Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd saving £10m by striking centre-back deal before Euro 2020
Manchester United will save themselves £10m if they complete a deal for a centre-back target before the start of Euro 2020, while a Serie A club is ready to turn to Jose Mourinho – both in Friday’s Euro Paper Talk.
TORRES TALK RAMPS UP AT MAN UTD
Manchester United are reportedly in a race against time to complete a deal for one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top transfer targets this summer.
The Red Devils still want to upgrade their defence, despite Eric Bailly penning a new deal, and Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres is a name at the top of their list.
Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane and Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde are also options. However, it looks as if the Red Devils have decided on Torres – although they will have to act quickly.
Indeed, Spanish radio show El Larguero (via the Daily Express) reports that United are now leading the race to sign the Spain international.
The report also states that United want to strike a deal before Torres joins up with the Spain squad for Euro 2020.
Spain’s first match of the delayed tournament is on 14 June, when they play Sweden in their opening Group E game.
United are eager to seal the deal, given that the release clause in Torres’ contract will rise by more than £10million if he does not move before the final 15 days of the transfer window.
April 30 Transfer Chatter: Sterling rift at City, Dortmund following another Englishman and Liverpool move ahead of Barcelona in forward hunt.
Raheem Sterling 'seething' in midweek with Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund chase another young English talent and Liverpool in for a Dutch forward all in today's transfer chatter.
Thankfully for the Red Devils, they are said to be in advanced talks with Villarreal, which should see them sign the defender for £43.4m, instead of the higher fee.
The report adds that United’s talks are so advanced that the likes of Real Madrid have ended their interest.
The 24-year-old has started 29 league games this season as Villarreal and featured for them in their 2-1 Europa League win over Arsenal on Thursday night.
United will also get a proper look at the player when he heads to London next week for the semi-final second leg clash.
Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…
AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK
Jose Mourinho is the preferred candidate to take over as Napoli boss. (Fichajes)
Manchester City have joined the race to bring Inter striker Romelu Lukaku back to the Premier League. (Calciomercato)
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Juventus and has tasked agent Jorge Mendes with the duty of finding a new club. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
Lionel Messi has reportedly told Barcelona chiefs he’ll stay beyond the end of the season, but with conditions. (RTVE)
Tottenham have been tipped to take advantage of Juventus’ financial struggles with potential move for €40m defender Merih Demiral. (Calciomercato)
Tammy Abraham could join Fikayo Tomori at AC Milan, with the Rossoneri interested in signing him from Chelsea.
BAYERN PUT PREM TARGET UP FOR SALE
Bayern Munich are prepared to listen to offers for Arsenal, Man Utd and West Ham midfielder Corentin Tolisso. (Kicker)
Atletico Madrid have held talks with Saul Niguez and his representatives over the midfielder’s future at the club. Man Utd have been monitoring the LaLiga star. (ESPN)
Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos is keen on a return to Spain but not to Real Madrid. (AS)
Newcastle are taking an interest in Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu. (Il Resto del Carlino)
Real Madrid have offered a new contract to Lucas Vazquez. The winger has been targeted by Man Utd, Arsenal and Leeds. (Fichajes)
Genoa keeper Mattia Perin has refused to rule out a return to Juventus. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK
Villarreal would like to hold on to on-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender Juan Foyth. (ESPN)
Luis Suarez has said former team-mate Lionel Messi should stay with his lifetime club rather than leave in the coming transfer window. (TV3)
Villarreal are set to sign Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi on a free transfer when his contract expires.
Hannover are ready to hire Steffen Baumgart as their next head coach. (Bild)