Euro Paper Talk: Arsenal talks to sign £120m star with second deal for Euro 2020 winner lined up; Liverpool in picture to sign £88m defender

Arsenal are favourites to sign an elite Milan star, while a second signing from Serie A could follow, Liverpool are in the picture for a new £88m defender, while Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk is tipping Chelsea to beat Ten Hag to a top Man Utd target.

RAFAEL LEAO EMERGES AS TOP ARSENAL TARGET

Arsenal are reportedly leading the hunt to sign Rafael Leao amid growing claims over a summer departure at AC Milan.

The Portuguese star is regarded as one of Serie A’s best players, having been involved in 67 goals in 142 appearances for the Rossonneri. That tally, which includes 44 goals, means he has a goal involvement every 2.1 matches he plays in.

However, the 23-year-old’s deal at the San Siro is due to expire in summer 2024. And talks over a renewal have been ongoing for several months.

Sadly for Milan, they are no closer to finding common ground with Leao. And il Gazzetta dello Sport claims they have never been so far apart to reaching an agreement.

As such, rumours are growing in Italy that Milan will have to part company with their star man this summer.

They have been stung too many times in the past with their star players leaving on frees. Indeed, with Franck Kessie, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu all departing at the end of their deals, Milan have seemingly learned their lesson.

Chelsea are among those strongly linked with Leao. However, their recent signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk appears to have ended that chase. Manchester City are also keen too, but recent sanctions against them places any such move in doubt.

As such, Italian journalist Rudy Galetti claims it is Arsenal now leading the chase.

Arsenal want Rafael Leao and Manuel Locatelli

And while his deal contains an exit clause worth £120m (€135m), it’s believed Arsenal can strike a deal in the region of £80.5m (€90m).

Talks over his future are being led by Jorge Mendes. And with Milan failing to reach an agreement, the super-agent is now looking to steer his client to the Premier League.

Leao might not be the only player Arsenal bring to the club from Serie A either this summer.

And according to Calciomercato, the Gunners are ready to rekindle interest in signing Juventus star Manuel Locatelli.

The Euro 2020 winner was on their radar in summer 2021 when he was up for grabs as Sassuolo.

Signing on an initial loan, Juventus made the move permanent during summer 2022.

However, his deal is currently due to expire in summer 2024. They are likely to miss out on European competition next season, having been hit with a 15-point penalty for transfer irregularities.

As such, Calciomercato believes Locatelli is one star who could be sacrificed as a result. And they reckon a switch to Arsenal at the second time of asking now looks on the cards for the 25-year-old Italian.

READ MOREHeartbreak for Moises Caicedo as Edu lines up monumental £110m deal for dream Thomas Partey partner

LIVERPOOL READY TO PUSH FOR JOSKO GVARDIOL SIGNING

Liverpool are firmly in the mix to sign Josko Gvardiol this summer, despite his £88m (€100m) asking price at RB Leipzig. (Calciomercato)

Manchester United are ready to put a lot of money on the table to secure a summer deal to sign Ansu Fati from Barcelona. (Sport)

Alessandro Bastoni is refusing to sign a new Inter Milan deal, giving Tottenham renewed hope of a summer deal. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Barcelona still plan to sell one of Ousmane Dembele or Raphinha this summer to raise transfer funds. (AS)

Atletico Madrid are emerging as surprise contenders to sign N’Golo Kante amid claims Chelsea will let him leave as a free agent this summer. (Mundo Deportivo)

Diego Simeone’s side are also considering a move to sign former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid. (Marca)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be allowed to leave Chelsea amid claims he is in talks over a shock move to MLS. (Tom Bogert)

Liverpool links to Bilbao midfielder clarified

Liverpool and Chelsea are yet to officially enquire about reported interest in Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet. (Fabrizio Romano)

Monaco’s signing of Takumi Minamino over the summer is branded a ‘publicity stunt’ with the forward yet to shine for the Ligue 1 side. (L’Equipe)

Juventus are looking to sign Matteo Kovacic in a swap deal for Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria. (Tuttosport)

Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo will fly to Turkey on Tuesday to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Galatasaray. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Roma are considering the free-transfer signing of Isco to replace Zaniolo. (Calciomercato)

Ralph Hasenhuttl is emerging as the leading candidate to become the new manager of Hoffenheim following Andre Breitenreiter’s sacking. (Sky Deutschland)

Andoni Iraola is refusing to comment on speculation suggesting he is Leeds United’s No 1 choice to become new manager. (various)

CHELSEA READY TO HIJACK MAN UTD MOVE FOR DIOGO COSTA

Chelsea are ready to prioritise a summer move for Diogo Costa. The Porto goalkeper also features strongly on Man Utd’s summer wishlist. (90min)

Diogo Costa Porto stopper

Inter Milan are tracking Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo as a possible replacement for Slovakia centre-back Milan Skriniar. (Tuttomercatoweb)

Diego Simeone is reportedly feeling annoyance at Memphis Depay’s start to life as an Atletico Madrid player. (Football Espana)

PSG are emerging as favourites to sign Bernardo Silva following claims he wants to leave Man City this summer. (Le 10 Sport)

Juventus are denying reports they are looking to terminate the contract of Paul Pogba following the Frenchman’s troubled start to his second spell at the club. (Fabrizio Romano)

Getafe have tied midfielder Mauro Arambarri to a new deal following claims Valencia, Sevilla and Real Betis were eyeing the Uruguayan. (various)

Manchester United are willing to sell Anthony Martial to help fund summer plans to sign a new striker and amid claims Victor Osimhen is emerging as their top target. (Fabrizio Romano)