Manchester United target Ivan Rakitic and Manchester City eye Jerome Boateng
Saturday 23 June 2018 11:36, UK
Our friends at Football Whispers have sifted through the European media to find the best transfer news and latest news stories.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is so eager to sign Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona this summer he would be willing to allow club-record purchase Paul Pogba move in the other direction. (Don Balon)
After missing out on Antoine Griezmann, with the France striker electing to sign a new deal with Atletico Madrid rather than join Barca, the club will now focus on reinforcing their midfield. Juventus playmaker Miralem Pjanic is Barca's top target, with Paris Saint-Germain's Adrien Rabiot an alternative. (Don Balon)
Real Madrid are ready to part ways with Karim Benzema, but the France striker, who is attracting interest from AC Milan, will only leave the Bernabeu if he can secure a higher wage than his current deal with the European champions. (Don Balon)
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng. The 29-year-old, currently on international duty with Germany, previously endured one difficult season with City, winning the FA Cup in 2010/11 before being sold to Bayern. However, current City boss Pep Guardiola, who worked with Boateng in Munich, is said to be keen on reuniting with the centre-back. (SportBild)
"The call from London has not arrived," said Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis when quizzed about whether Chelsea have made an official approach to take manager Maurizio Sarri from the Serie A side. Napoli have already appointed former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti as Sarri's successor, but the banker-turned-coach remains under contract at the Stadio San Paolo. (Sky Sport24)
Frustrated in their efforts to sign Anthony Martial from Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur have turned their attention to Nice striker Alassane Plea. Spurs are said to have tabled an opening bid of £23m for the versatile France attacker, who can play wide or as a central striker and scored 21 times for Nice last season. (Foot Mercato)
However, Spurs could face competition for Plea, with Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach also interested in the 25-year-old forward. (Nice-Matin)