Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool, Man City eye world-record defender deal

Oli Fisher
Francisco Ferro

Liverpool and Manchester City are set to battle in out over a Portuguese starlet, while Juventus want to take a Man Utd outcast, according to Sunday’s European papers.

 

TOP TWO BATTLE FOR PORTUGUESE STARLET

Liverpool and Manchester City are ready to do battle for a Benfica star this summer, according to a report.

Portuguese outlet Record states that the Reds have opened talks over a move for Francisco Reis Ferreira, better known as Ferro.

He has made just nine senior appearances for Benfica in all competitions, however he is highly-rated within the club and is also a Portugal U21 international.

Despite his inexperience, Jurgen Klopp apparently likes what he sees in Ferro, but the report states that Benfica have rejected Liverpool’s initial advances.

It also states that the Merseyside giants made an offer in 2017 which was turned down – that being a loan with an option to buy the central defender for £10million.

Ferro penned a new deal with Benfica at the beginning of March which reportedly has a €100m (£85m) release clause inserted.

Meanwhile, Man City chief Txiki Begiristain was apparently in a box as Benfica played Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday, with Record claiming on Saturday that Ferro is a target of interest.

 

AND THE REST

Inter Milan are ready to sell Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, 26, and Croatian striker Ivan Perisic, 30, with Manchester United and Arsenal both interested in signing either player. (La Gazzetta Dello Sporto)

James Rodriguez is determined to cut short his time at Bayern Munich, despite seeing Zinedine Zidane’s return close the door on a return to Real Madrid. (Marca)

Juventus are hoping they can lay the groundwork for signing Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt during the two Champions League quarter-final matches the clubs are set to play.  (Calciomercato.com)

Paris St-Germain have put contract talks with Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Brazilian right-back Dani Alves and Brazilian defender Thiago Silva on hold after the French club were knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester United. (L’Equipe)

Monchi has returned to Sevilla to resume his role as sporting director, the Spanish club confirmed.

BENEVENTO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 20: Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo Monchi of Roma during the Serie A match between Benevento Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Ciro Vigorito on September 20, 2017 in Benevento, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City are all interested in signing Lyon’s 22-year-old French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. (Calciomercato)

Barcelona are set to redouble their efforts to sign Atletico Madrid’s World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann. (L’Equipe)

Zinedine Zidane has reassured Isco and Marcelo that they still have a key role at Real Madrid amid reports they could leave the club. (Goal)

Alexis Sanchez TEAMtalk

Manchester United outcast Alexis Sanchez is on Juventus’ radar for a potential summer move. (Calciomercato.com)

Barcelona are interested in Celta Vigo’s Uruguayan striker Maxi Gomez – but they may not make a move for the 22-year-old as he does not have an EU passport. (Marca)

Antonio Valencia will leave Manchester United at the end of the season and could end up joining Arsenal, his agent and father said.