MX23RW : Saturday, January 4 11:06:45| >> :120:4052:4052:

Wednesday's paper talk: Nicolas Pepe, Marcel Sabitzer, Raphael Varane

Nicolas Pepe's headbutt against Leeds could be the Arsenal player's undoing.

What the papers say

Speculation about the future of Nicolas Pepe will grow after The Times reported the winger will meet with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Wednesday. The out-of-favour player's woes worsened when he was sent from the pitch for headbutting Leeds' Ezgjan Alioski during Sunday's goalless draw in the Premier League. His club boss publicly called the behaviour "unacceptable", prompting an apology from the 25-year-old. But the subsequent meeting with the Gunners boss will only add to fears about the long-term prospects of the Ivory Coast international, who was signed from Lille in 2019 for a club-record £72million fee, on a five-year contract.

Yusuf Yazici has certainly impressed at Lille, for whom he has scored 10 goals and provided six assists across 38 appearances. The Turkish midfielder's agent has said he is keen on a big move out of Ligue 1 and the Daily Star reports Arsenal are one of the clubs keen to secure his signature.

RB Leipzig v Tottenham Hotspur – UEFA Champions League – Round of 16 – Second Leg – Red Bull Arena
Marcel Sabitzer has turned heads for RB Leipzig and Austria (John Walton/PA)

The Manchester Evening News quotes former Premier League striker Jan Aage Fjortoft as saying Manchester United are interested in Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer. The 26-year-old has impressed for RB Leipzig and for his country, having scored his eighth international goal in September away to Norway in the Nations League.

United's pursuit of another target has been dealt a significant blow, according to The Sun. The Red Devils have chased France centre-back Raphael Varane since 2011, but the 27-year-old's manager at Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane, has now said the player is untransferable. The former France midfielder did acknowledge, however, that "we can't stop people from talking".

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Thiago Silva: Italy's Tuttomercato reports that the 36-year-old defender is in talks about the possibility of extending his contract at Stamford Bridge until 2022.

Isco: The Real Madrid playmaker, 28, wants to leave Spain, according to national outlet La Cadena Ser, and has previously been connected with a switch to the Premier League.

ID:423680: cacheID:423680:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5977:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi pictured on November 7, 2020
Read Next:
Friday's papers: Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola, Olivier Giroud
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!