Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool given free run at €50m Italian target

Nicola Barella TEAMtalk

Liverpool are the clear favourites to sign an Italian star after three competitors quelled their interest, while Manchester United face serious competition for a €35m Spanish defender, according to Monday’s European papers.

 

LIVERPOOL GIVEN CLEAR RUN TO SIGN CAGLIARI STAR

Jurgen Klopp has been given a triple boost in his efforts to bring Nicolo Barella to Liverpool in January.

The midfielder has emerged as one of Italian football’s most in-demand stars and has been linked with the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan in January.

But while the 21-year-old has previously suggested he would be open to staying in Italy, it seems a move to Liverpool looks increasingly likely.

That’s because Juventus have decided their transfer priorities lie elsewhere – most likely the Serie A champions will move again for Manchester United target Sergej Milnkovic-Savic – while both Milan and Inter have decided the €50m asking price is beyond what they are willing to spend.

That’s according to Italian publication La Nuova Sardegna, who also claim the asking price is unlikely to deter Klopp, who will ask Liverpool’s money men to sanction the deal and bring the talented young star to Merseyside in January.

Klopp is keen to strike when the winter window opens before interest in Barella – who earned his second cap for Italy on Sunday evening as Poland were beaten 1-0 – reaches fever pitch and his asking price is raised up higher.

 

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AND THE REST

Alex Grimaldo TEAMtalk

Juventus are ready to open talks for Manchester United bid for €35m-rated Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo (Calciomercato)

Real Madrid have put a €100m transfer limit on the signing of Eden Hazard and will wait for the player’s contract to run down before making their move (AS)

Manchester United will make a world-record swoop for Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen if they lose David De Gea, amid talk PSG are planning to move for the Spain No 1 (Don Balon)

Fiorentina striker Giovanni Simeone – linked with a January move to Tottenham – has outlined his ambitions of playing for his father Diego at Atletico Madrid (Fox Sports)

Giovanni Simeone TEAMtalk

Juventus are ready to spring a huge surprise by making a January move for struggling Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches (Rai Sports)

Liverpool and Barcelona target Adrien Rabiot is set to perform a U-turn and sign a new deal at PSG after being convinced by Thomas Tuchel to stay (L’Equipe)

Leeds United loanee Caleb Ekuban has vowed to fight for his place in the Trabzonspor side after struggling to make much of an impressions so far during his time in Turkey (Turkish football)

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Vinicius Junior has spoken of his regret that he never got to play with the world’s best player in Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid (Marca)

Tottenham will try to fight off Real Madrid’s interest in Christian Eriksen by offering the midfielder a new contract (Mundo Deportivo)

Ernesto Valverde is hesitating over extending his contract with Barcelona (Sport)

Bayern Munich lead the chase to sign Roma winger Cengiz Under, who is also being tracked by Arsenal and Tottenham (Tuttomercato)

Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars has insisted that star defender Matthijs de Ligt will not be leaving the club in January (De Telegraaf)

Antoine Griezmann says ‘it’d be a dream to write myself into Atletico Madrid’s history by winning the Ballon d’Or’ (Marca)

Roma striker Edin Dzeko has refused to rule out a future return to the Premier League (Sky Sports Italia)

Inter will make another attempt to sign Luka Modric from Real Madrid (Corriere dello Sport)

Tiemoue Bakayoko has been given until the end of November to prove his worth to AC Milan following a disappointing start to his loan move from Chelsea (Corriere dello Sport)

Mexico international Diego Lainez is a target for Roma, with the Serie A side ready to offer around €18m for the winger (Il Tempo)

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has emerged as a potential transfer target for Atletico Madrid (AS)