Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd hit by £95m double blow; £58m Arsenal raid

Arsenal have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign a £58m-rated Portugal star, while Manchester United’s hopes of landing two top targets have taken a major blow, according to Friday’s European papers.

 

LIVERPOOL PONDER MOVE AS ARSENAL MOVE IN ON KLOPP TARGET

Arsenal have launched a £58million move to sign reported Liverpool target Gelson Martins, according to reports in Portugal.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claims Martins – who was recently included in Portugal’s 2018 World Cup squad – has been the subject of an enquiry from Gunners director of football Sven Mislintat after the club identified the winger as a key target for the summer.

It’s claimed new Arsenal boss Unai Emery wants Martins signed and to operate behind Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng and alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil in an exciting frontline next season.

Martins has long been tracked by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and the Portugal winger was almost signed last summer until the club moved instead for Mohamed Salah. But Martins remains very much in Klopp’s thinking and news of Arsenal’s enquiry could yet prompt Liverpool into action.

Klopp is thought to have made Ousmane Dembele his preferred choice, but could yet come back in for Martins if Barcelona decide not to sell the French winger.

 

The best Gunners news direct to your Facebook timeline: Like our dedicated Arsenal Facebook page.

 

AND THE REST

Ajax winger Justin Kluivert has agreed personal terms on a £25million transfer to Roma, ending Man Utd and Everton’s chances of signing him this summer (Gianluca di Marzio)

Juventus have launched an official opening bid of €80m (£70m) to Lazio for Man Utd target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Lazio will attempt to sign Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes should the in-demand Milinkovic-Savic depart this summer (Mundo Deportivo)

Jose Mourinho has told Paul Pogba he will stay at Manchester United this summer and will not be allowed to re-join former club Juventus (Calciomercato)

Arsenal have offered Bayern Munich a club-record £60million for star midfielder Corentin Tolisso (Calcio Insider)

Alisson’s agent has shot down claims that the goalkeeper has all-but agreed an £80million deal to join Real Madrid this summer (ForzaRoma)

Sporting Lisbon have rejected Napoli’s offer of €18m plus add-ons for goalkeeper Rui Patricio (A Bola)

Djibril Sidibe: 'Decision to reject Arsenal correct'

Atletico Madrid are very close to making Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe their first signing of the summer (Marca)

Jurgen Klopp will try and persuade Liverpool to part with an estimated £100m required to sign Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona this summer (Mundo Deportivo)

The agent of Sassuolo star Matteo Politano has confirmed AC Milan are keen to sign his client this summer (Calciomercato)

Jose Mourinho has reportedly identified Valencia right-back Joao Cancelo as a possible target should efforts to bring Diogo Dalot to the club fall short (Tuttosport)

Matteo Darmian will undergo a medical with Juventus on Friday with a potenial €15m deal being sealed this weekend (Corriere dello Sport)

Napoli are keen on a deal for out-of-favour Barcelona defender Aleix Vidal this summer (Mundo Deportivo)

Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Gonzalo Higuain in a swap deal that would see Alvaro Morata return to Juventus

Federico Chiesa’s father, Enrico, has denied claims his son will leave Fiorentina and sign for either Inter Milan or Napoli this summer (Calciomercato)

Inter defender Milan Skriniar has all-but guaranteed both he and Mauro Icardi will still be at the club next season (Premium Sport)

Former England boss Fabio Capello has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo wants a sensational return to Manchester United this summer (Sky Italia)

Sevilla have identified Getafe defender Djene Dakonam as their number one transfer target should Clement Lenglet leave for Barcelona (Marca)