European paper talk: Antoine Griezmann 'house-hunting' in Barcelona
Sunday 11 March 2018 16:19, UK
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European media to serve up Sunday's transfer news and gossip.
Spain
Antoine Griezmann and his wife are looking at properties in Barcelona ahead of a potential summer move to the La Liga leaders. The former Manchester United transfer target's wife was pictured looking at houses in the town of Castelldefels, where Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho reside. (Marca)
Real Madrid are prepared to part with a number of stars as they look to raise the €400m (£355m) they believe is needed to bring Neymar to the Santiago Bernabeu. Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Isco could all be shown the door when the season comes to an end. (AS)
Ivan Rakitic, rumoured to be a Liverpool transfer target, revealed he would open the door to Neymar without a moment's hesitation if there was a chance the world's most expensive player would return to Barcelona. Speaking after Barca's 2-0 win over Malaga, Rakitic said of his former team-mate: "I would open the door right now. Not only because of the relationship I have with him, but because of the type of player he is." (Marca)
Karlo Letica, the alternative to Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea for Real Madrid, netted the winner for Hajduk Split against Istra in the last minute on Saturday. The goalkeeper arrived in the penalty area with the scoreline at 2-2 and managed to guide home a diving header on the same day it was revealed he was a target for Real Madrid. (Marca)
France
Antero Henrique, Paris Saint-Germain's sporting director, has admitted doubts over whether the club can keep hold of Neymar in the summer. Asked whether or not the 26-year-old would be with the squad next season, Henrique is quoted as saying:"I cannot guarantee it." (Le Parisien)
The Ligue 1 champions-elect, however, are putting plans in place to convince Neymar to stay. Luis Enrique, who managed Neymar at Barcelona, is now the favourite to replace Unai Emery at the Parc des Princes. The board believe such an appointment would prove to Neymar that they are serious in helping him become the best in the world. (L'Equipe)
PSG are going to battle it out with Manchester United for the signing of Alex Sandro. The Juventus left-back, a one-time Chelsea transfer target, is at the top of PSG's summer wishlist. However, Jose Mourinho has identified the Brazilian as the perfect full-back for his team and is prepared to double his salary - meaning Sandro would be pocketing €320,000-per-week - putting the French side on the back foot. (Le10Sport)
Alban Lafont has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Real Madrid, with compatriot Zinedine Zidane thought to rate the 19-year-old. The La Liga giants are struggling to sign a new goalkeeper and missed out on Kepa during the winter window. With big names resisting the lure of playing for European royalty, Zidane may get his man in the shape of Lafont. (Le10Sport)
Germany
Chelsea and Real Madrid transfer target Robert Lewandowski broke a Bundesliga record against Hamburg. The Poland international scored his 100th goal in the German top-flight in just his 120th match and no player has reached the landmark in fewer matches. Legendary striker Gerd Muller needed 136 games to reach treble figures. (Kicker)
Italy
AC Milan are weighing up a move for Kevin Strootman with Gennaro Gattuso believing the club need someone to rival Franck Kessie as the destroyer in the midfield. The Roma man has been a transfer target for Juventus and Inter Milan in the past but has stayed in the Italian capital. However, the Dutchman may be on the move this summer and AC Milan have cleverly positioned themselves at the front of the queue. (Tuttosport)
Roma are working to sign Bryan Cristante ahead of a number of rivals. Juventus, Inter Milan and a number of Premier League clubs are monitoring Cristante's situation. (Calciomercato)
Alex Grimaldo, linked with a move to Manchester City during the 2017 winter window, has agreed a pre-contract agreement with Napoli ahead of a summer move. The 22-year-old has a €30m release clause and the Serie A leaders could recoup a large chunk of that by selling Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal transfer target Faouzi Ghoulam. (Calciomercato)
