It’s been a relief not to read the words “Chelsea are plotting a renewed attempt to sign Juventus full-back Alex Sandro” in recent months, following a summer transfer window in which they were repeated ad nauseam by every sports section in the universe. Which, as well as being tedious, was also a complete waste of everyone’s time because he was clearly not for sale.

But this period of respite was never going to last for long, because there’s a new transfer window opening just 33 days from now, and this is the Express‘ cue to report that “Chelsea are plotting a renewed attempt to sign Juventus full-back Alex Sandro”. Oh good.

The Blues are “expected to make another move” for the 26-year-old Brazilian in January as Antonio Conte attempts to beef up his left flank. The offer will be £60m, same as it was in the summer, and it will be rejected, same as it was in the summer.

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But even if Chelsea don’t sign Sandro in January, they may still need to sign someone else to replace David Luiz. The Mail says the ostentatious centre-back will be targeted by Real Madrid when the window re-opens, while AC Milan and Barcelona are also keen on taking the 30-year-old on loan.

However, Conte has revealed – ominously – that the Blues board have “yet to consult him” on their January transfer strategy, which is almost certainly something that is greatly irritating him (Guardian).

Griezmann in Gunners snub

In the day’s most pointless transfer claim, the Star reports that Arsenal will not be signing Antoine Griezmann (not that anyone thought they were going to).

The French striker has said in his new autobiography (yes, really) that he will “never” join the Gunners because they snubbed the chance to sign him in 2013 (and also, possibly, because they aren’t very good?).

Griezmann’s book, incidentally, is called ‘Behind the smile: The life of the little Prince… as told by himself’, which is possibly the worst footballer autobiography title since ‘Simpl-Lee the Best’ by Wigan and Rangers legend Lee McCulloch.

In happier news for Arsenal fans, the Mirror says the club are “edging closer” to the £60m signing of Lyon forward Nabil Fekir, who Arsene Wenger has identified as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez. If only the Gunners had taken that £60m from Man City for Alexis in August, they could have essentially had Fekir for nothing. Oh well, it’s only money.

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Meanwhile, Watford have issued a good old-fashioned “hands off warning” to Chelsea, Tottenham and any other team trying to sign their Brazilian starlet Richarlison, says the Sun. Which is fine until the 20-year-old forward issues a good old-fashioned “come and get me plea” to one of their more glamorous rivals.

Elsewhere, Manchester United and Man City are battling to sign Sevilla’s 22-year-old, £28m-rated defender Clement Lenglet (Mail), Liverpool and Leicester on keen on West Brom’s on-loan Egyptian centre-back Ahmed Hegazi, who could be available for £5m (ESPN) and Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny wants to finish his career with French second division club Lorient (Goal). Presumably because it’s the team that sounds the closest to his name?

@darlingkevin