Euro Paper Talk: Chelsea launch move for €100m Man Utd target
Chelsea look set to win the race for one of Serie A’s most in-demand stars after launching a firm €100m bid, while a Mexican star wants to join Tottenham ahead of fellow suitors Manchester United, according to Sunday’s European papers.
CHELSEA JOIN MILINKOVIC-SAVIC HUNT
Chelsea have contacted Lazio to make a firm €100m offer for Manchester United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to reports in Italy.
The Serbian has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford with Jose Mourinho seeing the much-coveted midfielder as an ideal replacement for Michael Carrick.
But with Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG also rumoured to be keen, United now though have a fight on their hands convincing him to sign.
Now il Corriere dello Sport claims it is Chelsea and new boss Maurizio Sarri who has made the first move to sign the in-demand midfielder.
They claim the Blues have submitted an opening gambit of €100m – and could include Cesc Fabregas to help sweeten the deal.
It’s claimed new Chelsea boss Sarri wants Milinkovic-Savic to operate in a three-man midfield alongside Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, though the latter has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.
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LOZANO FANCIES MOVE TO TOTTENHAM
Manchester United’s prospects of signing Hirving Lozano have taken a turn for the worse after the Mexico star reportedly targeted a move to Tottenham.
The Mexico forward earmarked himself as one of the game’s most exciting attackers with some impressive displays for his country as they reached the last 16 of the World Cup.
Lozano, who plys his trade with PSV Eindhoven, was soon linked with a move to Manchester United – but it seems the Mexico star will have no shortage of options.
According to Don Balon, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have made tentative moves to sign him. However, the Spanish outlet claims Spurs are now in the driving seat to sign him.
They claim Lozano wants to sign for a side who are not only in the Champions League, but one at which he has a strong chance of playing regular football for.
United have since been linked with a move again for Gareth Bale, while Ivan Perisic has also emerged as a target once again.
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MAN UTD PREPARE BID FOR AC MILAN STAR
Manchester United are ready to take advantage of AC Milan’s precarious financial situation by bidding for a star defender, a report claims.
According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, United are prepared to make a bid of €32million for Milan captain Leonardo Bonucci.
The report claims that the Rossoneri are looking to make €50million from player sales this summer.
The Italy defender was rumoured to have been unhappy at the San Siro, just a year after he moved from Juventus in a £37million deal, sparking talk that he could be available.
The 31-year-old made 51 appearances in all competitions this past season and is still regarded as one of the top central defenders in European football.
However, he quashed rumours about an exit when speaking to Sky Sport Italia: “There is no problem whatsoever [at Milan]. I hope these rumours will be put to bed so we can build something important.
“We’re aiming to return to the Champions League and to compete for big objectives.”
AND THE REST
Lazio will target Cesc Fabregas as a replacement for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer (Corriere dello Sport)
The father of Bayern Munich playmaker James Rodriguez has hinted at a possible return to Real Madrid this summer (El Larguero)
Juventus have rejected an opening offer from Borussia Dortmund to sign out-of-favour striker Mario Mandzukic (Bild)
Barcelona have cleared the way for Andre Gomes to leave this summer after excluding him from their pre-season tour of the USA. The star has an €80m exit clause in his contract and has been linked with a move to Arsenal (Sport)
Real Madrid are closing in on a €35m deal for Chelsea and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (Het Laaste Nieuws)
Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to join Napoli this summer and only opted for Juventus when their owner refused to pay the €350m package needed to sign him (Corriere dello Sport)
Liverpool are ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Roma goalkeeper Alisson in a €70m deal this summer (Calciomercato)
Manchester United will target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as Paul Pogba’s replacement should the Frenchman leave Old Trafford (La Repubblica)
Villarreal have agreed a deal to sign midfield starlet Santiago Caseres from Velez Sarsfield (AS)
AC Milan star Suso’s €38m release clause is only valid only for clubs overseas, and will expire at midnight on Sunday (Mediaset Premium)
Real Madrid have set their sights on PSG star Neymar and are confident they can land him (COPE)
Paris Saint-Germain are set to offer Neymar an improved contract to keep him away from Real Madrid (Sport)
Iran international attacker Alireza Jahanbakhsh is set for a move from AZ to Leicester City (Vananews)
Christian Karembeu has informed Real Madrid they will need to be quick if they want to sign Kylian Mbappe (L’Equipe)
Ajax have reached an agreement with Manchester United over the signing of Netherlands international Daley Blind (De Telegraaf)
Barcelona are targeting Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kante (Di Marzio)
Carlo Ancelotti is attempting to bring Karim Benzema to Napoli (La Sexta)
Portugal international midfielder William Carvalho has signed with Real Betis
Bordeaux winger Malcom is set to snub interest from Tottenham by moving to Inter (TMW)