Euro Paper Talk: Tottenham ready to strike deal after £34m West Ham playmaker bid rejected, player already in London; Chelsea to pay club-record fee for Serie A striker

Tottenham are ready to swoop for a playmaker who has been the subject of a significant bid from West Ham, while Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk also reports that Chelsea are willing to play a club-record fee for an AC Milan forward.

CONTE WANTS LUCAS PAQUETA TO PROVIDE CUTTING EDGE

Tottenham have reportedly reignited their bid to sign Lyon playmaker Lucas Paqueta after seeing London rivals West Ham fail with an offer.

A report in the Express claims that the Hammers have seen a £34million offer for the Brazilian attacking midfielder rejected.

It’s reported that the Ligue 1 club are looking for nearer to £50m to do a deal. However, his agents are known to be looking to secure Paqueta a move to England this summer.

Indeed, they are currently in London trying to complete a transfer for the 24-year-old.

The report states that Spurs are looking at Paqueta as a replacement for Bryan Gil, who will then be loaned out.

Fabio Paratici has been watching the Brazilian for some time and is known to be a big fan.

In 44 appearances in all competitions last season, Paqueta scored 11 goals and had seven assists.

Tottenham are, however, likely to have to outbid the Hammers to get their man. But one huge advantage they have is the ability to offer him Champions League football.

Paqueta the final piece of Conte puzzle

The addition of a No.10 is arguably the one remaining piece in the jigsaw remaining for Antonio Conte.

The last two Tottenham games have produced much better results than performances, with a lack of creativity a major issue.

Conte will, however, have to tinker with his system to get a more creative force into his side.

Playing the two holding midfielders and three up top means there is currently no room for a playmaker.

But it Paqueta does arrive, Conte could switch to having Harry Kane and Son Heung-min as a front two and have either the Brazilian or Dejan Kulusevski in behind.

That would mean relying on the wing-backs to provide all the width. But it would provide a greater link between midfield and attack.

CHELSEA TO GO ALL IN ON RAFAEL LEAO

Chelsea are considering paying a club record fee of around £101million for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Liverpool may consider signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente. (Fichajes)

Chelsea are looking for a new centre-back and have turned their attention to Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba. (Sky Germany)

Marseille are not currently in negotiations to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. (Fabrizio Romano)

Ajax striker Brian Brobbey says he rejected the chance to join Manchester United after his former boss Erik ten Hag sent him a message. (Voetbal International)

AC Milan have set their sights on Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and will rival Inter for the player. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

SOUTHAMPTON PUSHING FOR MAITLAND-NILES DEAL

Southampton are “pushing” to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Arsenal on loan for the rest of the season. (Fabrizio Romano)

Barcelona have agreed to loan defender Samuel Umtiti to Lecce for the remainder of the season. (ESPN Football)

Mauro Icardi has agreed to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join Turkish side Galatasaray on loan for the 2022-23 season. (L’Equipe)

Aston Villa have lowered their asking price for defender Frederic Guilbert as they look to sell the 27-year-old. (L’Equipe)

Juventus are getting closer to finalising a deal for PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes after a positive step forward in talks. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

MORE EURO TRANSFER GOSSIP

Atletico Madrid have no plans to move on left-back Renan Lodi. (Fabrizio Romano)

Forward Mariano Diaz has accepted that he should leave Real Madrid this summer. (Diario AS)

Salernitana have reportedly started to make a move for Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi to boost their attack. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

Celta Vigo’s Denis Suarez has revealed he is only allowed to train with the team when the fans show up at training. The LaLiga club are looking to offload the midfielder. (ESPN Football)