European Paper Talk: Real Madrid wanted Jurgen Klopp in summer
By James Nalton, Football Whispers
Last Updated: 10/10/18 11:12am
International football takes centre stage this week but that doesn't stop the rumour mill across Europe from spinning.
So we asked our friends at Football Whispers to scour the European media to bring you the best rumours and stories.
Spain
Real Madrid wanted to make Jurgen Klopp their new manager after the departure of Zinedine Zidane in the summer. Julen Lopetegui was eventually given the job, but Klopp was the club's number one target. Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus and Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino were also on the shortlist, but neither of the three could be prised from their clubs. Klopp has recently passed the three-year mark at Anfield, and is under contract with Liverpool until 2022. (Mundo Deportivo)
Lopetegui will be given until the end of October to turn things around at Real Madrid, with the European champions currently fifth in the table. Should he fail to do so, Real are considering offering the job to Antonio Conte or Real Madrid Castilla manager Santiago Solari. Chelsea could be some compensation should the European champions turn to Conte, as reports suggest he is still being paid by the London club. (AS)
Barcelona have their eye on Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno as the Spanish champions seek back-up and a potential successor to Jordi Alba. They are looking at homegrown Spanish options in order to help with squad registration issues, and Moreno fits the bill. The former Sevilla man is currently behind Andy Robertson at Liverpool, and Barca could look to take advantage of his contract situation, with his deal at the Premier League club expiring this summer. (Mundo Deportivo)
Serbia
Manchester United want to solve their defensive issues by signing Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic. Jose Mourinho will personally scout the 20-year-old during the international break, and is likely to be at the game between Serbia and Montenegro on Thursday. The Portuguese boss is looking to do business in January to help him turn around a poor start to the season. (Telegraf)
Italy
Flamengo attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta was a target for a number of Premier League clubs, and his representatives met with Liverpool, but the 21-year-old will sign for AC Milan in January. A fee of just over £30m will see him sign, pending a medical, when the transfer window opens. His decision was influenced by the club's Brazilian sporting director Leonardo, who also played for Paqueta's current club Flamengo. The Serie A side hope to mould him into their new Kaka. (Globo Esporte via Football Italia)
Mauro Icardi is in no rush to renew his contract at Inter Milan amid interest from sides across Europe, including Real Madrid and Manchester United. The Argentine's current deal expires in 2021, and his agent and wife Wanda Nara has revealed that it includes a release clause of £96m. But Nara has suggested in the past that her husband wants to stay at Inter for a long time to emulate Javier Zanetti. (Tiki Taka)
Netherlands
Eredivisie clubs have signalled their intent to share their Champions League wealth across the league in a bid to rid the division of its artificial pitches. Some of the money received from the lucrative tournament by the likes of Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord, will be distributed to clubs so they can afford to replace their artificial turf with natural grass. The clubs are still working on a deal, but it is thought that 10 per cent of the revenue from UEFA competitions will be shared. (AD)
