Euro Paper Talk: Barcelona slap tempting fee on Man Utd target as fire sale starts

Barcelona name their price for a Manchester United-linked defender, while Arsenal reveal to AC Milan their intentions for a midfield ace – all in the latest Euro Paper Talk.

 

BARCELONA SET UMTITI PRICE

Barcelona have set a €30million (£26million) price tag for Manchester United-linked defender Samuel Umtiti, according to reports.

Umtiti, a World Cup winner in 2018 with his native France, has been a solid addition for Barca since his arrival from Lyon in 2016.

However, since signing a new deal at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, the 26-year-old has been plagued by knee problems which have restricted his game time.

Indeed, the centre-back made only 15 appearances last term and has made 16 so far this time round.

Previous reports claimed that Barca are looking to balance their books in the next transfer window, having accumulated the biggest wage bill in world football.

One player who could be sold is Umtiti and Sport reports that Barca will ask interested clubs for €30million if they want to sign the defender.

The report adds that Umtiti could be convinced on a move to United, given that fellow France star Paul Pogba is on the books at Old Trafford.

 

AND THE REST

Arsenal are unwilling to offer more than €20million in their efforts to sign AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie (MilanNews24)

Milan could step up their efforts to sign Sassuolo’s Jeremie Boga this summer in a bid to bolster their attacking options (MilanNews.it)

Reported Tottenham target Guillermo Maripan has revealed that it is his dream to play in the Premier League (Radio Cooperativa)

Bournemouth are interested in a move for Real Madrid youngster Oscar Rodriguez, who will be allowed to leave in the upcoming transfer window (Onda Cero)

Inter Milan are becoming more interested in signing striker Sergio Aguero from Manchester City if Lautaro Martinez leaves (FC Inter News)

 

Former Leicester boss Claude Puel – now in charge of Nantes – is interested in bringing Nampalys Mendy back to Ligue 1 (Le10 Sport)

Penarol have not received any offers from Manchester City for youngster Facundo Pellistri, contrary to previous reports (Ovacion Digital)

City are keen on signing Barcelona right-back Nelson Semedo to replace Joao Cancelo, who has lost his place in Guardiola’s side (Mundo Deportivo)

Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki turned down an approach from Arsenal that would see him earn more than he will when his contract with Real Madrid kicks in (Defensa Central)

Estudiantes chief Agustin Alayes has expressed his own desire to keep Manchester United loanee Marcos Rojo at the club on a permanent basis (Infocielo)

Marcos Rojo TEAMtalk

Everton are in pole position to sign Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo, who is on loan at Schalke (Sport)

Jonjoe Kenny, also on loan at Schalke, has said he is only focused on the final eight games of the season amid speculation over his future at parent club Everton (Ruhr 24)

Newcastle have joined the Toffees in the race to sign FC Nordsjælland’s Mohammed Kudus (France Football)

Chelsea could sign Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic in a swap deal that would see Jorginho return to Serie A (Corrierre dello Sport)

 

Pjanic has told Juve, however, that his sole intention is to move to Barcelona if he does leave Turin (Mundo Deportivo)

AC Milan will demand at least €50million for left-back Theo Hernandez, amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain (Calciomercato)