Euro Paper Talk: Abramovich told to smash transfer record Liverpool set for key Chelsea target

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, September 2021

Chelsea will have to make a Bundesliga star his club’s record sale to snap him up, while a double Tottenham swoop is on the cards – both in all the latest Euro Paper Talk.

CHELSEA EYE RECORD NKUNKU TRANSFER

RB Leipzig want Chelsea target Christopher Nkunku to rank as their record sale ahead of Liverpool’s Naby Keita, according to a report.

The Bundesliga club have a reputation of selling their best talent, but they do so having turned those stars into some of Europe’s hottest prospects. Indeed, in the most recent transfer window, they let go of Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Marcel Sabitzer.

Konate moved to Liverpool and the Reds snapped his team-mate Keita up for – as Bild reports – a previous club-record fee of around €60million (£51million).

The Guinea international duly became Leipzig’s record departure and he still holds that mantle. However, Bild adds that they want Nkunku, one of the latest hot prospects at the club, to beat that mark.

The 23-year-old, who plays as an attacking midfielder or a wide forward, has netted nine goals in 10 games this season.

Chelsea in talks with RB Leipzig for Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea in talks with RB Leipzig for Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea have reportedly opened talks with RB Leipzig over Manchester City target Christopher Nkunku, with more updates on Monaco midfielder Aurelian Tchouameni and forward Timo Werner.

Chelsea, led by owner Roman Abramovich, have subsequently registered interest alongside Manchester City.

In fact, City supposedly stepped up their interest after Nkunku scored a hat-trick against them in the Champions League.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, worked with the Frenchman when the pair were at Paris Saint-Germain together.

Nevertheless, Nkunku still has three years left on the five-year deal he signed upon leaving PSG in 2019.

He also has no release clause, so Bild point out that Leipzig are in a strong negotiating position over his exit.


Assessing who will be the next Premier League manager to get the sack


AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Nahitan Nandez Cagliari Tottenham

Tottenham are ready to close a deal for Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez when the January transfer window opens. (CalcioNapoli24)

Manchester United are firmly in the hunt to sign Dusan Vlahovic following his refusal to sign a new Fiorentina contract. Still, he would cost €75million (£64million) in the upcoming transfer window. (Corriere dello Sport)

But Spurs are the favourites to sign the Serbian striker and chairman Daniel Levy is ready to invest. (Calciomercato)

Barcelona could still sign exit-linked Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana. Previous reports have claimed that Inter Milan have already agreed a deal, but Barca remain a transfer candidate. (Mundo Deportivo)

Raheem Sterling is a more realistic target for the La Liga club than Dani Olmo because of Olmo’s important role at RB Leipzig. (AS)

DORTMUND HAVE ERLING HAALAND PLAN

Erling Haaland celebrating a Borussia Dortmund goal with team-mate Jude Bellingham 2021

Borussia Dortmund are trying to convince Man Utd-linked Erling Haaland to stay until 2023. (Bild)

Arsenal, West Ham and Wolves are all watching centre-back Dani Vivian’s rise at Athletic Bilbao with intent. (Fichajes)

Roma are in talks with defender Gianluca Mancini about a new contract. (Calciomercato)

AC Milan forward Rafael Leao is also in line for a new deal at his club. (Calciomercato)

EVERTON MAN WANTED NEXT SUMMER

Cenk Tosun Everton

Besiktas wanted to sign Everton striker Cenk Tosun in January, but they will now wait until the end of the season. (Sabah)

Flamengo have a purchase clause in place for Man Utd loanee Andreas Pereira, but the figure is higher than first thought. (UOL)

Wolfsburg midfielder Josuha Guilavogui has said that he feels “happy” to have repelled transfer interest from Watford this summer. (Sport Buzzer)

PSG CONSIDERED SUMMER SALAH MOVE

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah 2021

Paris Saint-Germain pondered a move for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah this summer, but decided to stick with Kylian Mbappe. (Fabrizio Romano)

Nevertheless, Mbappe’s interview where he revealed his desire to move to Real Madrid has frustrated PSG further. (AS)

Leeds’ Brazilian forward Raphinha has opened up on discussions with Jorginho about representing Italy. (Globo Esporte)