Paper Talk: Tottenham, Man City chasing Serie A midfield enforcer

Tottenham are set to rival Manchester City in the race to sign an Atalanta defensive midfielder, while Arsenal have opened talks to sign a Serie A playermaker but could miss out to PSG, according to Boxing Day’s transfer gossip.

SPURS, MAN CITY RIVALS FOR ATALANTA STAR

Tottenham are reportedly set to go head-to-head with Manchester City for the signing of Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon.

The 29-year-old came through the ranks at Dutch club ASWH, before spending time at Feyenoord, Sparta Rotterdam and Heerenveen.

In 2015, De Roon moved to Italy, signing for Atalanta but joined Middlesbrough a year later.

However, the plahyer spent just twelve months in England before re-signing for Atalanta in 2017. Across his two stints, the Dutchman has made 187 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals.

De Roon is a defensive midfielder by trade and has won 15 caps for the Netherlands national team.

He has been a vital cog of the Atalanta midfield unit that has surprised many in the Champions League over the last two seasons.

 

A report in the Boxing Day press claims that both Spurs and City are looking to sign De Roon.

City are said to be leading the chase for the enforcer, as Pep Guardiola looks to beef up his midfield.

Spurs, meanwhile, are keeping their midfield options open – with Dele Alli tipped to join PSG, while Harry Winks is also on the hunt for regular game time elsewhere.

De Roon currently has three years remaining on his Atalanta contract so will not come cheap, with Atalanta seemingly holding all the aces in that regard.

The winter transfer window opens on January 2 and closes on February 1.


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PSG LOOKING TO HIJACK ARSENAL DEAL

Christian Eriksen

Arsenal in talks over a deal for former Tottenham star Chrsitain Eriksen but PSG could hijack the deal. (sportslens)

Mauricio Pochettino is set to offer Dele Alli a route out of his Spurs hell at Paris Saint-Germain. (The Sun)

Manchester United trained on Christmas Day this year – but the annual festive lunch was axed. (The Sun)

Juventus and AC Milan have reportedly joined the chase for Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard. (The Sun)

Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid all want Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma. (Daily Mirror)

Atletico Madrid look set to launch a bold January bid for Arsenal full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles. (Sky Sports)

AND MORE GOSSIP

Thomas Tuchel

Manchester United or Arsenal could provide Thomas Tuchel with the Premier League job he craves after the German was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain on Christmas Eve. (Daily Star)

RB Leipzig star Marcel Sabitzer has emerged as a £45m January transfer target for Tottenham. (Daily Mail)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has prioritised the recruitment of a centre-half next year but Manchester United are unlikely to join the race for Bayern Munich’s David Alaba. (Daily Telegragh)

Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles has returned to light training after recovering from Covid-19. However, Allan Saint-Maximin could miss three weeks more action from the long-term effects of the virus. (Daily Telegragh)

Mikel Arteta has admitted to feeling the psychological strain of Arsenal’s dire predicament. He accepts the next three matches will determine whether the club are dragged into a relegation battle. (The Guardian)

Jurgen Klopp has told Mohamed Salah the only reason to leave Liverpool is the weather. But he conceded the club cannot force a player to stay against his will. (The Guardian)

Rangers will be without Ryan Jack once again as Hibs visit Ibrox on Boxing Day. George Edmundson and Jordan Jones return, however, after completing their seven-game ban for flouting virus regulations. (Daily Record)