Thursday 22 February 2018 11:14, UK
The latest news and transfer rumours from the European press as Karim Benzema could be on the move this summer.
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the continental press to bring you the latest transfer rumours.
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema could be on the move this summer with four French sides interested in bringing the striker back to Ligue 1. Former club Lyon are leading the race along with Paris Saint-Germain, who want the 30-year-old to rival Edinson Cavani for a starting berth. Monaco and Marseille are the other two clubs interested but they aren't thought to be serious contenders. Benzema is believed to be open to a return to France. (AS)
Chelsea transfer target Marco Asensio is likely to start ahead of Gareth Bale, Isco and Benzema for Real Madrid's Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain after continuing to impress manager Zinedine Zidane. (Marca)
Barcelona are still working on a deal to sign 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder Arthur from Gremio for a fee in the region of €30m. (Mundo Deportivo)
Atletico Madrid forward Yannick Carrasco is close to securing a move to Dalian Yifang, with the Chinese club prepared to pay €30m for the Belgian forward. He's fallen down the pecking order due to inconsistent performances and the arrival of Vitolo, who manager Diego Simeone personally requested. (AS)
Dani Ceballos is growing more disillusioned with life at Real Madrid. He came off the bench during the 3-1 win over Leganes in midweek only to play just 29 seconds. Rumours suggest he is a Liverpool transfer target and the Reds could make their move when the window reopens. (Marca)
Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann has an exit clause in his deal which becomes active in the summer of 2019. The 30-year-old can leave the village side if a club pays the €10m compensation. Despite being linked with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, he's eager to manage abroad and has aspirations of winning the Champions League. Inter Milan and Valencia are keeping close tabs on the situation. (Kicker)
RB Leipzig manager Ralph Hasenhuttl could leave the club in the summer if he's unable to agree a contract extension. He's never been at a club beyond three seasons and his current deal comes to an end in 2019.
Director of football Ralf Rangnick is planning for the future and wants Hasenhuttl to commit himself to the project. If he can't then Rangnick will remove him from his position and bring in a new long-term manager. (Kicker)
Juventus view Liverpool midfielder Emre Can as a long-term replacement for Sami Khedira. Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici have worked hard on a deal for Can for the best part of 18 months.
They have sent a contract to Can's representatives and expect him to sign it as soon as the season comes to an end. Juventus plan to have the 24-year-old shadow his compatriot for 12 months before replacing him in the middle third. (Calciomercato)
Geoffrey Kondogbia has revealed that if he had the money he would pay his own buyout clause to push through a move away from Inter Milan. The French powerhouse, who is having the season of his career at Valencia, doesn't want to return to the San Siro: "My redemption set at €25m? If I had the money, I would pay from my own pocket," he said. (Calciomercato)
Marseille may be forced to part with in-form Florian Thauvin in the summer. The Ligue 1 side need to make sales to appease UEFA, who are keeping a close eye on them to ensure they don't break Financial Fair Play rules. The 25-year-old has 15 goals and 10 assists in 26 starts this season and Roma are reportedly keen on bringing him to the Italian capital. (Le10Sport)
Ligue 1 side Nantes say they will not stand in manager Claudio Ranieri's way if he is approached about the vacant Italy job. Nantes are fifth in France and have impressed many with their style of play under the 2015/16 Premier League winner. But they realise this might be Ranieri's last chance to coach his national team and appreciate it is a dream of his. (L'Equipe)
