: “Alvarez’s departure will represent a record sale for the Premier League champions, eclipsing the £55m Barcelona splashed out on Spanish forward Ferran Torres.

“It leaves Pep Guardiola with a decision to make on whether to replace Alvarez, who featured in more matches than any other City star last term.

“The City boss suggested last week that the club will only dip into the transfer market if one of their current crop moves elsewhere.

“Alvarez chipped in with 36 goals in 103 appearances across two seasons for City and acted as a back up for Erling Haaland while also being deployed as an attacking midfielder.”

Spurs eye Solanke

Tottenham are hoping to strike a deal with Bournemouth below the striker’s £65m buy-out clause, the Telegraph reports. Spurs are keen on signing a new forward and have placed the 26-year-old high on their wish list.

No clubs have come in with an offer to match the clause, but Spurs are hopeful a deal featuring “favourable payment terms” can sway the Cherries.

The Telegraph adds: “Head coach Ange Postecoglou has made it clear that he wants to add a striker to his squad and Solanke is seen as a good fit for his style.

“Solanke scored 21 goals in all competitions for Bournemouth last season and just missed out on a place in England’s squad for the European Championships.

“Heung-min Son top-scored for Tottenham last season, with 17 goals, and played most of the season through the middle. But Postecoglou would like to have the option to move Son back out to the left, where he is arguably more effective, by signing a recognised striker.

“Richarlison scored 11 league goals in a campaign interrupted by injuries and the Brazilian has interest from Saudi Arabia.”

Chelsea lead race for Atletico striker

Chelsea are leading the race to sign striker Samu Omorodion given Conor Gallagher is set to go the other way in joining Atletico Madrid, the Telegraph.

The Blues’ pursuit of Omorodion would not stop their attempts to sign Napoli’s Victor Osimhen as well, providing the club can agree a good deal for both players.

The Telegraph adds: “Atletico may allow Omorodion to leave for around £40m if they can add Julian Alvarez from Manchester City, or another striker, to the signing of Alexander Sorloth, who has joined from Villarreal.

“Should that be the case, then Chelsea will be at the front of the queue for Omorodion thanks to the good relationship struck between themselves and Atletico.

“Chelsea have already seen at least one offer rejected for 20-year-old Omorodion this summer, but remain interested in him and are hopeful that a deal may still be struck following a new round of talks.”

Wan-Bissaka’s Man Utd demands

Aaron Wan-Bissaka wants a big pay-off from Manchester United should they want to offload him this summer, The Sun reports. The defender has 12 months remaining on his current contract, and is unwilling to accept West Ham’s current salary offer.

He could though agree to leave if United are willing to give him some of the £18m West Ham have offered.

The Sun adds: “Wan-Bissaka is open to joining West Ham, but has no huge desire to leave United and is refusing to sell himself short.

“He could bank a huge signing-on fee by staying put and leaving on a free transfer next summer.

“Wan-Bissaka’s representatives are pushing for United to give the player a chunk of the £18m fee they will receive from West Ham in order to get the deal done this summer.”