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European Paper Talk: Barcelona line up Philippe Coutinho alternatives

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 26:  Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool takes the ball forward during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Spartak Moskva

The summer transfer window may have closed for clubs across Europe but they are already making moves ahead of January.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured media across the continent for the latest news and transfer rumours.

Spain

Barcelona are considering alternatives to Philippe Coutinho if they fail to land the Liverpool playmaker. The Brazilian was linked with a move to the Camp Nou this summer but the Premier League club held firm and blocked his exit. Now, Barca are preparing contingencies if they are rebuffed in the future, with Max Meyer of Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt, who has been linked with Chelsea, featuring on their shortlist. (Sport)

Barca are also monitoring Brazil wonderkid Lincoln, who plays for Flamengo. The 16-year-old has recently starred for Brazil at the U17 World Cup and Barca are said to be readying a bid of €30m (£26.7m). (AS)

Real Madrid are interested in signing Barcelona winger Jose Manuel Arnaiz Diaz. The 22-year-old has impressed since joining Barcelona B from Valladolid in the summer and Madrid are hoping that Sergio Ramos' brother, who represents the player, can play a role in bringing him to the Santiago Bernabeu. (Diario Gol)

In the Champions League, the goalkeeping heroics of Keylor Navas and Hugo Lloris were the main talking points as Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu. Lloris denied Karim Benzema's point-blank header while Navas tipped a Harry Kane shot around the post to ensure Spurs did not clinch a dramatic win. (Marca)

Hugo Lloris made a string of outstanding saves as Spurs claimed a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu

Italy

AC Milan are interested in Santos midfielder Lucas Lima. The 27-year-old currently plays for Santos and has been tracked by Inter in the past, but the Rossoneri are keen to snap him up before their rivals make a move. The attacking midfielder has 14 caps for Brazil. (Sky Sport)

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Antonio Conte has revealed he was asked to take over at Roma before he joined Chelsea. Conte was approached following the departure of Rudi Garcia, although Luciano Spalletti ultimately got the job. Chelsea host the Giallorossi on Wednesday night looking to make it three wins from three in the Champions League. (Calciomercato)

Inter Milan are keen to review Mauro Icardi's release clause. The Argentina international, linked with Real Madrid, has a clause worth €110m (£98.2m), which expires on July 28, and the club are keen to increase it to €150m (£133.9m) in order to fend off interest from the European champions. Icardi has scored nine Serie A goals already this season and stole the spotlight on Sunday when he scored a hat-trick in the Milan derby. (Calciomercato)

MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 15:  Mauro Emanuel Icardi of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates his third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale a

France

Former France and Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc is being lined up to take over as United States boss. America failed to qualify for next summer's World Cup and are looking for a new manager after Bruce Arena's resignation. Former England boss Sam Allardyce is also being considered for the position. (France Football)

Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim admitted he endured a 'difficult evening' as his side went down 2-1 to Besiktas. The defeat leaves Monaco's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 hanging by a thread with just one point from their opening three games. (L'Equipe)

Monaco's Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim wears his club's colours on his cheeks

Germany

Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes believes Julian Nagelsmann would benefit from staying at Hoffenheim for the time being. Nagelsmann has established himself as one of the brightest managerial prospects in Europe after leading Hoffenheim to fourth in the Bundesliga last season, and he has been heavily linked with Bayern following Carlo Ancelotti's sacking. But veteran Heynckes has suggested jumping into such a big job may not be the wisest option for the 30-year-old.

"It might be good for him if he still has a few years at Hoffenheim and also collects [European] experience," Heynckes said. "In a smaller club, you can still make mistakes. Eventually, his path will lead to Bayern Munich anyway." (Rhein Neckar Zeitung)

Bayern Munich will not compete with Arsenal and Liverpool for the Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar. The 21-year-old France international was chased by the Premier League duo in the summer, but both failed to lure him away from Monaco, who demand a fee of £90m. However, while Arsenal are expected to revive attempts to sign the midfielder, the Bundesliga champions have withdrawn their interest. (Kicker)

MONACO - AUGUST 25:  Thomas Lemar of Monaco in action during the UEFA Champions League qualifying round play off second leg match between Monaco and Valenc

Turkey

Turkish businessman Murat Ulker has emerged as a frontrunner to buy Newcastle United after Mike Ashley put the club up for sale. Ulker, Turkey's richest man with an estimated net worth of £2.8bn, is the chairman of Yildiz Holding, a food empire that owns brands including McVitie's and Jaffa Cakes. Reports suggest he is ready to bid £220m for the club and is ready to offer significant funds to manager Rafael Benitez to invest in new players. (Daily Sabah)

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