Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool dealt big blow in bid to land winger

A major Liverpool attacking target looks set to stay at Barcelona this summer, while a trio of Premier League teams are chasing Lazio star Felipe Anderson, acccording to Sunday’s European papers.

 

LIVERPOOL TARGET POISED FOR BARCELONA STAY

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu appears of have poured cold water on Liverpool’s hopes of signing winger Ousmane Dembele this summer.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has been chasing the France star for some time and there had been rumours of the possibility of a loan move to Anfield.

However, it would appear that 21-year-old will be plying his trade at the Nou Camp again next season.

Bartomeu said: “[Philippe] Coutinho, Dembele are for us a big investment. They are very important players that we expect from them a lot.

“Coutinho probably in the last four months has been very active for the team. But Dembele is a very young player, a very talented player that we are, of course, expecting from him a lot. He’s been demonstrating during the season that he’s a good young player for us. But, of course, next season will be different.

“It’s not easy to play in Barcelona the first year because the model of football is quite different from the rest. But after one year I’m sure we are going to see Dembele and Coutinho at a very high level.”

The news will not come as too big a blow to the Reds, who are closing in on the £70m signing of Lyon attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir.

 

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AND THE REST

Juventus and Arsenal are interested in Sporting CP winger Gelson Martins (O’Jogo)

Barcelona could face a FIFA probe for holding talks with Antoine Griezmann, despite the Atletico Madrid ace having four years left on his contract (AS)

Atalanta president Antonio Percassi has revealed that Man Utd target Bryan Cristante is likely to leave this summer (Calciomercato)

Napoli star Elseid Hysaj has dismissed rumors of a possible exit from the Stadio San Paolo this summer (Calciomercato)

Thomas Muller opened the door to a potential farewell to Bayern Munich (Welt Am Sonntag)

Bayern Munich left-back Juan Bernat is Juventus’ top target to replace Alex Sandro if the wing-back leaves this summer (Corriere dello Sport)

Napoli star Dries Mertens has indicated at a possible stay at the partenopei (PremiumSport)

Leicester, Southampton and West Ham have set their sights on Lazio star Felipe Anderson, who is rated at €30million (Tuttosport)

French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet has played down rumours that Zinedine Zidane could replace Didier Deschamps as France manager

Bayern Munich are entertaining the possibility of pursuing RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner (Bild)

Juventus are apparently on the verge of completing a deal to sign goalkeeper Mattia Perin from Genoa (Corriere dello Sport)

Former Arsenal player Anders Limpar has urged the Gunners to sign RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg this summer

Marseille are reportedly making a big push to sign Mario Balotelli (France Football)

Espanyol have appointed Joan Francesc Ferrer, known as Rubi, as their new head coach