Friday 5 October 2018 11:38, 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.
So we asked our friends at Football Whispers to scour the European media to bring you the latest news, views and gossip from the Continent.
Barcelona are considering a €65m approach for Napoli centre-back and Liverpool transfer target Kalidou Koulibaly. Barca director Ariedo Braida was at the Stadio San Paolo specifically to watch Koulibaly go up against Reds trio Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.The Senegalese international holds a French passport meaning Barca don't have to register him as a non-EU player. (Mundo Deportivo)
Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Marcelo and Keylor Navas are concerned by the decisions made by Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui, and if results don't improve discontent will only grow. Real are winless and goalless in their last three games and a number of senior players are said to be perplexed by the thinking of the former Spain coach. Bale and Modric are frustrated that they keep being substituted while Navas can't understand why Thibaut Courtois has been installed as the club's No1. (Mundo Deportivo)
Iker Casillas contacted Spain boss Luis Enrique this week to discuss a possible return to their set-up. The 37-year-old goalkeeper supposedly told Enrique he would be happy to take on any role within the squad, even if that meant being third choice. (AS)
Roma are confident Manchester United transfer target Lorenzo Pellegrini will sign a new contract soon, removing his €30m release clause. The midfielder has been subject of interest from Juventus and Milan but has remained loyal to Roma and is developing into a key player for the Giallorossi. The 22-year-old is under contract until 2022 but sporting director Monchi is determined to agree new terms so he cannot be poached for what is a relatively small fee. (Corriere dello Sport)
Genoa general manager Giorgio Perinetti insists the club will not sell star striker Krzysztof Piatek in January. The Polish forward only arrived in Serie A this summer from Cracovia but is the leading goalscorer across Europe's top five leagues with eight goals in six games. He's a Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea transfer target, but Perinetti said: "He won't leave in January because we can do great things with him." (Primo Canale)
Inter Milan are unlikely to make a January bid for Barcelona's Rafinha despite the midfield hoping for a transfer away from the Camp Nou. Rafinha was one of Inter's top targets in the summer but the Nerazzurri were put off by Barca's €38m valuation and instead signed Radja Nainggolan. There was an expectation they would return for the 25-year-old in the next transfer window, especially as he's been marginalised by Barca coach Ernesto Valverde. (Calciomercato)
Niko Kovac's rotation policy has upset a number of senior players at Bayern Munich, including Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez. Bayern are winless in their last three games and Rodriguez was seen venting his anger in the dressing room while Kovac held a 13-minute meeting with Muller at training. Several players don't feel good performances are rewarded with a sustained place in the team, with Kovac rotating for the sake of it. (Bild)
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Giovani Lo Celso wants to extend his loan stay at Real Betis beyond this season but the La Liga club can't afford the Argentina international. Betis can turn Lo Celso's loan deal into a permanent move but don't have the funds to pay the €25m. The Spanish club, however, are working at solutions to keep the 22-year-old at the Benito Villamarin. (Le 10 Sport)
