Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd hijack nailed-on Man City signing with €50m striker to follow; Liverpool told tempting fee to sign Gladbach star

Man Utd are to beat Man City to a midfield signing and are closing on a €50m striker deal, Liverpool are ready to move for a Borussia Monchengladbach star, while Friday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Real Madrid are looking to sign two Premier League strikers this summer.

CITY TO LOSE OUT TO MAN UTD IN MATEO KOVACIC RACE

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag looks ready to spark a bitter feud in Manchester by beating City to the signing of Mateo Kovacic.

The Croatian midfielder will depart Chelsea this summer after five seasons at Stamford Bridge. With his deal expiring in 12 months time, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has informed the 29-year-old of their wish to move him on.

As a result, Kovacic finds himself a man in high demand, having proved himself one of the Premier League’s top midfielders in recent years.

Indeed, Inter Milan and Juventus were both initially linked with moves. However, Kovacic is keen to remain in England, with Manchester City strongly tipped to win the race for his signature.

To that end, Pep Guardiola and Co have already held talks with the player and his agent over a proposed move to the Etihad.

As a result, Kovacic is reported to have agreed terms on a lucrative deal at City, though has seemingly asked for time to think things over.

Indeed, there was seemingly a confidence at City that the former Real Madrid man will sign on the dotted line.

However, il Gazzetta dello Sport now claims Ten Hag has ‘come forward’ to hijack the prospective deal.

And Ten Hag wants to pair him in the Manchester United midfield alongside Casemiro, offering him a big role in the side next season.

Bayern Munich are also ready to enter the race for his signature, but it is United who are now very much in the mix.

Il Gazzetta are unsure which way the transfer saga will turn, though do state it is certain that he will leave Chelsea.

Man Utd pushing clear in quest to sign Rasmus Hojlund

United are also reportedly in the ‘front row’ to sign Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund with progress being made in the deal.

The 20-year-old striker has emerged as a huge talent and is tipped to reach the top in the coming years. To that end, 15 goals in 41 appearances this season illustrate that potential.

Now it seems he is to become United’s No 1 target to fill their No 9 vacancy. With deals for Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen near impossible to pull off, it was reported on Thursday how Ten Hag has held a number of video calls with Hojlund.

Now it appears that the quest to bring him to Old Trafford is gathering pace.

Per TuttoMercatoWeb, United have ‘intensified efforts’ to sign him, having ‘drawn up’ proposals to sign him.

Atalanta have reportedly responded by demanding an initial fee of €50m (£43m) – a price United are willing to meet. Any deal will also likely contain a number of bonuses, taking it nearer the €60m (£51.6m) mark.

Hojlund is contracted to the Serie A side until 2027 but are open to his sale having missed out on a Champions League place next season.

READ MORE: The six strikers heavily linked with Man Utd and how they compare in 2022/23: Hojlund, Kane…

LIVERPOOL LEARN KOUADIO KONE ASKING PRICE

Liverpool are readying a move for Borussia Monchengladbach star Kouadio Kone following their €35m – €40m (£30m – £34.4m) valuation of the midfielder. (Fabrizio Romano)

Inter Milan are looking to sign Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi with Newcastle and PSG enquiring about Marcelo Brozovic. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Joao Cancelo is unlikely to make his loan stay at Bayern Munich permanent. The Man City loanee does want to play abroad though, having ruled out staying at Man City or joining Arsenal next season. (Abendzeitung)

Arthur Melo’s agent claims his client is not in Juventus’ plans and will look to arrange a new move after returning from Liverpool. (Sky Italia)

Burnley are chasing FC Metz striker Georges Mikautadze following claims he can leave for a fee of around €20m. (Le 10 Sport)

Newcastle are leading the chase to sign Fenerbahce’s Arda Guler, having met him in Dubai for transfer talks. (Fotomac)

Newcastle United are ‘closing in’ on the signing of Yankuba Minteh from Odense Boldklub in Denmark in a deal worth an initial £6m. (Fabrizio Romano)

BAYERN MUNICH ENTER RACE TO SIGN GRANIT XHAKA

Bayern Munich are rivaling Bayer Leverkusen for the signing of departing Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. (442, Switzerland)

Atletico Madrid are confirming the signings of defenders Santiago Mourino and Caglar Soyuncu. (Marca)

Brahim Diaz will try and establish himself in the Real Madrid side next season after completing a three-year loan at AC Milan. (Relevo)

Bayern Munich are putting Leroy Sane and Sadio Mane up for sale this summer, with offers considered for both. (Bild)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is playing down claims he plans to retire with the 41-year-old insisting he can still offer AC Milan a lot next season. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Manchester City are keen on a move for Josko Gvardiol but must meet RB Leipzig’s €100m (£86.5m) valuation. (various)

Liverpool’s interest in Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is being slapped down with the France star expressing his desire to stay. (Sport)

REAL MADRID CHASING KAI HAVERTZ AND HARRY KANE

Real Madrid are surprisingly targeting the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea as a replacement for Karim Benzema. The Germany star will be targeted by Los Blancos alongside Harry Kane. (Relevo)

Kane has decided to leave Tottenham this summer with Real Madrid quoted an initial €100m (£86.5m) to sign the striker. (AS)

Randal Kolo Muani insists he’s willing to honour his long-term contract at Eintracht Frankfurt following claims Manchester United fancy him. (Bild)

Inter Miami are offering Lionel Messi a contract worth €50m a year until 2027 to make the move to MLS. (Sport)

Arkadiusz Milik’s clause with Juventus is set to lapse, with Lazio now favourites to sign the Poland striker. (Corriere dello Sport)

Former France forward Karim Benzema, 35, will join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad upon leaving Real Madrid this month. (ESPN)

Arsenal are winning the race to sign Elye Wahi from Montpellier this summer following claims he can leave for €35m. (Foot Mercato)