Skip to content

European Paper Talk: Eden Hazard out, Nicolas Pepe in at Chelsea?

Eden Hazard

As the end of the season approaches, the rumour mill begins churning out stories ready for the reopening of the transfer window this summer.

Our friends at Football Whispers round-up all the latest news, views and gossip from across the continent.

Spain

Chelsea have lowered their asking price for Eden Hazard as they look to move quickly in the transfer market and secure the services of Hazard's replacement, Lille winger Nicolas Pepe. Chelsea's Belgian star could now move for around €100m rather than his initial price tag of €116m. This would allow the London club to move quicker than other potential suitors on a deal for Pepe. (AS)

Nicolas Pepe

Lille president Gerard Lopez has indicated that Pepe will leave, and the 23-year-old is likely to cost around €80m. "Four or five players will leave this summer," Lopez said in March. "All the clubs are forced to balance their accounts, except one maybe, I would say Pepe will leave." (AS)

Real Madrid are moving increasingly quickly to secure the services of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Luka Jovic ahead of their European rivals. The Bundesliga side have now activated the €8m clause in the forward's loan from Benfica to make the deal permanent. Real could provide them with an instant profit and are ready to pay €70m for the Serb. (Diario AS)

Luka Jovic celebrates after scoring for Eintracht Frankfurt

Italy

As reported on Friday, former Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko is looking to remain in Italy rather than be reunited with Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham. It has since emerged that Inter will be his likely destination. Current club Roma will demand around €15m for the Bosnian and Inter may have to sell Mauro Icardi before a deal can be done. (Calciomercato)

Juventus are looking to sign Real Madrid midfielder Isco who could be allowed to leave the Spanish giants this summer. Despite being one of Zinedine Zidane's favourites, it is thought Real will accept a bid should a big offer come in for the Spaniard. (Calciomercato)

Also See:

Isco

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis sees Tottenham's Kieran Trippier as the ideal candidate to fill the right-back role at Napoli. Elseid Hysaj is likely to leave the club this summer, and the Napoli chief has Trippier at the top of his list of replacements. (Sky Italia)

Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne was jeered by fans after suggesting he could leave the club. The 27-year-old has been with Napoli since his youth, but a fall out with the fans and manager Carlo Ancelotti could be enough to see him leave the Serie A side this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Germany

There have been no discussions at RB Leipzig to renew the contract of striker Timo Werner, and it looks certain that the player will leave the club at the end of the season. Leipzig do not want their player to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires in 2020, so a sale this summer seems the only option. (Kicker)

Timo Werner's double gave RB Leipzig victory

Borussia Monchengladbach attacker Thorgan Hazard is valued at €40m by his current club and Borussia Dortmund are still the favourites to sign him. So far the Bundesliga title challengers have only made an offer of around €25m for the Belgian, who has also been a target for Liverpool. (Bild)

Jeff's giving away up to £750K
Jeff's giving away up to £750K

That's 3 rounds & 3 changes to win Jeff's cash this Easter weekend

Around Sky