Euro Paper Talk: Atletico relent on Arsenal target; Karius future clear

Loris Karius has received a ringing endorsement from Besiktas, while Arsenal have been boosted in their efforts to prise away a star Atletico Madrid midfielder, according to Monday’s European papers.

 

BESIKTAS MAKE DECISION ON FUTURE OF ON-LOAN KARIUS

Besiktas president Fikret Orman has spoken of his wish to see Loris Karius join the club in a permanent deal from Liverpool.

The German goalkeeper signed a two-year loan deal with the Turkish giants during the summer and they have the option to make the deal permanent in 2020.

And now Orman has admitted he already wants to see the keeper make the move permanent after branding Karius an excellent shot-stopper.

Orman told Turkish outlet Harberle: “Karius is an excellent keeper, God willing we will sign him on a permanent transfer. Give Karius some time is all I’m saying. Karius has a lot of work to do but give him time.”

Karius has conceded 16 goals in 11 appearances for Besiktas so far this season and reports last month claimed the Turkish outfit wanted to send the goalkeeper back to Liverpool.

However, in response to those rumours, Orman continued: “Thesse stories are nonsense.”

 

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PEREZ SCARED AS NEYMAR SAGA TAKES TURN

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly worried that Manchester United or Manchester City will win the race to sign Neymar.

That is according to Spanish outlet Diario Gol, who claim that both Manchester clubs are ready to do battle to make the Brazil international their next marquee signing.

Perez though is desperate to land a new Galactico, with Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio all struggling to find form since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar shocked the footballing world last year when he traded the Nou Camp for Paris, joining French giants PSG in a world-record €222million (£194m) deal.

However, speculation has never been far away that the former Barcelona man is unhappy in Ligue 1 and wants a return to Spain, with moves to both Barca and Real Madrid touted as options.

It seems that he may have more options than just LaLiga though, as Manchester City reportedly reached out to him to gauge interest over a possible move, while it was also suggested Manchester United were ready to make the 26-year-old their next superstar.

 

AND THE REST

 

Thomas Partey’s form is proving a headache for Atletico Madrid as they cannot offer him the playing time he wants. Arsenal are said to be plotting a January swoop and it’s reported Diego Simeone may decide to cash in (Marca)

Adrien Rabiot has been upset by the treatment he has received by PSG on late, which could force him closer to the exit door

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has called his Genoa counterpart Enrico Preziosi over the availability of Krzysztof Piatek (Corriere dello Sport)

Genoa look set to stick with Ivan Juric, at least until after the derby with Sampdoria later this month (Gazzetta dello Sport)

AC Milan are considering a January move for Napoli midfielder Amadou Diawara, with Lucas Biglia ruled out of action through injury until next March (Calciomercato)

Chelsea and Man United will compete with PSG for the signature of highly-rated 16-year-old Heritier Deyonge (L’Equipe)

Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari is willing to let Marcos Llorente leave the club in January. Sevilla, Deportivo Alaves and Real Betis are all interested in the Spanish midfielder, but Espanyol are in pole position (Don Balon)

Arsenal and Liverpool have been boosted in their hopes of landing Isco by Real Madrid’s appointment of Santiago Solari (Don Balon)

Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato has denied reports linking him with a return to AC Milan during the January transfer window

Santiago Solari has already seen a caretaker spell as Real Madrid boss turned into a permanent agreement (Marca)

Lionel Messi has urged Barcelona to target a €45m January deal for Juventus right-back Joao Cancelo amid the Argentinian’s ongoing doubts about the form of Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo (Don Balon)

AC Milan are exploring the possibility of signing Aaron Ramsey in January and hope the Ivan Gazidis connection can help broker a deal with Arsenal (Corriere dello Sport)

Gerard Pique has told Barcelona they need to collectively help Ousmane Dembele find his best form for Barcelona amid fresh talk linking him with a January move to Liverpool 

Real Madrid are plotting January swoops for Santos star Rodrygo, River Plate’s Exequiel Palacios and defender Mario Hermoso, of Espanyol (Marca)

Serie A trio AC Milan, Fiorentina and Sampdoria are chasing Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini (Calciomercato)

Luis Suarez exchanged some angry words with Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique after they had suffered a surprise 4-3 home defeat to Real Betis on Sunday (Movistar)

Under-fire Monaco manager Thierry Henry admitted there was a gulf in quality between his side and Paris Saint-Germain after falling 4-0 at home to the runaway Ligue 1 leaders (L’Equipe)

Real Madrid are set to appoint interim boss Santiago Solari as their coach until the end of the season (AS)

Leonardo Bonucci has admitted he was “surprised” not to start in Juventus’ win over AC Milan on Sunday night (Sky Italia)

EXCLUSIVE: RB Leipzig set to offer Nick Powell a pre-contract to Wigan’s Nick Powell in January

Juventus are plotting a possible reunion with Arturo Vidal, who has struggled to settle since moving to Barcelona over the summer (Le10 Sport)

 

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