Euro Paper Talk: Chelsea overtake Liverpool in race for Roma star

Joe Williams

Chelsea have overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign an Italian full-back from Roma, while Juventus want to land either Christian Eriksen or Mesut Ozil, according to Wednesday’s European papers.

 

INTER APPROACH LIVERPOOL FOR STURRIDGE

Daniel Sturridge could find himself on the move to Serie A, according to reports from Italy.

The Corriere Dello Sport claims Inter Milan have made contact with Liverpool to see if the Reds will allow the frustrated striker to move to the San Siro on loan.

Liverpool would prefer a straight cash deal after Sturridge fell down Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order, but could be persuaded to let him move on loan if no suitors match their £25million asking price.

Sturridge has only featured eight times in the Premier League this season, mainly from the bench, with his last appearance in the competition coming against his former club Chelsea at the end of November.

 

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ARSENAL TARGET BIG-MONEY WINGER SWOOP

Arsenal have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins, according to reports in the Portuguese media.

With long-serving Gunners star Theo Walcott expected to sign for Everton, O Jogo claims Arsenal have turned their attentions to Portugal flyer Martins.

The 22-year-old has been one of the standout stars in Liga NOS over the last two seasons and has also impressed in the Champions League with Sporting this term.

Indeed his performances led to reports earlier in the week claiming Liverpool had offered the player a summer move to Anfield and had even agreed a £4.4million-a-season salary.

However, any deal for either Arsenal or Liverpool would come at a price: Martins currently has a buy-out clause of £53m but it is believed Sporting are looking to increase that to an eye-watering £89million.

 

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AND THE REST

Manchester United have told Real Madrid they can have David De Gea – but only in a straight swap for Raphael Varane and Marco Asensio (Don Balon)

 

Real Madrid will sign Neymar, Eden Hazard and Robert Lewandowski in place of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema this summer in an overhaul that will see around €400m spent and around €200m brought back in  (Marca)

Ronaldo is desperate to leave Real Madrid after falling out with president Florentino Perez over the fact that he earns less than Lionel Messi and Neymar (Mundo Deportivo)

Ronaldo’s potential return to Manchester United is definitely back on (Gazetta dello Sport)

Manchester United target Fabinho insists he won’t be leaving Monaco this month, despite talk of a fresh £40m offer from Jose Mourinho’s side (O Globoesporte)

Leon Goretzka has snubbed a move to Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal and will join Bayern Munich on a free transfer at the end of the season (Bild)

Arsenal could yet miss out to Real Madrid after the Spaniards re-entered the race to sign Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Don Balon)

Juventus will make a concrete move for one of either Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil or Christian Eriksen of Tottenham this summer (Corriere dello Sport)

Inter will launch an ambitious bid for Liverpool target and Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos should they fail to land Rafinha Alcantara this month (Diario AS)

Manchester City are emerging as contenders to sign Antoine Griezmann after ending their interest in Manchester United bound Alexis Sanchez

Chelsea are expected to face competition from PSG if Juventus give any indication they are willing to sell wing-back Alex Sandro (L’Equipe)

Javier Mascherano will play his final Barcelona match next Thursday against Espanyol before joining Hebei China Fortune (Mundo Deportivo)

Villarreal hope to talk AC Milan into accepting a reduced €11m bid (down from €15m) for on-loan striker Carlos Bacca (Gazetta dello Sport)

Carlos Bacca: Provides update on future

Roma defender Federico Fazio has criticised Spurs and the English game after his ill-fated spell in the Premier League (Corriere dello Sport)

Long-term Liverpool target Inaki Williams has signed a new seven-year deal at Athletic Bilbao which has seen his exit fee increased to a potential €108million

Manchester United and Liverpool are among the clubs to have opened talks on a deal to sign Barcelona’s Aleix Vidal this month (Estadio Deportivo)

PSG have put talks with AC Milan keeper Gigio Donnarumma on hold and have turned their attentions to Roma stopper Alisson, who is wanted by Liverpool (Calciomercato)

Simon Mignolet has been linked with a €20million switch to Serie A leaders Napoli (Het Nieuwsblad)

Tottenham have reportedly joined Juventus in race to sign Cagliari’s North Korean forward Kwang-Song Han

Manchester United are plotting a fresh bid to take Brazil midfielder Fabinho to Old Trafford and could launch a £40m move to bring him to Old Trafford this month (Don Balon)

Real Betis midfielder Fabian Ruiz wants to extend his contract at the club, despite Roma attempting to trigger his €15m release clause (Cadena Ser)

Juventus are emerging as favourites ahead of Roma, Inter Milan and Napoli in the race to sign Matteo Darmian – but any move for the unsettled Manchester United defender is likely to be put on hold until the summer (Calciomercato)

AC Milan star Suso has refused to rule out a return to Liverpool

Everton are emerging as serious rivals to Sevilla in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt Omar Mascarell (Marca)

Real Madrid have agreed to pay the €110m exit fee in Mauro Icardi’s contract, with the Argentine due to move after the 2018 World Cup (Corriere dello Sport)

Chelsea have overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign AS Roma’s Italian full-back Emerson Palmeiri (Calciomercato)

Read more from Planet Sport: Johnny Nic on why tennis needs a reboot (Tennis365)