Arsenal have stepped up their transfer plans by making a move to bring a Belgian star back to Europe, while Borussia Dortmund have made an early move to beat Liverpool to a January target, according to Tuesday’s European papers.
Fekir Wants Madrid Move
Real Madrid have reportedly emerged as a key suitor for Lyon forward Nabil Fekir after his impressive start to the 2018-19 season.
Liverpool pulled out of a £60 million deal to sign the Frenchman in the summer, and now Real are monitoring Fekir ahead of a potential swoop for him in January or at the end of the season.
The report added that, should Liverpool still be interested in Fekir, they will also face competition from Chelsea.
The 25-year-old was part of France's 2018 FIFA World Cup-winning side in the summer, making six appearances from the bench during the tournament.
Fekir enjoyed the best season of his career last term as he netted 18 goals and provided eight assists in 30 Ligue 1 appearances.
He is versatile enough to play on the flank or as a central striker, but his preferred position is in the No. 10 role.
Real's only replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo after his departure to Juventus in the summer was Mariano Diaz, who prefers to play as a No. 9.
Fekir could be an excellent option to bolster Real's front line following the Portuguese superstar's exit.
Arsenal Keen To Bring Belgian Back To Europe
Arsenal are plotting a January move for Yannick Carrasco, according to reports in Italy.
The 25-year-old winger surprised plenty in January when he opted to leave Atletico Madrid for Chinese side Dalian Yifang.
Although Carrasco has caught the eye with some solid displays, scoring three times in 11 games, it’s claimed the Belgian has failed to settle in the Far East and is looking for a return to Europe when the transfer window reopens in January.
Calciomercato reports that, along with the Gunners, Juventus, Roma, Inter Milan and Napoli are also tracking the player, who will cost in the region of €25m.
Carrasco, who netted in the 2016 Champions League final for Atletico Madrid, opted for a move to China in February despite interest from Napoli.
But it seems a return to Europe beckons and the chance to move to London with Arsenal is reported to be a strong possibility for the player, who can play across the midfield.
Ander Herrera To Barcelona
La Liga champions Barcelona are hoping to take advantage of Herrera's contract impasse at Manchester United by making an approach for the Spain midfielder in January.
The Sun claims that Barca failed in an attempt to sign Herrera in the summer but with the 29-year-old a free agent at the end of the season, he's free to talk to foreign clubs in the new year. Herrera, who played under Barca coach Ernesto Valverde at Athletic Bilbao, has held talks over a new two-year deal but nothing has been agreed.
The Sun claims that Barca failed in an attempt to sign Herrera in the summer but with the 29-year-old a free agent at the end of the season, he's free to talk to foreign clubs in the new year. Herrera, who played under Barca coach Ernesto Valverde at Athletic Bilbao, has held talks over a new two-year deal but nothing has been agreed.
Adrien Rabiot To Manchester City
City are one of several clubs interested in signing Rabiot, who looks increasingly likely to leave PSG next summer.
Rabiot has less than a year on his contract in Paris and has turned down repeated offers of a new deal, with the Daily Star believing he is requesting wages of £150,000-a-week plus an £8m signing-on fee.
City are confident they can meet those demands if he moves on a free transfer. Rabiot was at City's academy as a teenager only to return to France due to homesickness.
Rabiot has less than a year on his contract in Paris and has turned down repeated offers of a new deal, with the Daily Star believing he is requesting wages of £150,000-a-week plus an £8m signing-on fee.
City are confident they can meet those demands if he moves on a free transfer. Rabiot was at City's academy as a teenager only to return to France due to homesickness.
Nicolas Pepe To Barcelona
Barca sporting director Eric Abidal has described Lille forward Pepe as a "very, very interesting" prospect with the French club's president Gerard Lopez also revealing the Catalans' interest. Ivorian winger Pepe has four goals and three assists in his first six Ligue 1 games of the season and Barca will continue to scout the 23-year-old. Mundo Deportivo also reports that Sevilla and Real Betis were interested in Pepe over the summer.
Leroy Sane To Juventus
Sane is being considered by Juventus as the club draw up future transfer targets.
Calciomercato claims chairman Andrea Agnelli sees Manchester City forward Sane as a "young Cristiano Ronaldo" but his price-tag means the Bianconeri may have to wait one or two years before they can sign him, having spent so much on Ronaldo.
Juve could also turn their attention to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Lazio and PSG's Kylian Mbappe but Sane definitely represents a more realistic option.
Calciomercato claims chairman Andrea Agnelli sees Manchester City forward Sane as a "young Cristiano Ronaldo" but his price-tag means the Bianconeri may have to wait one or two years before they can sign him, having spent so much on Ronaldo.
Juve could also turn their attention to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Lazio and PSG's Kylian Mbappe but Sane definitely represents a more realistic option.
Others
Borussia Dortmund have made the first move to sign AC Milan and Liverpool target Dani Olmo after opening talks for the Dinamo Zagreb youngster (Marca)
Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey has been offered to Juventus – with reports in Italy bizarrely claiming he has been told he can leave on a free transfer (Calciomercato)
Mario Gotze has put Premier League clubs on alert after admitting his frustration at a lack of playing time at Borussia Dortmund under Lucien Favre (Bild)
Paul Pogba has decided his future lies at Juventus after getting fed up with the style of football Manchester United operate under Jose Mourinho (Tuttosport)
Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro has held talks with PSG over a possible move to the club in January (Le10 Sport)
Liverpool’s interest in Piotr Zielinski is forcing Napoli to rush through a new deal for the Poland midfielder, with his exit clause likely to raise to €150m (Calciomercato)
Francis Coquelin could start for Valencia for the first time in six months this week after rupturing his Achilles tendon back in March (AS)
Brazilian defender Luisao, 37, is set to leave Benfica after 15 seasons with the club (A Bola)
Manchester United are considering a €45m approach for Lucas Paqueta after Barcelona pulled out the race to sign the Flamengo midfielder (Globe Esporte)
Lyon star Lucas Tousart is emerging as a January transfer target for Inter Milan (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Former Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has remained tight-lipped on reports he could be in line to replace under-fire Eusebio Di Francesco at the club (Radio Anch’Io Sport)
Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is not interested in becoming the new Roma head coach (Corriere dello Sport)
Diego Simeone has reiterated Atletico Madrid should not be compared to Real Madrid or Barcelona, insisting “we are our own club” (Marca)
Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle are among 18 clubs to have sent scouts to checked on goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos in recent weeks (Record)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has opened door to a possible return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid (El Chiringuito)
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze has been advised to join Liverpool in order to revive his career after admitting criticism is getting to him.
Gotze, 26, once hailed as world football's most promising talents, has been in decline ever since scoring the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.
Having returned to Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2016, the midfielder has struggled with injuries and illnesses and has found it difficult to break into the team under four different coaches.
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