Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool prepare offer near £35m for ‘irregular’ La Liga midfielder; Man City join race for Real Madrid star

Liverpool have found a new solution for their midfield and are willing to give a La Liga club a similar transfer fee to what they originally paid, while Man City could take advantage of Real Madrid doubts about a defender – all in Tuesday’s European transfer gossip.

RODRIGO DE PAUL BACK ON LIVERPOOL RADAR

Liverpool have added Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul to their lengthy list of targets in his position, according to a report from Spain.

De Paul is currently in his second season with Atletico, where his form has been described as “irregular”. That said, he was a member of the Argentina squad that won the World Cup in December, starting the final against France.

Previously earning a good reputation for how he played for Udinese in Italy, De Paul might need a move to get his club career back on track.

And a report by Spanish writer Miguel Angel De Miguel Casas is claiming that Liverpool are the latest contenders to take him away from Atletico.

The report suggests Liverpool would be willing to make an offer that would be close to matching the €40million fee that Atletico originally paid Udinese to sign De Paul in 2021.

In other words, Liverpool could go up to around £35m with their potential bid for De Paul.

Despite De Paul being under contract until 2026, Atletico will listen to suitable offers for him in the summer, by which time he will have turned 29.

READ MORE: Liverpool drop interest in proven midfielder as scouts suggest Klopp style wouldn’t suit him

The former Valencia man has only scored six goals in 76 appearances across his Atletico career so far. This season, he has played 28 times, scoring twice and assisting four more goals.

Last season, he started both of the games between Atletico and Liverpool in the Champions League group stage.

Even before then, De Paul had been on Liverpool’s radar. They were said to be in contact with his agent prior to his move from Udinese to Atletico.

Midfield evolution necessary for Liverpool

With Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain due to leave on free transfers in the summer, Liverpool now have a reason to reinvest in their midfield.

Arthur Melo will also be on his way out after his loan spell from Juventus. Finally, in a less clear case, James Milner only has a few months remaining on his contract.

Liverpool’s priorities in midfield will include Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Chelsea’s Mason Mount, but De Paul should be slightly more affordable.

Given the amount of departures that could occur, Liverpool will need multiple signings in midfield anyway. Therefore, De Paul – who was an attacking midfielder earlier in his career but has since honed his game in a slightly deeper role – could complement other options.

Only time will tell if any sources closer to home indicate whether or not there is anything concrete behind the revived links with De Paul.

MAN CITY JOIN RACE FOR REAL MADRID STRUGGLER

Manchester City have set their sights on the signing of struggling left-back Ferland Mendy from Real Madrid, rivalling Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain. (Foot Mercato)

Everton will offer a four-year contract to Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, who is due to become a free agent this summer, if they stay in the Premier League. (Jeunes Footeux)

Leeds United are looking at breakout Italy striker Mateo Retegui, who currently plays in Argentina for Tigre. (Rai Sport)

Newcastle will rival Tottenham and Arsenal for the signature of Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt. (Bild)

Juventus could offer Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria to Bayer Leverkusen in order to beat Man Utd to the signing of Jeremie Frimpong. (Calciomercato.it)

Liverpool will have a chance of signing Nicolo Barella to strengthen their midfield if Inter Milan fail to qualify for the Champions League. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

West Ham remain in contact for the signing of highly-rated Brazilian striker Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense. (Globo Esporte)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would be the preferred candidate for Real Madrid when they replace Carlo Ancelotti. (Le 10 Sport)

Aston Villa, Crystal Palace or West Ham could bring ex-Liverpool striker Divock Origi back to the Premier League after his struggles at AC Milan. (Calciomercato.it)

MESSI PSG EXIT TALK HEIGHTENS

Lionel Messi will have to leave Paris Saint-Germain if he doesn’t accept a significant wage cut. (L’Equipe)

Juventus have joined Tottenham and Man City in the race for Alessandro Bastoni if the defender doesn’t renew at Inter. (Tuttosport)

Ansu Fati is looking more likely to leave Barcelona than to stay with them. (Diario Sport)

The agent of Paulo Dybala has arrived in Italy to explore a contract renewal without a release clause at Roma. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel doesn’t want the Bundesliga champions to sign Joao Cancelo permanently from Man City. (Kicker)

Barcelona have decided to make Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Ronald Araujo untouchable in the upcoming transfer window. (Diario Sport)

Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio is not considering a move to Barcelona on a free transfer. (Cadena Cope)

Alexis Sanchez is likely to leave Marseille if they fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League. (La Provence)

Luis Enrique is eager to return to management and dreams of doing so in the Premier League. (Fabrizio Romano)

Chelsea are speaking to former Spain boss Enrique about replacing Graham Potter. (AS)

AND THE REST

Atletico Madrid have joined the race for Daichi Kamada, the attacking midfielder due to leave Eintracht Frankfurt for free in the summer. (Sky Sports Germany)

Roma want to lower their purchase option for Georginio Wijnaldum from PSG, as well as for the ex-Liverpool midfielder to reduce his wages. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Lyon want to extend the contract of right-back Sael Kumbedi so he can take over from Malo Gusto when the latter joins Chelsea in the summer. (Foot Mercato)

Zinedine Zidane would be open to PSG selling Neymar if he was to take charge of the club. (Mundo Deportivo)

RB Leipzig director Max Eberl has opened the door to another exit for Ilaix Moriba – currently on loan at Valencia – if he doesn’t want to play for them. (LVZ-Talk)

Lens attacker Lois Openda is on the radar of some Premier League clubs, as well as Inter and AC Milan. (Jeunes Footeux)

PSG are preparing to loan out young defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu and have already generated interest in him. (Foot Mercato)

Davide Ancelotti could leave his role assisting father Carlo at Real Madrid to start his own managerial career with Basel. (Marca)