Euro Paper Talk: Former Liverpool defender attracting shock Man City interest

Michael Graham
Mamadou Sakho & Martin Skrtel: A parting of ways

Mamadou Sakho & Martin Skrtel: A parting of ways

Liverpool have been handed the green light to sign a £15m-rated Germany striker, while Chelsea’s demands have sent Juventus running, according to today’s rumours from around Europe.

MAN CITY IN SHOCK LINK TO FORMER LIVERPOOL DEFENDER

Manchester City are interested in signing former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, a shock report has claimed.

Turkish outlet Fanatik report that City will offer the Fenerbahce man a bumper €4million annual salary after tax to beat Newcastle and Swansea to his signature.

Skrtel is considered a key player in Aykut Kocaman’s Fenerbahce squad, but the Turkish giant’s financial position may force them to sell the Slovakian.

LIVERPOOL HANDED KRUSE BOOST

Liverpool target Max Kruse will be allowed to leave Werder Bremen this summer – if he wants to.

The 29-year-old has reportedly been high up on Jurgen Klopp’s summer wishlist, though he may face competition from West Ham and Southampton.

Breman boss Frank Baumann is quoted as saying there are “no guarantees” he will remain at the club beyond this transfer window, while the club’s president has said any player who doesn’t wish to play for the club can go.

Kruse is rated in the £15million bracket by his club and scored 15 goals for Werder last season.

The player has also won 14 caps for Germany.

 

JUVENTUS BALK AT MATIC FEE

Chelsea may have to lower their demands for Nemanja Matic after Juventus decided €45million was too excessive for the midfielder.

Matic’s Chelsea future has been in question all summer, with Manchester United also among those credited with a serious interest.

However, it was Juventus who made the first move for him, but they have backed off from a deal over Chelsea’s asking price, report CorSport.

It is claimed that Matic’s non-involvement in Chelsea’s pre-season tour has encouraged Juventus to take a more hard-line stance on negotiations, so while talks look to have stalled, they don’t appear to be dead in the water.

PSG IN FRESH ALEXIS BID

 

Paris Saint-Germain will return with a €40million offer for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez, reports Le Parisien.

The Chilean has been linked with the Ligue 1 giants all summer, but they may turn their attentions back to him should they fail to prise Neymar away from Barcelona.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has publicly stated that the decision has been taken not to let Sanchez leave this summer. However, with just a year left to run on his current deal, just how strong that assertion is could easily be tested.

AND THE REST

Manchester City flop Wilfried Bony is close to agreeing a €3.5million switch to Fenerbahce (turkish-football.com)

Wilfried Bony: Swansea City want striker back from Manchester City

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta could quit the club for Inter due to a contract dispute (Don Balon)

Roma still want Riyad Mahrez but are unwilling to go anywhere near Leicester’s €40million asking price (Corriere dello Sport)

Inter have reached an agreement with Sampdoria over the signing of Patrik Schick, which represents a blow to Everton’s hopes to sign him (various)

​Juventus could sign reported Manchester United target Federico Bernardeschi by the week-end (Tuttosport)

Federico Bernardeschi: In demand

Tottenham and West Ham remain interested in Lazio star Keita Balde (various)

Pepe Reina’s agent will meet Napoli again next week to carry on contract talks amid continuing links with Newcastle and Chelsea (Gazzetta)

West Ham are close to signing Javier Hernandez, but Leverkusen are holding out for a €20million fee (Bild)

AC Milan hope to get the jump on a host of Premier League rivals by offering a cash plus players package to Torino for Andrea Belotti (La Stampa)