Arsenal have won the race to sign Watford ace Abdoulaye Doucoure, reports the Daily Mirror – that is if the Gunners want the 25-year-old French midfielder. 

Asked to comment on the rumours started by a French TV channel, the playmaker confessed: “It’s true that these clubs are interested but I’m at Watford for the moment and I want to finish my season well.”

When asked if any of his three suitors had particularly caught his eye, Doucoure replied: “Arsenal, because of Arsene Wenger”. Which presumably means either he sees something in the Frenchman that the rest of us stopped seeing a decade ago, or he believes the Europa League is the tournament for him.

Premier League rivals battle for Lazio’s Stefan de Vrij

Meanwhile, the Mirror has come up with a mathematical brain-teaser with their claim that Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are squaring up for a “transfer tug-of-war” over Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij.

Although the paper didn’t elaborate on how a tug-of-war works with three teams, it did say that the Dutch centre-half is “keen” on joining United.

With Jose Mourinho planning an overhaul of his back four at the end of the season, it appears a match made in heaven but the Mirror says Arsenal and Liverpool both have their eye on the 26-year-old.

One thing’s for sure, and that’s Lazio’s willingness to release De Vrij with the club’s sporting director, Igli Tare, confirming the Dutchman has turned down a new deal.

“Lazio have withdrawn the proposal we made for a new contract,” said Tare. “He has been an exemplary professional and we thank him for that, as well as what he’ll do until the end of the season. He gave a lot to the club, just as we gave a great deal to him, but our paths will divide in June.”