Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd gifted glorious chance to sign Barcelona attacker with two Ten Hag favourites impacted; Tottenham open summer talks over Napoli star

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd manager, during pre-season friendly - Manchester United v Rayo Vallecano - Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

Manchester United are readying a summer approach for Raphinha that will impact two current Red Devils stars, Tottenham are already in talks over a summer move for a Napoli star, while Wednesday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Man City are plotting a ludicrous triple deal.

RAPHINHA TO MAN UTD TALK GATHERS PACE

Barcelona are increasingly likely to be forced into the sale of a major star this summer, increasing speculation of a move for Raphinha.

The Brazil winger only moved to the Nou Camp in the summer in £58m deal from Leeds. However, he has not quite had the impact expected of him for the Blaugrana. Indeed, he currently has two goals and five assists from 24 appearances so far.

While not a bad return, it is down from the lofty expectations at Barcelona. As a result, Barca are reportedly considering his sale this summer.

Indeed, United were reportedly looking at a possible move for him on Transfer Deadline Day, per reports.

However, no move was forthcoming for Raphinha, meaning he will see out the season in La Liga. That said, multiple sources claim Raphinha is playing for his Barcelona future over the second half of the season. And with competition tough for places, he has reportedly told Xavi he only wants to be considered to play on the right-side of their attack.

With that also Ousmane Dembele’s preferred position, Raphinha may find his game-time limited.

To further talk he could be sold this summer, Cadena Ser claims financial issues will also force a major sale this summer.

Per their report, the Spanish title chasers are some €200m over FFP limits again this season. And with the club not yet able to register new deals for Ronald Araujo and Marcos Alonso, it has led to speculation that Gavi may have to be sold.

That is a scenario Barca would do everything possible to avoid. And it seems Raphinha is being pinpointed as their most sellable asset in the likely event a player will need to be sold.

Ten Hag has Man Utd plan for Raphinha involving Rashford

Manchester United are, however, by several accounts likely to target a big-name striker signing this summer. To that end, a move for Raphinha may not make much sense.

Per reports, though, United plan to accommodate Raphinha’s arrival by moving Marcus Rashford into the centre forward position. The England star is enjoying a phenomenal season under Ten Hag with 18 goals and four assists to his name.

Often playing off the left of attack, Ten Hag could move Rashford into a more central position going forwards.

Barcelona, meanwhile, would reportedly seek a fee in the region of £70m for Raphinha. In order to reduce that outlay and in the process offering Barca an immediate replacement, reports claim Anthony Elanga could move the other way.

Elanga was subject to deadline day interest from both Everton and the Blaugrana, only for Ten Hag to slap down both approaches.

TOTTENHAM BEGIN TALKS OVER SUMMER MOVE FOR ALEX MERET

Tottenham are already in talks over a summer deal for Alex Meret with Antonio Conte deciding the Napoli man will be Hugo Lloris’ successor. (Ciro Venerato, via Tutto Napoli)

Jude Bellingham and his entourage are ruling out a summer move to Chelsea after expressing concern at their erratic transfer spending. (SportsBILD)

Newcastle will ‘get involved’ in the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer if they can secure Champions League football. (SportsBILD)

Inter Milan failed with a late bid to sign Harry Maguire – but Erik ten Hag is seemingly willing to consider his sale at Man Utd this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)

Marco van Basten is a “bit bothered” by Wout Weghorst’s move to Man Utd and claims the deal gives him big “doubts”. (Voetbal Primeur)

 

PSG’s bid to sign Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea looks to be over amid details of a repeated blunder by the Blues coming to light. (RMC Sport / L’Equipe)

MANCHESTER CITY SET SIGHTS ON INCREDIBLE TRIPLE OUTLAY

Manchester City are ready to go all out to sign Bellingham, James Maddison and Rafael Leao this summer, with talk of £100m man Jack Grealish being sacrificed. (various)

Reported Tottenham, Leeds and Bournemouth target Nicolo Zaniolo is considering suing Roma over a chaotic January window. He saw his efforts to leave come to nothing and was also subject to something of a media massacre. (Il Messaggero)

Real Madrid board member Catalina Minarro suggests Florentino Perez will try again to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer. (Mundo Deportivo)

Real Madrid will re-sign left-back Fran Garcia this summer after taking up the £8.9m (€10m) buy-back clause in his Rayo Vallecano deal. (Cadena Cope)

Barcelona saw a cheeky deadline day loan offer for Sofyan Amrabat fail with Fiorentina only willing to consider his sale. (Sport)

Inter Milan will look to try again in the summer to sign Benjamin Pavard with Bayern Munich rejecting their deadline day advances. (L’Equipe)

 

Chelsea tried and failed to add Inter star Nicolo Barella to the British record addition of Enzo Fernandez on transfer deadline day. (Tuttomercatoweb)

MORE MAJOR TRANSFER MISERY FOR EVERTON – THIS TIME WITH GIROUD

 

Everton saw a last-gasp and significant offer to sign Olivier Giroud from AC Milan fail, capping off a miserable deadline day for Toffees boss Sean Dyche. (Calciomercato)

Olivier Giroud of AC Milan looks on as Min-Jae Kim of SSC Napoli

Diego Llorente calls his move to Roma from Leeds a “big step forward in his career” having signed for the Giallorossi on loan. (Roma website)

Erling Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimienta, claims the striker chose Man City over Real Madrid due to his personal affection for the club. (AS)

AC Milan deny there are tensions over talks at extending Rafael Leao’s contract at the San Siro. Both Chelsea and Manchester City are considering summer approaches. (Football Italia)

Milan Skriniar made the choice not to leave Inter Milan on deadline day and will instead leave as a free agent this summer. (Sport Mediaset)

Daniel Levy was forced into a significant late transfer sacrifice to push Tottenham’s signing of Pedro Porro over the line. (Fabrizio Romano)