N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic all on PSG's midfield wishlist
Sunday 7 October 2018 13:22, UK
The transfer window may be closed but the news cycle across the continent keeps spinning as clubs search for January reinforcements or consider early season changes in the dugout.
Our friends at Football Whispers have sifted through the European media to find the best transfer news and the latest news stories.
Sergio Ramos has urged Real Madrid not to sack manager Julen Lopetegui. The former Spain boss is under pressure after Los Blancos failed to win any of their last four matches.
They have also gone over six hours without managing to find the back of the net and could end the weekend sitting in sixth position if results don't go their way.
But Madrid captain Ramos is backing Lopetegui: "Other people take decisions like that, but it's never good when there is a change in coach. It would be crazy." (Marca)
Krzysztof Piatek has played down reports linking him with a move to Barcelona. The Genoa striker has started the season in blistering form, netting eight goals in six matches.
He's scored more league goals than Lionel Messi and Neymar and his performances have resulted in his being linked with Europe's elite.
However, the 23-year-old has downplayed these links: "I do not believe it. What I do is focus on the next training." (AS)
Ernesto Valverde may have found his best XI after watching his Barcelona team dismantle Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley but it came at an expense.
He benched the impressive Ousmane Dembele while Arturo Vidal had to settle for a cameo. The Chilean took to social media to voice his frustrations while the French wonderkid didn't look best pleased when the cameras panned to him on Wednesday evening.
The onus is on the manager now to make sure all his players feel as though they're part of the team so not to derail their aspirations of challenging on all fronts. (AS)
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have drawn up a three-man midfield shortlist ahead of the January transfer window.
After failing to add to their middle third ranks during the summer, Thomas Tuchel is keen to strengthen during the winter months. N'Golo Kante tops the list closely followed by Paul Pogba and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
However, if the trio aren't available then Ajax maestro Frenkie de Jong is being looked at. (Le10Sport)
Didier Deschamps has left Liverpool transfer target Adrien Rabiot out of the French squad for the upcoming match against Iceland.
The PSG midfielder refused to be part of the backup squad ahead of the World Cup, a competition Deschamps and his team went on to win, and he's been frozen out ever since.
But the World Cup-winning manager hasn't closed the door on a return for Rabiot in the future: "Did he call me to explain? No. Does he have to come back? I do not sweep away what happened with the back of the hand." (Le10Sport)
Lille manager Christophe Galtier has compared Nicolas Pepe to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The 23-year-old has been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Lyon over recent months and put in another match-winning performance against St-Etienne on Saturday as Lille kept second spot in Ligue 1.
Galtier, who managed Aubameyang at St-Etienne, was complimentary of his forward in the post-match interview: "Yes. I have already met a player like that during my career, some even, including Aubam." (Le10Sport)
Juventus are working on a package which could see Paul Pogba return to Turin. Reports throughout the summer suggested the Frenchman wanted to leave Old Trafford and his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho has only declined since then.
The Serie A champions believe a deal could be struck as they continue to build a team capable of competing for the Champions League. (CalcioMercato)
Mino Raiola has revealed Zlatan Ibrahimovic is "prepared to talk" to AC Milan as the striker continues to be linked with a return to San Siro.
Ibrahimovic enjoyed a successful spell with the club between 2010-2012 before his move to Paris Saint-Germain. Currently, with LA Galaxy, Raiola, Ibrahimovic's agent, has claimed his client would be open to returning to Italy. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Inter Milan are battling it out with Bayer Leverkusen and Sevilla for the signature of PSV Eindhoven attacker Steven Bergwijn.
The Serie A club have already held talks with the Dutch giants and have proposed a January deal. (CalcioMercato)
Bayern Munich are in crisis after failing to win any of their last four matches. A 3-0 defeat, at home, to Borussia Monchengladbach means Bayern find themselves in fifth position, four points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Pressure is already mounting on Niko Kovac despite the fact he was only appointed during the summer. (Kicker)
In a short space of time, Lucien Favre has changed the mentality at Borussia Dortmund. The came from behind for a second successive week to snatch all three points and extend their lead at the top.
Paco Alcacer curled home a sublime free-kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time to seal a 4-3 win over Augsburg in dramatic fashion. (Kicker)
