Skip to content

Euro Papers: Lionel Messi thinks team-mate Javier Mascherano could return to Liverpool

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 18: Javier Mascherano of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League group D match between FC Barcelona and
Image: Javier Mascherano's time at Barcelona could be coming to an end, according to reports in the European press

European sides cannot strengthen their squads until January, but that does not stop deals from being struck and contracts being agreed ahead of the opening of the winter transfer window.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the continent to bring you all the latest transfer news and gossip from the European newspapers.

Spain

Real Madrid have made Tottenham striker Harry Kane their first-choice replacement for Karim Benzema. Real president Florentino Perez is keen on Kane, but is also open to the possibility of deals for Manchester United transfer target Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski and Paulo Dybala too.

Benzema, 29, has only scored two goals in La Liga this season and, with Cristiano Ronaldo not as prolific as he once was, Perez wants free-scoring Kane to reinvigorate the Spanish club's strikeforce. (Diario Gol)

Javier Mascherano Liverpool
Image: Mascherano played for Liverpool between 2007 and 2010

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi thinks his Argentine compatriot and team-mate Javier Mascherano may return to Liverpool. The 33-year-old's time at the Camp Nou is coming to an end, with the club having found a replacement in Colombia centre-back Yerry Mina. Mascherano is also believed to have offers from MLS clubs and Paris Saint-Germain. (Diario Gol)

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has emerged as a PSG transfer target, with the club looking at the Spain international as a possible replacement for Edinson Cavani, who is tipped to leave the Parc des Princes in the summer. (Marca)

France

Neymar is trying to convince PSG to sign Barcelona transfer target Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool. The Brazil international was heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou in the summer, but the Reds refused to sell. But Neymar, Coutinho's compatriot and friend, has instructed the PSG owners to concentrate their efforts on adding the 25-year-old to their expensively-assembled attacking line-up. (Le 10 Sport)

Also See:

Philippe Coutinho in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
Image: Neymar is trying to convince PSG to sign Barcelona transfer target Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool

Jean Michael Seri has reiterated his commitment to Nice after his summer move to Barcelona collapsed. The Ivory Coast international blasted the Ligue 1 club when the deal collapsed but seems to have gained a different perspective in realising that he would not be guaranteed first-team football with Barca.

"At Nice, I am loved but in Barcelona, I might not have been guaranteed first-team football," he said. "This is the club I want to be at and not out of spite, I am very happy here." (France Football)

PSG are keen to offload Brazil winger Lucas Moura in January to balance their books and avoid a Financial Fair Play fine, with Chelsea touted as a possible destination. Moura has managed only 76 minutes of football this season but Antonio Conte is believed to be keen on adding him to his squad for a cut price. (Le 10 Sport)

Italy

PSG right-back Thomas Meunier is a top Juventus transfer target. The Belgian has grown frustrated at a lack of game time under Unai Emery and is ready to leave Paris as a result. Manchester United have also been linked with the defender, but both clubs could baulk at PSG's £30m asking price. (Calciomercato)

Napoli have agreed a new contract with Liverpool and Manchester City transfer target Faouzi Ghoulam which will include a €45m (£39.7m) release clause. The Algeria international's current deal was set to expire at the end of the season but negotiations over fresh terms are at an advanced stage. Ghoulam is currently recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. (SportItalia)

Manchester City's Italian manager Roberto Mancini celebrate with the Premier League trophy on the pitch after their 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers in
Image: Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says it would be an 'honour' to manage Italy

Joao Mario is expected to leave Inter Milan in January as the Nerazzurri look to raise funds for other targets. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says it would be an "honour" to manage Italy and that he would be ready to take the reins if asked. Mancini is currently at Zenit St Petersburg, having joined the Russian club in the summer. (Premium Sport)

Germany

Chelsea have made an approach to sign Hamburg forward Jann-Fiete Arp. The Bundesliga club are keen to tie the 17-year-old down to a new contract having made a quick impact this season, but interest from the Premier League champions may complicate the situation. (Sport BILD)

Belgium

Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has admitted it would be a "dream" to play under Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. The Belgium international was a Real Madrid transfer target before suffering an ankle fracture in the summer and, although there has been no suggestion of a Chelsea exit recently, his comments may stir speculation. "He was my idol when I was little, I have a lot of respect for him," Hazard said. (DH)

Eden Hazard in action at Stamford Bridge
Image: Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard has admitted it would be a 'dream' to play under Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane

Turkey

Galatasaray are close to agreeing a deal for Arsenal transfer target Arda Turan. The 30-year-old is expected to leave Barcelona in January but could snub the Premier League for a move to Istanbul. (Fanatik)

Around Sky