European Paper Talk: Real Madrid given boost in Kylian Mbappe pursuit
Wednesday 16 August 2017 11:09, UK
The summer transfer window is in full flow and clubs across Europe are making moves as they look to piece together the squad they need to have a successful season.
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured media across Europe for the latest news and transfer rumours.
Spain
Real Madrid's hopes of signing Kylian Mbappe have been given a boost with Paris Saint-Germain now doubting whether they should push on with their pursuit of the teenage sensation. There is supposedly a continent-wide backlash against the Ligue 1 side's summer spending and bringing in the 18-year-old would only antagonise that further. (Marca)
AC Milan forward Carlos Bacca has agreed a one-year loan deal to join Villarreal, the Yellow Submarine confirmed on Tuesday. The former Sevilla striker could make his debut for the club this weekend against Levante. The La Liga side were in the market for a striker after Roberto Soldado's move to Fenerbahce. (AS)
Since the summer of 2013, Barcelona have spent more money on players than Real Madrid, and that's without the Catalan club signing a replacement for Neymar yet. While Los Blancos are generally accepted as the club to buy their success, Barcelona have in fact spent just under €4m (£3.6m) more than their rivals. That number could rise to more than €100m (£90.1m) by the end of the window with one of Ousmane Dembele or Philippe Coutinho set to join. (Marca)
Florin Andone is a Burnley transfer target but Deportivo president Tino Fernandez has revealed his players will only leave if their release clauses are met. The Romanian striker has a €30m (£27.3m) clause but Burnley have tabled a bid of just €13m (£11.8m) for his services. (AS)
Germany
Reported Liverpool target Luan is now on the radar of Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga side are looking to bring in players to bolster their attack and the Brazilian has emerged as an option. He was close to agreeing a move to Spartak Moscow before his current club Gremio stalled the deal amid interest from elsewhere. (SportBild)
Dortmund winger Emre Mor was left out of the club's official squad photo ahead of the new season, with an initial loan ahead of a permanent move to Fiorentina imminent. However, the move hit a snag and the Turkish attacker is now back training with Peter Bosz. There's a belief that the Bundesliga side changed their mind due to the uncertainty surrounding Dembele's future. (Kicker)
Italy
Napoli are hoping to take advantage of what is going on a Barcelona to bring Denis Suarez to Italy. The midfielder claims he is happy at the Nou Camp but the potential arrival of Coutinho and Dembele could see his playing time decrease, and, in a World Cup year, first-team football is essential. The Serie A side are prepared to pay as much as €35m (£31.8m) to secure the services of the 23-year-old. (Calciomercato)
It was reported earlier on in the summer that Inter boss Luciano Spalletti wanted to bring Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal back to Serie A. But now it's emerged city rivals Milan have joined the race for the Chile international and are prepared to double his wages. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Inter have also been linked with a move for Tottenham target Serge Aurier, but have switched their attentions to Valencia full-back Joao Cancelo. The Nerazzurri are also prepared to use wantaway midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia as makeweight. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
France
Stoke City have completed the signing of Paris Saint-Germain winger Jese Rodriguez. The Spanish winger joins on loan with the Premier League club set to pay €25m (£22.7m) next summer to make it permanent. The former Real Madrid attacker was surplus to requirements under Unai Emery despite only joining the club last summer. (L'Equipe)
Marseille are battling it out with Roma for the signing of Barcelona attacker Munir El Haddadi. The Serie A side have admitted defeat in their pursuit of Leicester midfielder Riyad Mahrez and will now put their efforts into bringing the Spaniard to Rome. Marseille, however, believe the offer of first-team football could boost their hopes of signing the 21-year-old. (Le10Sport)
Hatem Ben Arfa could be set for a sensational return to Lyon. After a stunning renaissance at Nice, his career has stalled while at PSG and head coach Emery doesn't seem to be taken aback by the 30-year-old. Jean-Michel Aulas is said to be keen on bringing Ben Arfa back to the club he started his career at. (Le10Sport)
