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Arsenal eye £35m England star, Ineos make huge decision after 'nightmarish' Nice season - Paper Round
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Updated 05/07/2026 at 07:54 GMT+1
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Arsenal are plotting a £35 million move for an England defender, Ineos have put the entire Nice squad up for sale, Divin Mubama is drawing Championship loan interest, and how Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United to the signing of Mateus Fernandes to play under Roberto De Zerbi.
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Arsenal consider £35m swoop for Villa star
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have turned their attention to Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa as they seek defensive reinforcements.
With Ben White's future at the Emirates growing increasingly uncertain, Arsenal view Konsa as an ideal candidate who can slide seamlessly into central defence or deputise at right-back.
Arsenal are monitoring the situation alongside Chelsea and believe a deal can be struck around the £35 million mark, even as they continue targeting his Villa team-mate Morgan Rogers.
The Daily Star states: ”Arsenal's pursuit of Morgan Rogers is hardly fresh news, but it has now emerged The Gunners also covet his Aston Villa colleague Ezri Konsa.
”[Rogers] is also reportedly coveted by Chelsea, who could be preparing for a bidding battle with Arteta's outfit.
”With right-back Ben White's future appearing uncertain, it appears The Gunners are seeking another option who can deputise at right-back while also covering central defence.
”Furthermore, Arsenal reportedly believe they can secure a deal for approximately £35m.”
Ratcliffe puts entire Nice squad up for sale
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Ineos hierarchy are prepared to execute a drastic clear-out at OGC Nice this summer after a disastrous Ligue 1 campaign that saw the club narrowly dodge a humiliating relegation.
Newly appointed sporting director Roger Ricort has arrived to find an immediate financial crisis, with the French outfit needing to generate £34m in player sales before they can invest in the squad.
The Sun explains: ”Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly put an entire squad up for sale as one of his clubs pleads for cash this summer.
”Ineos-owned OGC Nice are said to be willing to listen to offers for every player after their nightmarish season in Ligue 1.
”The French side almost suffered a humiliating relegation to the second tier and now the Allianz Riviera could be braced for a major summer sale.
”According to L’Equipe, Nice need to raise around £34m in player sales if they want to spend anything this summer.”
Championship trio battle for City's Mubama
Manchester City forward Divin Mubama has emerged as a high-priority target for Championship sides Middlesbrough, Derby County and Preston North End.
The 21-year-old striker - who moved to the Etihad from West Ham for £2m in 2024 - impressed during a loan spell with Stoke City last term by netting five goals before a severe ankle ligament injury cut his season short.
Now fully recovered and fit, second-tier clubs are queuing up to secure his services.
The Mail reports: ”Manchester City striker Divin Mubama is attracting interest from Middlesbrough, Derby and Preston.
”The 21-year-old, who joined City from West Ham for £2m in 2024, had a successful spell on loan at Stoke last season, scoring five goals until his campaign was curtailed by injury in January.
”Mubama suffered ankle ligament damage after a hefty challenge from QPR's Jimmy Dunne and initially feared he had broken his leg.
”However, he has recovered well, is fit again and a number of Championship sides are keen to take him, hoping he can have a similar impact on their season.”
How De Zerbi convinced Fernandes to choose Spurs
Details have emerged about how Bruno Fernandes' personal attempts to lure Mateus Fernandes to Old Trafford were thwarted by Tottenham's ambitious project.
The 21-year-old midfielder was thoroughly convinced by Spurs and specifically chose the move to work under Roberto De Zerbi, confident that the Italian's tactical approach will maximise his potential.
While United felt comfortable with personal terms, the hierarchy ultimately backed out when Tottenham's salary offer and West Ham's firm £85m valuation exceeded what they were willing to commit to.
The Athletic reports: ”Bruno Fernandes helped with attempts to persuade the 21-year-old that Old Trafford should be his next destination.
”According to one source, Fernandes was convinced by Tottenham’s offer, believing he would play a significant role under De Zerbi, whose playing style could maximise his potential.
”As Spurs decisively closed the agreement with West Ham, some at Old Trafford felt they would have been outbid regardless of how much they offered.
”Personal terms had not been expected to be an issue for Manchester United, but Tottenham’s salary offer was also viewed as beyond what the Old Trafford hierarchy were willing to commit to.”
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