Euro Paper Talk: United v Liverpool for Bundesliga CB; Pep’s Isco plan

Manchester United will battle AC Milan and Liverpool for a young France defender, while Atletico Madrid have struck an agreement to sign one of Europe’s upcoming midfielders, according to Monday’s European papers.

 

MAN UTD AND MILAN JOIN SCRAMBLE FOR LEIPZIG DEFENDER

Manchester United and AC Milan are reported to have joined the clamour of clubs interested in signing RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano.

Calciomercato claim the two clubs have both sent scouts to check on the player’s progress in recent weeks, with the French defender also in the radar of Liverpool, who are weighing him up as alternative to Virgil van Dijk.

Despite being only 19, Upamecano has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s leading centre-halves and has not missed a minute of Champions League action for his club.

United have tracked the defender since his days with Valenciennes and it was claimed they saw a £323,000 bid for the then 16-year-old rejected in the summer of 2015.

However, the player is valued at around the €30million mark now, and interested clubs will hope to move soon with Leipzig hoping to tie the player down to a new deal.

 

 

SCHALKE MAKE GORETZKA CONTRACT OFFER

Schalke appear to have made Leon Goretzka a huge offer to keep the in-demand midfielder at the club.

Goretzka’s future has been the subject of much speculation with Liverpool, Barcelona and Juventus all interested in the powerful 22-year-old central midfielder.

The 12-cap Germany international enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Bundesliga last term, making 41 appearances and scoring eight times. He has backed that form up this season with four goals in 10 appearances and Schalke are desperate to extend his contract, which will expire next summer.

And Schalke’s sporting director Christian Heidel is hopeful the club can keep hold of the former Bochum man, who has six goals for the national team.

“We are convinced that we have to have him stay here without putting pressure,” Heidel told Sky Deutschland. “We are trying to convince him, even in the economic aspect. We’ve made the most of possible efforts, we cannot do more.”

 

MAN CITY SET SIGHTS ON MEGA ISCO DEAL

Manchester City will renew their interest in Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco next summer, according to reports in Spain.

The Blues have been linked with the Spain star at regular intervals over the past few seasons, but the player has now jumped to the top of manager Pep Guardiola’s wish list, claims Don Balon.

The outlet claims Guardiola rates the Spaniard so highly, he’s prepared to spend whatever it takes to bring the player to the club from Real Madrid and pair him up in a dream creative partnership with Kevin De Bruyne.

The former Barcelona manager thinks he can convince Isco, who has been linked with Juventus and PSG, to come to the Premier League, despite having just signed a new contract in Madrid.

However, despite Real’s struggles, Isco has enjoyed a stellar season and City could be forced to spend a club-record fee of £80million to convince Real Madrid to sell.

AND THE REST

Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement in principle to sign Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira in the January transfer window for a €40m fee (Football Italia)

Man Utd are willing to meet the €80m release clause for Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler next summer (Don Balon)

Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting director, Antero Henrique, has made Philippe Coutinho the club’s priority signing, and will challenge Barcelona for his signature next year (Telefoot)

Juventus are scouting Sampdoria star Lucas Torreira who scored his first two Serie A goals yesterday (Tuttosport)

Napoli midfielder Jorginho is emerging as a top transfer target for Arsenal, with the Gunners hoping to sign the Brazilian in January, though they would be prepared to wait until next summer (Tuttomercato)

Juventus have once again met with Emre Can’s agent, this time in Milan, to discuss the finer details of the German’s expected move from Liverpool (Tuttosport)

PSG will battle Porto, Benfica, and Ajax for the €12million signing of Fluminense midfielder Wendel (Telefoot)

Leicester City are poised to make a January move to sign PSG outcast Hatem Ben Arfa. The French winger is yet to make an appearance for the club this season and has been told he can leave the capital club (Le Parisien)

Fenerbahce are emerging as favourites ahead of Arsenal, Inter Milan and Monaco to sign Barcelona’s Arda Turan in January (Mynet)

Kostas Manolas is expected to recover in time for Roma’s Champions League clash with Chelsea on Tuesday evening (Corriere dello Sport)

Bayern Munich have confirmed they will try and sign a back-up striker for Robert Lewandowski in the January transfer window (Bild)

Inter Milan will make a move for Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala in January (Tuttosport)

Eliaquim Mangala: Leaves Man City on loan

Gennaro Gattuso is the leading candidate to take over at AC Milan if Vincenzo Montella faces the sack (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Struggling Serie A giants AC Milan are reportedly eyeing a €25m January move for Udinese’s Czech Republic midfielder Jakub Jankto, who is also being tracked by Everton and Tottenham (Calciomercato)