European Paper Talk: Barcelona and Real Madrid eye Ousmane Dembele
Saturday 5 August 2017 10:43, UK
The summer transfer window is in full flow and clubs across Europe are making moves as they look to piece together the squads they need in time for the start of the season.
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured media across Europe for the latest news and transfer rumours.
Spain
Barcelona and Real Madrid are battling out for €100million-rated (£90m) Ousmane Dembele. Borussia Dortmund don't want to part ways with the Frenchman but a huge offer from one of the La Liga clubs could tempt them into doing just that. Dembele is said to favour a move to the Nou Camp and has said in the past: "[Barcelona] is a great club and all players would like to play at a club like that." (Marca)
The interest in Dembele will no doubt intensify after Kylian Mbappe limped off during Monaco's opening Ligue 1 match of the season. The reigning French champions won but Mbappe was struck on the knee and forced to leave the pitch prematurely. Could Monaco miss out on their €180million pay-day this summer? (Marca)
Barcelona's Friday ended in disappointment as the Blaugrana could only escape the Nou Estadi with a 1-1 draw. Second-tier Gimnastic de Tarragona frustrated Ernesto Valverde's men throughout the friendly match and even held the lead until Paco Alcacer equalised late on. (AS)
Germany
Ahead of the German Super Cup match against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed his side aren't ready for the new season. "We know we are not in the best physical condition," said Ancelotti, adding, "The most important point is the balance in the team. That hasn't been lately." (Kicker)
Sports director Michael Zorc has once again confirmed that he wants to reduce Borussia Dortmund's squad over the next few weeks. "It may well be that in August still the one or other player will go." Barcelona transfer target Ousmane Dembele could join Mikel Merino as a player who lasted just 12 months with the Bundesliga club. (SportsBild)
Holger Badstuber has joined VfB Stuttgart on an initial one-year deal following his release from Bayern Munich. The one-time Manchester City transfer target has signed a performance related deal and, if he impresses, his stay with the newly promoted side could be extended. (Kicker)
Italy
Lionel Messi reportedly wants Barcelona to sign two players; Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala. The former looks unlikely to happen but the La Liga side believe they could tempt Juventus into selling Dybala and are prepared to offer players in exchange. Andre Gomes and Rafinha are being linked with a move to Turin as part of the deal to take Dybala to Barcelona. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Inter Milan will continue their summer rebuild and are looking to pip Manchester United and Chelsea to the signature of Paris Saint-Germain full-back Serge Aurier. The former Toulouse man is available this summer with the Ligue 1 side looking to sell players to balance the books following the arrival of Neymar. (Calciomercato)
Valencia were interested in Inter Milan powerhouse Geoffrey Kondogbia. However, the La Liga side have been priced out of a move and have instead turned their attentions towards Juventus midfielder Tomas Rincon as they look to reinforce their middle third. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Inter are also chasing Borussia Dortmund winger Emre Mor. The Turkish winger was thought to be a transfer target for Fiorentina but Luciano Spalletti wants to add him to his squad at the San Siro this summer and a €15million (£13.5m) bid may be enough to convince the German club to part ways with their 2016 summer signing. (Calciomercato)
France
Neymar is unable to make his Paris Saint-Germain debut this weekend after La Liga filed his documents after the deadline. It's the latest in a long line of underhand tactics deployed by the Spanish league to make the transfer as difficult as possible. (L'Equipe)
