MX23RW : Wednesday, December 2 09:22:16| >> :60:3249:3249:

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

Wednesday's paper talk: Nicolas Pepe, Marcel Sabitzer, Raphael Varane
© Reuters
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:cQx
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi pictured on November 7, 2020
Read Next:
Friday's papers: Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola, Olivier Giroud
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Champions League
Championship
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Welsh Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
Copa Libertadores
Copa Sudamericana
MLS Playoffs
NFL
1am
Ravens
@
Steelers
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Tottenham HotspurSpurs106312191221
2Liverpool106312217521
3Chelsea1054122101219
4Leicester CityLeicester106041914518
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham105231711617
6Southampton105231916317
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves105231111017
8Everton105141917216
9Manchester UnitedMan Utd95131616016
10Aston Villa95042013715
11Manchester CityMan City94321511415
12Leeds UnitedLeeds104241517-214
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104241215-314
14Arsenal104151012-213
15Crystal Palace104151215-313
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton102441416-210
17Fulham102171119-87
18West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom10136718-116
19Burnley9126417-135
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd10019416-121

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!