Euro Paper Talk: Arsenal want to pair Rice with classy £69m Sporting star in brand new midfield engine room; Real Madrid to raid Leeds for paltry striker deal

Arsenal are willing to fork out £69million to bring in an attacking Sporting Lisbon midfielder with 35 goal involvements last season, while Leeds could offload a striker to Real Madrid for just €5m this summer – all in Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk.

ARTETA TARGETS MIDFIELD GOAL THREAT IN BIG GUNNERS MOVE

Arsenal are targeting a summer move for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Pedro Goncalves as Mikel Arteta looks to revamp his engine room this summer.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a superb 2022/23 campaign, scoring 20 goals and adding 15 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions.

Indeed, two of those goal contributions came against Arsenal in the Europa League last 16 as Sporting won on penalties, including a wondergoal from the halfway line.

And it appears that Arteta was impressed and is ready to make a concrete move for Goncalves, as reported by O Jogo.

The Gunners will not have it all their own way though in the chase for the player, with Newcastle and Aston Villa both keen on striking a deal.

The Portugal international, who has a release clause of €80million (£69m), also has the ability to play in several midfield roles.

Indeed, Goncalves can play on the right-wing, left-wing and in the number eight position and would be a perfect foil for Declan Rice, if Arsenal are able to snap up the West Ham man too.

Goncalves could pair up with Rice in Arsenal midfield

Rice is currently being viewed as a replacement for Thomas Partey, while Granit Xhaka is also on his way out of The Emirates, leaving the door open for another addition.

Goncalves would fit into Xhaka’s role but could also play further forward in Martin Odegaard’s position.

In some ways he is considered as very much like Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes, given the goals and assists he provides and would be a huge signing for the Gunners if they can pull it off.

REAL EYE SHOCK MOVE FOR LEEDS FORWARD

Real Madrid are considering signing Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno to strengthen their attack after the exit of Karim Benzema. The frontman is reported to have a €5m relegation release clause in his Elland Road deal.  (COPE)

Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is attracting interest from other top clubs in Europe, including the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City. (Sky Sports Deutschland)

Al Ahli are interested in signing Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez. (CBS)

Former Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio is set to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but the deal has been delayed over the last few days. (Diario AS)

Sergio Busquets has held talks with Inter Miami about the possibility of following Lionel Messi to the Major League Soccer franchise. (ESPN)

Real Madrid are in advanced talks to sign forward Joselu on a season-long loan from Espanyol. (ESPN)

MORE EURO TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham have ‘proposed’ Bryan Gil ‘plus a small financial amount’ to Sevilla in a swap deal for goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. (Vamos Mi Sevilla FC)

Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is reportedly happy to stay at the club for the coming years, but his contract situation remains unresolved. (Marca)

PSV Eindhoven director Marcel Brands has admitted that it seems unlikely they will be able to sign defender Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton this summer. (Dagblad)

AC Milan are considering making a summer move for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Lazio and AS Roma are battling for the signature of Sassuolo winger Domenico Berardi. (Calciomercato)

Brighton want to sell Tariq Lamptey this summer and are not interested in sending the defender out on loan. (Record)

Villarreal are close to winning the race to sign Barcelona youngster Ilias Akhomach. (Sport)

Celta Vigo are eyeing a move for Brentford midfielder Sergi Canós after seeing a transfer fall by the wayside last year. (Grada 3)

Barcelona youngster Pablo Torre has been unable to prove himself at Camp Nou this season, and looks likely to head out on loan next season with Valencia a major option. (Sport)