MX23RW : Thursday, November 28 12:25:42| >> :60:609:609:

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:
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
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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!