Euro Paper Talk: Madrid chief alarmed as Liverpool, Man Utd prepare bids for target

Liverpool and Man Utd have readied bids for a top Real Madrid target, while Spurs show interest in a rising Juventus starlet – both in the latest Euro Paper Talk.

REDS, MAN UTD EYE DEFENDER RAID

Liverpool and Manchester United are ready to submit firm offers in the hunt to sign Villarreal defender Pau Torres, according to a report.

The Spaniard has supposedly been on the radar of a host of Premier League clubs for some time, including the two North West rivals.

According to Don Balon, Barcelona are in the running alongside Real Madrid. Ronald Koeman is aware of the ‘irregularity’ of Barca players like Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti.

Madrid, meanwhile want to find a successor to Sergio Ramos. But to have any chance of landing Torres, Los Blancos must offload players of their own.

Indeed, Eder Militao, Marcelo Isco and Mariano Diaz are all facing the axe.

But as well as the task of raising funds to afford the move, Madrid chief Florentino Perez is reportedly aware that Liverpool, United and Manchester City are all ‘ready to make interesting offers’.

What’s more, Torres’ current €50million (£44million) market value could increase as time goes by, adding more uncertainty for Perez.

Seven-time Spain international Torres has played every minute of Villarreal’s LaLiga campaign this term. He has also chipped in with two goals, with his club currently fifth in LaLiga.

The 24-year-old rose to prominence last season, when he showed similar consistency by playing 34 of 38 top-flight games.

But Liverpool and United both look unlikely to bring a new centre-back with what remains of the January window. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently hinted for a second time that he would like a new addition.


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AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Radu Dragusin Juventus

Tottenham have shown strong interest in a deal to sign rising Juventus starlet Radu Dragusin. (Calciomercarto)

Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri’s agent has poured further cold water on the potential of his client moving to West Ham. (ABC Sevilla)

Marseille boss Andre Villas-Boas is not happy that he found out via the press of Morgan Sanson’s impending departure to Aston Villa. (L’Equipe)

Fiorentina will make a take-it-or-leave-it loan offer for Lucas Torreira featuring an option to buy. However, the midfielder’s current club, Atletico Madrid, could reject the proposal. (La Nazione)

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe is beginning to feel convinced about a move to Liverpool. (Le Parisien)

ERIKSEN, DZEKO LINKS CONTINUE

Christian Eriksen

A swap deal between Roma and Inter for Edin Dzeko and Christian Eriksen has been proposed. This comes after clubs in England, such as West Ham, refused to take on Eriksen’s wages. (FC Inter News)

However, striker Dzeko has interest from Everton and former club Manchester City. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Eriksen is more likely to end up at Arsenal involving a swap deal involving Torreira. (Tuttosport)

Meanwhile, the Gunners are closing in on a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler. (Todofichajes)

Fiorentina are now only willing to sell Leeds target Erick Pulgar if they bring in a replacement. Indeed, the Italian club’s stance has changed from earlier in the transfer window. (Corrierre Fiorentino)

ALLEGRI NEVER ON CHELSEA RADAR

Former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has never made contact with Chelsea about taking over. Instead, as widely reported, Thomas Tuchel is likely to replace Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge. (Fabrizio Romano)

But Allegri is on Roma’s radar as Paulo Fonseca faces questions over his future in the Italian capital. (Todofichajes)

Real Madrid will move ahead of Manchester United in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. (Caught Offside)

Meanwhile, Madrid are considering activating the buy-back clause in Sergio Reguilon’s Tottenham contract. (Sport)

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has shut down talk of a LaLiga triumph for his side. Los Rojoblancos moved seven points clear at the summit after Sunday’s 3-1 win over Valencia. (Marca)