Joao Cancelo and Pep Guardiola’s bust-up, Chelsea offer £10m more than Enzo Fernandez’s release clause – Paper Round

The Cancelo-Guardiola bust-up

“City are now seeking a replacement, and losing a key squad member as the window closes is not ideal, but club insiders have disclosed they were left with little option.”

**

Chelsea go above and beyond

“After an initial offer was rejected, Chelsea have today increased their bid to a level that would surpass the £100m record Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021, and which would be paid in instalments.”

**

Ziyech wants PSG move

Paris Saing-Germain are close to signing Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea, L’Equipe reports. The Morocco forward has been linked with a move away from Chelsea amid all their incomings this month, and despite reported interest from Newcastle, Everton and Manchester United, the 29-year-old favours a move to the French capital.

“Nevertheless: the discussions are progressing very quickly and, according to a source close to the semi-finalist of the last World Cup, Ziyech, under contract until June 2025 in London, who was also courted by Manchester United, has given his preference to the club of the [French] capital.

**

Arsenal go for Russo

Manchester United have turned down a world-record bid from Women’s Super League rivals Arsenal for England striker Alessia Russo, the Telegraph reports. The offer surpassed the £400,000 spent by Barcelona for Keira Walsh in the summer, and while WSL leaders are reluctant to sell to Arsenal – who are three points behind with a game in hand – the deal is not completely off the table given Russo’s contract expires at the end of the season.

“Russo has been with Manchester United since signing from North Carolina Tar Heels in 2020. Having moved to the WSL club straight from a US college setup she will be set for a major increase to her salary this summer one way or another, having starred for the Lionesses at last summer’s Euros.”