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European Paper Talk: Eden Hazard 'likely' to stay at Chelsea

Eden Hazard celebrates scoring his second goal
Image: Eden Hazard is likely to stay at Chelsea next season, according to reports

We asked our friends at Football Whispers to round up the best of the news and gossip from around the continent...

Spain

It is now likely that Eden Hazard will remain at Chelsea next season, rather than join Real Madrid, in light of the Premier League club's transfer ban. Unable to sign a replacement until the summer of 2020, Chelsea will not sanction the Belgian's sale. (Marca)

La Liga champions Barcelona are readying a £96m move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez. The Catalan giants view the 24-year-old Spain international as the ideal replacement for Ivan Rakitic, who is expected to depart the Nou Camp this summer. (AS)

Saul Niguez, Atletico Madrid, La Liga match against Getafe
Image: Barcelona want Atletico's Saul Niguez to bolster their midfield, according to AS

However, Barcelona deny they are planning any move for Saul. Instead, the Blaugrana are focusing their recruitment efforts on signing a new striker and a left-back, with interest also firm in highly rated Ajax centre-back Matthijs de Ligt. (Mundo Deportivo)

Adrian Rabiot, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder wanted by Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, has replaced his mother as his agent after the collapse of a proposed move Barcelona. (Sport)

Brazilian defender Marcelo remains unhappy at Real Madrid and has met twice with club's management this week to request he be allowed to move to Juventus in the summer. (TeleMadrid)

Italy

Inter Milan are closing in on a summer move for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic. And if captain Mauro Icardi is to leave the club, the Nerazzurri will swoop either for Roma's Edin Dzeko or 21-year-old Luka Jovic of upcoming Europa League opponents Eintracht Frankfurt. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Also See:

Ivan Rakitic
Image: Ivan Rakitic leaving for Inter Milan?

David Ospina has kept clean sheets in his last five games for Napoli. The Colombian goalkeeper is on loan at the Stadio San Paolo from Arsenal this season and his form appears to have convinced the Serie A side to make the switch permanent this summer, with an agreement close. (Calciomercato)

Germany

Newcastle United have agreed a £51million deal to sign Brazilian striker Joelinton from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. It's a move that will smash the Magpies' current transfer record, the £21m they paid to sign Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United in January. Joelinton, 22, has scored 10 goals this season. (Sport1)

France

Bayern Munich have stolen a march in the race to sign Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe from Lille. The 23-year-old wide man has scored 16 goals and registered eight assists in Ligue 1 this season and is also wanted by Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. (Le10Sport)

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