Euro Paper Talk: Arsenal prepare bid for Real Madrid star; Salah to Spain?

Joe Williams

Arsenal are ready to make a £35.5million bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, while The Egyptian national team boss has talked up Mo Salah’s potential move to Real Madrid, all in Thursday’s European papers.

EGYPT BOSS TALKS UP SALAH TO REAL MADRID

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah’s potential switch to Real Madrid has seemingly taken another step forward following comments made by his Egypt national team boss.

Reports in Spain claim Salah will be Real’s top transfer target next summer after so far proving to be a huge hit at Anfield, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists in 27 games this season.

When asked if Salah could play for the La Liga giants, Egypt boss Cuper told Marca TV: “I have no doubt he has the level, for sure. He has a lot of qualities and everyone knows that and can see that. He is a very fast player, good from a technical standpoint, he is a good finisher and that would be good for Madrid.”

Salah is currently under contract with Liverpool until June 2021 and only recently spoke of his desire to win titles with the club.

However, with talk of a potential switch to the Bernabeu not dying down it would appear that Salah will continue to be linked with a move to Madrid – particularly if his stunning form continues.

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REAL TO MAKE SHOCK SESSEGNON MOVE

Real Madrid have reportedly joined Manchester United and Tottenham in the race for Fulham sensation Ryan Sessegnon.

The 17-year-old left-sided defender is said to caught Zinedine Zidane’s eye after some outstanding displays for the Cottagers this season.

AS reports that Real scouts have been watching the player throughout the campaign and that a bid could be made despite the La Liga giants already having a promising young left-back on their books in Theo Hernandez.

Zidane, whose future at Real appears to be under threat after a disappointing season so far, is said to be looking for a long-term successor to Marcelo, who could move on at the end of the season.

However, Real will face strong competition for the £25million-rated Sessegnon, who is firmly on the radars of both United and Spurs.

United may well be in the box seat to land the player, as Jose Mourinho is prepared to loan the player back to Fulham for the second half of the season, although Sessegnon may consider that a switch to Tottenham will present a better opportunity of landing regular first-team football under Mauricio Pochettino.

United are looking to offload full-backs Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw and have also been linked with Tottenham’s Danny Rose, but they may consider Sessegnon to be a better long-term option.

Either way, Real’s reported interest is sure to spark some interesting speculation throughout the winter transfer window.

 

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AND THE REST

Mario Mandzukic and Edin Dzeko have reportedly rejected big-money moves to China

Tottenham are among the teams interested in Villarreal forward Cedric Bakambu (Marca)

Barcelona are still interested in Lyon star Nabil Fekir (Calciomercato)

Chiellini and Barzagli are set to extend their expiring contracts with Juventus (Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport)

Bayer Leverkusen have received no offers for their highly-rated forward Leon Bailey

Inter target Simone Verdi has a €25 million price-tag and will only leave Bologna in the summer (Corriere dello Sport)

Roma are closing in on the signing of Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj (Corriere dello Sport)

Real Madrid will sack Zinedine Zidane at the end of the season if he fails to beat PSG in the quarter finals of the Champions League in February (Corriere dello Sport)

​Aleix Vidal and Gerard Deulofeu will be leaving Barcelona in the January transfer window (Tuttosport)

Indeed, Vidal’s entourage has been in touch with Roma over a move (Calciomercato)

Steve McClaren has left his role at Maccabi Tel Aviv and is looking for a return to England.

Arsenal line up £35.5million move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, with the Gunners the only club interested in the France international (Diario Gol)