European Paper Talk: Barcelona target RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner
Friday 29 September 2017 10:35, UK
The European transfer window may only have been closed a matter of weeks but clubs will already have an idea where they still need to strengthen in January.
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the media across Europe for the latest news and transfer rumours.
Spain
Barcelona have stepped up their interest in RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner. The Real Madrid and Liverpool target is a candidate to replace Luis Suarez at the Nou Camp. The 21-year-old forward scored 21 goals in 32 appearances for Leipzig last season, helping them to second place in the Bundesliga. Barca believe Werner would be a solid, long-term option in attack, while they are also monitoring Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka. (Mundo Deportivo)
Real Madrid are not bowing down to Cristiano Ronaldo's enormous contract demands. The club's all-time leading goalscorer reportedly wants to earn more than Lionel Messi at Barcelona and PSG's Neymar, but the club will not concede easily. However, there is no suggestion of a stand-off between club and player and the relationship remains good. Ronaldo signed a new five-year contract in November last year keeping him at the Spanish giants until 2021. (Marca)
Manchester United can recall on-loan playmaker Andreas Pereira from Valencia in January, according to the Spanish club. (Marca)
Italy
Chelsea targets Alex Sandro and Giorgio Chiellini look set to sign new deals at Juventus. Antonio Conte made the Brazilian wing-back one of his key targets in the summer, but failed to land him, despite making several bids. Sandro, 26, will put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him in Turin until June 2022, on a salary worth over £4m, while Chiellini will also extend his stay with Massimiliano Allegri's side. (Corriere dello Sport)
David Silva is considering leaving Manchester City for AC Milan. The Spain international, who has been at City since 2010, is out of contract at the end of next season and has put talks over a new deal on hold. Silva has been a key player for Pep Guardiola this season, notching six assists already. (Tuttomercatoweb)
Meanwhile, the Rossoneri will continue to back under-pressure coach Vincenzo Montella. There has been tension between Montella and director of sport Massimo Mirabelli in the last week as the latter has grown concerned over the team's tactics and standard of performances, but is prepared to give Montella time. Mirabelli has also cooled talk of a potential return to Milan for Carlo Ancelotti, after the ex-Rossoneri boss was sacked by Bayern Munich. (Repubblica)
France
France manager Didier Deschamps has defended his decision to not include Manchester United winger Anthony Martial in his squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Deschamps said that he has been impressed with Martial's recent form at the Premier League side, but said he must continue to show the same level if he is to be a factor in the international set-up. (L'Equipe)
Germany
Carlo Ancelotti's position at Bayern Munich became untenable after five players turned against him, according to the club president Uli Hoeness. Ancelotti was sacked on Thursday after a humbling 3-0 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night. And while Bayern's statement put the Italian's dismissal down to performances falling short of expectations, Hoeness said that a fractious dressing room atmosphere contributed to the decision. (Westfalenpost)
Julian Nagelsmann has emerged as the top contender to replace Ancelotti. The 30-year-old Hoffenheim boss is believed to consider managing Munich as his dream job, but played down speculation linking him with a move to the Allianz Arena on Thursday night. Speaking before Hoffenheim's 2-1 Europa League defeat to Ludogorets, Nagelsmann told reporters not to include him in the list of candidates to replace Ancelotti. (Bild)
UEFA will count any future transfer fee paid to Monaco from Paris Saint-Germain for striker Kylian Mbappe in the same period as their £200m deal for Neymar. It could mean that the French club will run into trouble regarding financial fair play sanctions. (Bild)
