European Paper Talk: Saul Niguez rules out move to Real Madrid
By Adam Newson, Football Whispers
Last Updated: 29/09/18 11:42am
The transfer window may not reopen for just over three months but that will not stop clubs identifying their targets and sounding out players over possible January moves.
The rumour mill never stops. So we asked our friends at Football Whispers to scour the European media to bring you the latest news and gossip from the continent.
Spain
Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez says it would be almost impossible for him to join city rivals Real. The Spain international, who remains a long-standing target for Barcelona, said: "It would be very, very difficult, almost impossible. No way." (Cadena Ser)
Barcelona spokesman Josep Vives says discussing Paul Pogba doesn't do "anyone any favours". The French star was heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou in the summer and remains a target for the La Liga champions. (Sport)
Milan Skriniar is on Barcelona's radar and the club met with the Inter Milan defender's representative at the end of last season. Barca are keen to land a right-sided centre-back next summer and also maintain an interest in Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt. (Mundo Deportivo)
Barcelona have been dealt a blow with the news defender Samuel Umtiti may miss several months of the season due to a knee ligament injury. The World Cup winner's absence will leave Ernesto Valverde with just three senior central defenders; Gerard Piqué, Clément Lenglet and Thomas Vermaelen. (AS)
Diego Costa says his departure from Chelsea in the summer of 2017 was not his fault, and believes he made a mistake moving to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid. "People said things, but time puts everything in its place. Look where the coach is, look at (Antonio) Conte. I was wrong going to Chelsea because of their way of dealing with things." (Marca)
Costa also admits he would like to play with Cesc Fabregas again, but says he has not asked Diego Simeone or Atleti to sign the Spanish midfielder. "If I could take Cesc, I would take him. I had a great connection with him. He gave me life, but I didn't mention anything to the coach." (Marca)
Italy
Should AC Milan decide to sack Gennaro Gattuso then the club's first-choice replacement is former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. However, his legal battle with the Blues for unfair dismissal could make his appointment difficult. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Juventus star Paulo Dybala says he is lucky to be the only player in the world who can learn from both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The attacker has played alongside Messi with Argentina while Ronaldo arrived in Turin in the summer. "I am the only one in the world who gets to play with and learn from both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. There are no differences between them, as they are both phenomenal." (Corriere della Sera)
Goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon believes "the only real talent of Italian football" is Paris Saint-Germain teammate Marco Verratti. "Marco is an incredible player, at this moment he's the only real talent of Italian football in terms of how he plays the game, the quality of his touch and the way he sees the game." (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Sampdoria defender Joachim Andersen's fine displays this season has led to interest from Borussia Dortmund and Monaco. The 22-year-old Danish defender is currently valued at around €25m but that price-tag may have increased by January. (Calcio Mercato)
Germany
Genoa star Krzysztof Piatek is a target for Bayern Munich, but the Bundesliga champions face competition from several sides across Europe who are also monitoring his progress. The striker has been in excellent form this term, scoring 10 goals in six games after signing from Cracovia Krakow in the summer. (Bild)
France
Bayern Munich are also interested in former Newcastle United winger Florian Thauvin, who has become one of the most feared wide players in Europe. The 25-year-old has six goals and three assists in eight games this term and would cost a fee of around €80m. (Ouest France)
Enzo Zidane has explained why he left Real Madrid in January. The son of Zinedine made just one appearance for the Spanish giants, in which he scored, but moved to Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport in January. He is now on loan with Spanish second-tier side Rayo Majadahonda. "It is very difficult to reach the first team by all the players there are," he said. "In addition, I needed to discover different things and people." (L'Equipe)
