Euro Paper Talk: Frenkie de Jong sent painful Barcelona message as Man Utd hopes are rekindled and Lyon striker lined up next

Manchester United have renewed belief they can secure the signing of Frenkie de Jong and are on the trail of a Lyon striker too, Chelsea fancy a move for an Argentina midfielder, while Monday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Leeds are preparing an offer for a veteran Belgian star.

BARCELONA TELL FRENKIE DE JONG THEY WANT HIM GONE

Manchester United are more confident than ever they can seal the signing of Frenkie de Jong amid huge claims emerging in Spain.

The Red Devils have pursued the midfielder long and hard all summer, the Dutchman the No 1 target of Erik ten Hag. But agreeing a deal has proved painfully difficult. Indeed, the prospective signing has been one of the most long-drawn out sagas in recent memory.

Striking a deal with Barcelona was problematic enough, though did that they did with his fee set at an initial £55m (€65m).

It then became an enormous problem in convincing the midfielder himself to sign. In fact, so opposed is he to leaving that a report on Sunday listed 10 reasons why De Jong is adamant he won’t be signing for United.

De Jong’s commitment to Barcelona was illustrated on Monday morning when he was among the first to report back for pre-season training.

However, Barcelona have another agenda entirely and they remain intent on moving him on. As per AS, they are ‘secretly working’ on his sale to the Red Devils.

Furthermore, Mundo Deportivo claims a meeting will be held with De Jong later on Monday to confirm the grim reality.

In it, they will officially inform De Jong that they want him gone and they will accept an offer to sell him. Despite Xavi’s liking of the player, the hard truth is that Barcelona simply need the cash and his sale is simply in the club’s best interests.

That will leave De Jong with little choice but to accept a move away. Mundo Deportivo, however, also suggests news of De Jong being officially up for sale could still alert Chelsea into a rival approach.

Moussa Dembele next in after Frenkie de Jong – report

Manchester United, meanwhile, are reportedly in talks over a deal for Moussa Dembele.

The striker is up for sale at Lyon with just a year left on his deal. The Ligue 1 side have already planned for his departure by re-signing Alexandre Lacazette on a free.

Lyon are reportedly seeking just £10m for his signature; a fee that reportedly stoked Southampton’s interest.

Now Media Foot in France reports that Ten Hag is ready to get involved.

Why do Manchester United want Frenkie de Jong?

Why do Manchester United want Frenkie de Jong when the player seemingly doesn't want a move to Old Trafford?

United are in need of a new forward this summer with Edinson Cavani and possibly Anthony Martial departing.

A prospective deal for Ajax star Antony looks prohibitive given his huge valuation. But the French publication reckons they will have more joy in pursuing a deal for Dembele, who has 67 goals in 143 games for Lyon.

CHELSEA LOOK TO GUIDO RODRIGUEZ TO REPLACE KANTE

Real Betis are willing to give Chelsea the green light to sign Argentina international midfielder Guido Rodriguez as a replacement for N’Golo Kante. (Estadio Deportivo)

Newcastle United are preparing an opening £20m offer to Real Madrid for unsettled winger Marco Asensio. (Ekrem Konour)

Roma are exploring a possible deal for Saul Niguez if Atletico Madrid decide he can leave once again. (Mundo Deportivo)

Manchester United will get a firm thumbs up from Paulo Dybala if they decide to pursue a deal for the free agent striker. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Leeds United face competition from Newcastle and Inter Milan in the race to sign £21m-rated striker Arnaud Kalimuendo. (L’Equipe)

Angers star Angelo Fulgini is rejecting an offer to sign for Rangers in favour of a move to Mainz. (Bild)

LEEDS LOOKING AT VETERAN BELGIUM STAR

Leeds United are preparing an offer to Dries Mertens if he fails to agree a new contract with Napoli. (Il Mattino)

Chelsea are preparing to match Napoli’s £34m asking price for Kalidou Koulibaly. (Corriere dello Sport)

Bayern Munich believe they can tempt Harry Kane to the Bundesliga – though any move is likely to be on hold until summer 2023. (Kicker)

Flamengo are readying a surprise approach to sign Alexis Sanchez and are willing to pay him €3.5m a season. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Ousmane Dembele has agreed a new two-year deal with Barcelona that will see his wages reduce by 40 per cent. (Fabrizio Romano)

Eidur Gudjohnsen’s son, Andri, will leave Real Madrid this summer to join up with Swedish side IFK Norrkoping. (Expressen)

Lazio are closing on the signing of Portuguese goalkeeper Luis Maximiano after reaching an agreement with Granada. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

MAN CITY ENCOUNTER JOSIP GVARDIOL ISSUES

Manchester City want to sign Josip Gvardiol as a replacement for Chelsea-bound Nathan Ake – but agreeing a fee with RB Leipzig looks a tall order. (various)

Barcelona are confident they can secure the signing of Bernardo Silva from Man City, once Raphinha’s signing is finalised. (Mundo Deportivo)

Celta Vigo are finalising the signing of Oscar Rodriguez from Sevilla. The playmaker will sign on loan with an obligation on a £8.5m (€10m) deal next summer. (AS)

AC Milan are in talks with the agent of Ismael Bennacer with the midfielder seeking a new deal and a pay rise. (Calciomercato)

West Ham are hopeful of completing the signing of Justin Kluivert, with Roma seeking just £12.9m for the Netherlands winger. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Sporting Lisbon are closing on the signing of Francisco Trincao, agreeing to a loan with a £8.5m (€10m) obligation to buy. (Fabrizio Romano)