Manchester United stunned as Chelsea win race for Barcelona winger Pedro
Zlatan reports 'alert United & Arsenal'
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reportedly been told he can leave Paris Saint-Germain - with the news likely to interest Arsenal and Man United.
United and Arsenal have both reportedly been tracking the Sweden forward, but he was expected to stay in PSG this summer.
However, reports on Tuesday suggested PSG could look to cash in on the mercurial forward now - he turns 34 in October - with just a year left to run on his current contract.
At the end of July, the Swedish striker claimed that his next move would shock people: "Where I go next, it will be a surprise, a very big surprise."
Since then, Ibrahimovic has reiterated his happiness at PSG, but reports now suggest that the club are prepared to let him go on a cut-price deal, and have told Ibrahimovic that he is free to leave.
Zlatan is currently injured, with PSG manager Laurent Blanc reporting that "'Zlatan is following his recovery programme, he is still not 100 percent healed yet." The hope was that he would be fit for the club's next league game, but it is unclear what reaction this latest set of rumours will cause.
The Daily Mail today makes the obvious connection that both Arsenal and Manchester United are in desperate need of firepower or support for existing strikers. There is no doubt that, despite his age, Ibrahimovic would provide a significant boost for both clubs.
The next fortnight could be very interesting indeed.
Ibrahimovic has scored 75 goals in his 91 appearances since joining PSG three years ago.
Verratti open to Premier League move
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti has hinted at a move to the Premier League, which has reportedly alerted Arsenal and Manchester United.
Reports emerged earlier this summer that the 22-year-old Italian was open to leaving the Ligue One champions but, although he is currently happy playing at the Parc des Princes, he has not ruled out moving to England later in his career.
"You never know what can happen in the future," he told reporters.
"I’m doing well where I am and I’m not thinking about changing clubs.
"I’ll begin to consider leaving on the day that I no longer feel good at PSG or when the club decides to sell me.
Verratti, who came through the ranks with Italian side Pescara, also insisted money would not be the key motivation behind a transfer when questioned about potential destinations.
"England, Spain and a return to Italy are possible options. The project is the most important thing."
Arsenal fans have been pining for a new holding midfielder to protect the defence in every transfer window that passes, but the Gunners are expected to face competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan when the race begins to sign him.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are currently well stocked despite having lost Angel Di Maria to Paris-Saint Germain this summer. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin were high-profile additions to the midfield which also includes Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini, who is yet to feature in the Premier League this season due to a suspension carried over from United's last domestic campaign.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are currently well stocked despite having lost Angel Di Maria to Paris-Saint Germain this summer. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin were high-profile additions to the midfield which also includes Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini, who is yet to feature in the Premier League this season due to a suspension carried over from United's last domestic campaign.
Mertesacker: Talks got us back on track
Per Mertesacker has revealed clear-the-air talks helped Arsenal kick-start their Premier League campaign with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
The Gunners delivered the desired response from defeat on the opening day at home against West Ham with a solid performance against the Eagles on Sunday afternoon.
After taking an early lead through Olivier Giroud's fine acrobatic volley, Arsene Wenger's side were pegged back by a 25-yard strike from Palace defender Joel Ward.
Arsenal weathered the storm to regroup after Palace hit the woodwork at the start of the second half and went on to restore their grip on the game when Alexis Sanchez's header was deflected into his own net by Palace captain Damien Delaney.
Mertesacker, who again captained the side at Selhurst Park with club skipper Mikel Arteta on the bench, was heavily critical of the squad's collective below-par performance against the Hammers.
The German centre-back admitted there had been some stern words at London Colney this week, which helped the players regain their focus, and victory lifted the mood ahead of the visit of Liverpool next Monday night.
Asked if he felt there had been a need to address the team's shortcomings directly, Mertesacker said: "Obviously when everything goes very smooth in pre-season, you avoid those talks which are sometimes very important.
"That (the need for those talks) was the case last week when we came out of the (West Ham) match where no-one knew exactly what we did, so we just had to come back to our game.
"You could already feel something when you are in the relegation zone (in the table), and not having (produced) in that (West Ham) game what everyone expected from you, so it was important to bounce back.
"Against Palace, it was good possession, to play the ball through the midfield and penetrate them.
"Later (in the game) we made it difficult for ourselves, but overall it was a very encouraging performance from top to bottom.
"We were dominant and that was the key to our success.
"We were good on the break, good in the combinations, there is a lot more to come from us, that is what we need, that is our game and we need to count on that."
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Reports – Man United table £60m bid for Germany striker Thomas Muller
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Reports – Man United table £60m bid for Germany striker Thomas Muller
Manchester United have lodged a £60m bid for Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, according to reports in Germany.
Muller has been on Louis van Gaal's radar all summer but the United manager looked set to land Barcelona's Pedro instead.
However German newspaper Bild are reporting that United's pursuit of Pedro has not prevented them from offering a staggering £60m for the World Cup winner.
Reports have suggested that Arsenal enquired about Muller's availability earlier this summer but were told that he was not for sale.
But that has not stopped United from testing Bayern's resolve to hang on to the German, who is under contract until 2019.
Van Gaal is in the market for a new central forward following the departure of Robin van Persie and the uncertainty surrounding the future of Javier Hernandez. Should the Mexican leave, that would leave Wayne Rooney and James Wilson as the only out-and-out strikers.
And the former Holland manager reckons Muller, still only 25, could fit the bill and has now reportedly opened the bidding.
Chelsea have stunned Manchester United by sealing a deal for Barcelona forward Pedro.
United have been chasing the World Cup winner all summer and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been in advanced talks with the Spanish club this week over a deal.
However, Woodward's reluctance to meet Pedro's £22million buy-out clause opened the door for Chelsea to make a late move.
And the Premier League champions have moved quickly to wrap up a deal after agreeing to pay the £22m fee.
The 28-year-old has already agreed personal terms with Jose Mourinho's side and is in London to undergo a medical before putting pen-to-paper.
Losing out on Pedro's signature to their Premier League rivals will come as a huge blow to United boss Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal had targeted the Spain international as the ideal replacement for Angel di Maria, but will now have to turn his attentions elsewhere.
Gossip: Pedro battle; Arsenal to miss out
Chelsea to move for Pedro, Fenerbahce tracking John Terry, and Arsenal to miss out on a striker are among Wednesday's top newspaper stories.
CHELSEA TO MAKE PEDRO BID
Sack Race: Mourinho backed for the axe
Dick Advocaat remains the bookmakers' favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave, but Jose Mourinho has been backed into 10/1.
It was on December 27 when we witnessed the first Premier League casualty of last season after Crystal Palace dismissed Neil Warnock, but with the stakes increasing every year, could we be braced for an early departure?
1. DICK ADVOCAAT (Non-Mover)
Another defeat for Sunderland, this time at home to newly-promoted Norwich, leaves Advocaat as short as 10/11 with at least one bookmaker to be the first Premier League manager to leave his post this season. Amid reports he has been told there is no more money available for signings, could the Dutchman even walk?
2. JOSE MOURINHO (↑15)
A 50/1 outsider this time last week, the Chelsea doctor row combined with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Manchester City has led to the odds being slashed on Mourinho leaving his post following a string of bets. He's as short as 7/1 with one bookmaker.
= QUIQUE FLORES (NM)
Watford followed up an impressive opening-day draw at Everton with another stalemate, this time against West Brom at Vicarage Road, yet the bookies still have little faith in the Hornets' board to stick with Flores, who is 7/1 to be the first manager to leave.
4. SLAVEN BILIC (↑3)
West Ham claimed the result of the opening weekend, winning 2-0 at Arsenal, but a surprise 2-1 defeat to Leicester at Upton Park on Saturday has seen the odds on Bilic being the next boss to leave reduced to as short as 10/1.
5. TIM SHERWOOD (↓2)
The odds on Sherwood being the next Premier League manager to leave have been cut from 14/1 to 11/1, but several teams suffered worse results than Aston Villa over the weekend, seeing Sherwood actually slip down the list.
6. MAURICIO POCHETTINO (↑5)
Another manager on the move is Pochettino (12/1) after Tottenham blew a two-goal lead against Stoke. The Argentine substituted Harry Kane with the score still at 2-0 but had no striker to bring on in his place - addressing that lack of strength in attack may hold the key to the Spurs manager's future.
= TONY PULIS (↑1)
Pulis (12/1) will no doubt have been happy with a clean sheet and point on the road, but not every West Brom fan shares his view. And should Albion get taken over, how will the new owners view the manager's pragmatism.
8. BRENDAN RODGERS (↓5)
As short as 8/1 going into Bournemouth game, Rodgers has seen his odds drift to as short as 14/1 on the back of two successive victories, albeit by not very big margins. As one of just four managers with a 100% start to the season, though, you can be sure his odds will tumble again once Liverpool lose the winning habit.
=. ALEX NEIL (↓1)
Norwich maintained their incredible away record under Neil at Sunderland on Saturday, yet the Scot is still as short as 14/1 with one bookmaker to be the next Premier League manager to leave. Most, however, have him at a more realistic 25/1.
10. CLAUDIO RANIERI (↓2)
Another win for Leicester, this time at West Ham, sees Ranieri (16/1) fall down the list as the Italian goes about proving wrong his doubters.
= ROBERTO MARTINEZ (↓5)
Also looking safer this week is Martinez (16/1) after Everton bounced back from a disappointing home draw against Watford on the opening weekend to rout Southampton 3-0 at St Mary's.
= STEVE McCLAREN (↑6)
Another at a best price of 16/1 is McClaren after Newcastle were beaten 2-0 at Swansea on Saturday.
13. MANUEL PELLEGRINI (↓3)
Pellegrini has recently signed a one-year contract extension at Manchester City and on Sunday led them to a mightily impressive 3-0 win over Chelsea to make it two wins out of two so far this season. The Chilean, however, is still a surprisingly short 20/1 with one bookmaker to be the next Premier League manager to leave.
14 EDDIE HOWE (↓4)
As short as 16/1 going into Liverpool game, Howe has now seen his odds tumble to 22/1, presumably on the back of a strong display from the Cherries on the field, and a dignified display by the manager in front of the cameras after.
15. ALAN PARDEW (↑1)
Crystal Palace were beaten at home by Arsenal on Sunday, but Pardew (25/1) is still considered to have one of the safer jobs in the Premier League.
= RONALD KOEMAN (↑1)
Southampton, meanwhile, lost 3-0 at home, but Koeman (25/1) is another manager few expect to see out of a job any time soon.
= MARK HUGHES (↓3)
The same applies to Hughes, who is also at least 25/1 to be the next Premier League manager sacked following Stoke's 2-2 draw at Tottenham.
18. GARRY MONK (↓3)
Monk (33/1) is deemed even safer in his job after Swansea followed up their draw at Chelsea with a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle.
= ARSENE WENGER (NM)
A second straight defeat for Arsenal may well have seen Wenger climb this list, but a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace sees him remain one of the long shots at 33/1.
20. LOUIS VAN GAAL (NM)
The man with the safest job overall in the Premier League, however, is Van Gaal, who you cannot get at shorter than 50/1 to leave Manchester United any time soon.
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