Euro Paper Talk: Chelsea agree terms over €35m Italy star

Chelsea are set to announce the signing of a Juventus defender, while Inter Milan are close to announcing the arrival of a Man Utd and Spurs target, according to Saturday’s European papers.

 

CHELSEA CLOSE ON JUVENTUS DEFENDER

Chelsea are on the brink of announcing the capture of Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, according to reports in Italy.

Il Gazzetta dello Sport claims the Italy centre-half is close to putting pen to paper on a deal that will set the Blues back an initial £31million (€35m), with Rugani set to become their first new arrival of the summer.

The 23-year-old has voiced his frustration at a lack of first-team chances in Turin and now looks set to move on after Juve decided to cash in.

The deal is thought to have been rubberstamped by incoming Blues boss Maurizio Sarri, who worked with Rugani during their two years together at Empoli.

 

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KOVACIC WANTS OUT

Liverpool, Man Utd and Juventus target Mateo Kovacic says he wants to leave Real Madrid to get more game time.

The 24-year-old has started just 37 La Liga games in three years and he has confirmed he wants out of the Bernabeu.

Kovacic, who has a €50m release clause, told Marca: “I want to play more and the best thing is to leave Madrid.

“I love football and being on the pitch. I want the opportunity to be a starter on another team. If I do not play, I’m not happy.”

Earlier this year Italian outlet Tuttosport claimed both Inter and Milan were in the race to sign Kovacic this summer. While Don Balon suggested he was a target for Jose Mourinho.

Tottenham made a bid for the player last summer, and Liverpool were linked with Kovacic as long ago as last summer via Diario Gol.

Croatia international Kovacic joined Madrid for around €35million in 2015 from Inter Milan.

AND THE REST

Inter Milan are close to agreeing a deal to sign Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool target Malcom. The Brazilian will move for an €8m loan fee, and a €35m deal next summer due to the Serie A side’s FFP restrictions (FootballItalia)

Roma have reached an agreement with Ligue 2 club RC Lens over the transfer of 18-year-old defender William Bianda (RMC)

Hirving Lozano’s father has confirmed that Barcelona have made ‘approaches’ for the Mexico star. The PSV star has regularly been linked with Arsenal in the past (ESPN)

Valencia defender Joao Cancelo will complete his €38m move to Italian champion Juventus next week (Sky Italia)

Real Betis and Sevilla have been in contact over the transfer of Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker (Estadio Deportivo)

Man Utd and Chelsea target Elseid Hysaj is “indispensable” at Napoli, says Carlo Ancelotti and will not leave the club this summer (Il Mattino)

Chelsea have not made contact with Napoli over Maurizio Sarri, who is still under contract at the Serie A side (various)

Arsenal keeper David Ospina has been linked with a move to Fenerbahce (Turkish-Football)

Mario Gotze says he wants to work with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp again (various)

Juventus are preparing for the departures of Daniele Rugani and Mehdi Benatia by preparing transfers for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin and Ajax’s Matthijs De Ligt (Tuttosport)

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng (SportBild)

Liverpool have made a €180million bid to sign Real Madrid star Marco Asensio (Mundo Deportivo)

UEFA will ban AC Milan from the Europa League and fine them €30million after a breach of FFP (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Barcelona are  lining up a shock swoop for Manchester United star Juan Mata (Bleacher Report)

Juventus are interested in signing Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian who wants to make return in Serie A (Fabrizio Romano)

Marek Hamsik has performed a U-turn and wants to stay with Napoli (Sky Sport)

Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic says he is focused on the World Cup (Calciomercato)