Euro Paper Talk: Barnstorming attacker in view for Man Utd double raid

Yussuf Poulsen, Marcel Sabitzer

Manchester United are following two Bundesliga stars “closely” ahead of a potential double swoop, while a LaLiga star reveals talks with Pep Guardiola – all in the latest Euro Paper Talk.

 

MAN UTD FOLLOWING LEIPZIG PAIR

Manchester United are monitoring the progress of RB Leipzig star Marcel Sabitzer “closely”, according to one journalist.

United have a plethora of midfield options this season, added to by Donny van de Beek’s recent arrival. As such, debate has risen about which pair should partner Bruno Fernandes in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Nevertheless, Solskjaer has previously insisted that great United teams of the past featured several stars fighting for one position.

According to Norwegian journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft (via Twitter), Sabitzer is one player who United are keeping an eye on ahead of a potential swoop.

The Austria international, who has 44 caps for his country, is also a reliable star for Leipzig. He has made 195 appearances for the Bundesliga club, showing an exciting penchant for chipping in with goals and assists.

Sabitzer has netted 45 goals and laid on 36 others since he arrived at the club from Rapid Vienna in 2014. This season, meanwhile, the 26-year-old has scored twice and set up another in seven outings.

The midfielder, who can also operate as a winger, has also been linked with Tottenham.

Elsewhere, Fjortoft also claims that Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano is another firm United target. The centre-back is one of European football’s hottest prospects at the age of 22, amid speculation over his future.

The Frenchman has reportedly been the recent subject of interest from Liverpool and Fjortoft notes (via Twitter) that the Reds, United and Manchester City are “following him closely”.

Upamecano signed a contract extension recently which supposedly contains an enticing release clause which activates in the coming months.

AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Sevilla defender Jules Kounde has revealed talks with Pep Guardiola about a move to Manchester City (Canal Football Club)

Crystal Palace and Everton have joined the list of clubs keen on Real Madrid’s Mariano Diaz (Sport)

But Atletico Madrid could also sign the forward to replace Diego Costa (Todofichajes)

Leicester signed Wesley Fofana after Juventus rejected the Foxes’ ‘monstrous’ offer for Merih Demiral (Calciomercato)

Demiral.Juventus.TEAMtalk

Meanwhile, Leicester also had a €20million bid for William Carvalho rejected by Real Betis (La Razon)

Patrick Cutrone’s agent has denied that the Wolves loanee is purposely receiving limited action at Fiorentina (Radio Bruno)

Sadio Mane says that Reims star and fellow Senegal international Boulaye Dia has “impressed” him with his quality (France 3)

Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick has called on David Alaba to take charge of his contract situation (Die Welt)

David Alaba

Meanwhile, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says that there is no issue with Jerome Boateng’s future (Sky Germany)

Manchester United will not sell Diogo Dalot to AC Milan amid his loan spell in Italy (Todofichajes)

Juventus’ Federico Bernardeschi is fighting for his future under head coach Andrea Pirlo (Calciomercato)

Lyon have registered interest in Leicester’s attacking outcast Islam Slimani (Le10 Sport)

Barcelona will discuss how to cope with Gerard Pique’s long-term absence in a crunch meeting (Marca)

Indeed, Pique has suffered what looks like a serious knee injury (Sport)

Barca will consider playing youngsters Ronald Araujo and Santiago Ramos Mingo in the coming weeks (Don Balon)

Real Madrid will offer Dani Ceballos in an exchange with Villarreal for Pau Torres when the midfielder returns from Arsenal (Don Balon)