Chelsea make shock bid for West Ham forward Michail Antonio amid injury crisis – Paper Round

Chelsea fail with Antonio bid

Chelsea have failed with their first move to sign Michail Antonio from West Ham on loan, according to the Sun. The versatile 32-year-old attacker is out of the starting line-up under David Moyes, and could now instead make a permanent switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are also keen. Chelsea need reinforcements due to the absences of Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Christian Pulisic.

Paper Round’s views: Chelsea appear to be happy to throw money at most problems they are facing but the short-term loan of Antonio has some merits. While he is not quite as talented as the rest of their squad, he has Premier League experience and is a reliable goalscorer. Given he is not in the starting XI for West Ham, they might be open to getting him off the wage bill.

Arsenal make Raphinha loan enquiry

The Mirror relays that Arsenal have looked at alternatives to Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in something of a surprise move. Raphinha of Barcelona is one option, with the Spanish club making him available after a summer move from Leeds United, and so Arsenal have made contact with the intent of exploring a move on loan for the winger.

Paper Round’s views: With Ferran Torres and Ousmane Dembele at Barcelona, as well as Memphis Depay and others, Raphinha is no longer at the top of the list for starting wide men under Xavi Hernandez. Arsenal have failed to secure Mudryk after failing to meet his asking price, so moving for a Brazilian international with Premier League experience could be more pragmatic.

Messi set for PSG stay

Lionel Messi’s current contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season, but Spanish newspaper Marca believes that the 35-year-old Argentine will extend his stay in France for at least another season. That will stop Saudi Arabian League side Al Hillal from signing the player for now, after they hatched plans to bring the Argentine to the Kingdom.

Paper Round’s views: Messi may have been reinvigorated by the success he enjoyed in Qatar last year and there may be an element of geopolitics going on, in that Saudi Arabia would presumably be happy to take Messi from a Qatari-owned club. But Messi is still one of the best in the world and will not yet want to give up his hope of winning another Champions League.

Forest eye Danjuma signing

Nottingham Forest are less frantic in the January transfer window than they were in the summer, but are keen on Villarreal’s winger Arnaut Danjuma. The 25-year-old Dutch international has been made available by his current side, with the player also attracting interest from Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham and Tottenham, reports the Mail.

Paper Round’s views: Danjuma was the subject of plenty of interest in the last couple of years but he appears to have failed to integrate with his current club which means it is best he moves on to preserve the Spanish side’s team spirit, and to make sure that his own career does not get held up for off-pitch matters. He clearly has talent so Forest will hope to sign such a player as they hope to stay up.