European Paper Talk: Arsenal scout Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella
Saturday 2 March 2019 12:36, UK
As we enter the business end of the 2018/19 season, clubs across Europe are beginning to turn their thoughts to their summer recruitment plans.
Here, our friends at Football Whispers have rounded up the latest transfer news from the continental media.
Italy
Inter Milan are ready to sack Luciano Spalletti in the summer and want to appoint either Antonio Conte or Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. (Tuttosport)
However, it is believed Allegri would favour a job outside of Italy if he departs Juve. The Serie A champions would pursue Zinedine Zidane, who played for the club in the 90s, as a replacement or could bring back Conte for a second spell in charge. (Corriere dello Sport)
Paul Pogba's future at Manchester United hinges on whether the club qualifies for next season's Champions League. If United miss out, Juventus are ready to move for the France international and could offer Douglas Costa as a makeweight in any deal. (Tuttosport)
Arsenal scouts were in attendance to watch midfielder Nicolo Barella impress in Cagliari's 2-1 victory over Inter Milan on Friday. The 22-year-old, who did miss a late penalty, is also a Chelsea transfer target and would cost around £42m. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)
Live Renault Super Sunday
Juventus plan to send representatives to Benfica's clash with Porto on Saturday to watch Ruben Dias and Joao Felix. The former has moved ahead of Matthijs de Ligt as the club's first-choice defensive target while the latter has also attracted attention from a number of top European sides. (Tuttosport)
Spain
Real Madrid believe an offer of just £35m could convince Inter Milan to cash in on Mauro Icardi. The Argentine striker has not featured for the Serie A side since being stripped of the captaincy and Los Blancos hope to take advantage of his uncertain future. (Marca)
Once tipped for stardom at Barcelona, Sergi Samper is set to leave the club in the summer at the end of his contract and join Andres Iniesta and David Villa at Japanese club Vissel Kobe. (Mundo Deportivo)
France
Chelsea have not given up hope of keeping Eden Hazard and continue to hold talks with the Belgium star's representatives over a new contract. The 28-year-old is a Real Madrid transfer target and only has just over a year remaining on his current deal. (Le Sport 10)
Germany
Ralf Rangnick says RB Leipzig have not received any offer from Bayern Munich for Timo Werner. However, the striker is likely to leave the club this summer as RB are not prepared to lose him for nothing in the summer of 2020. "What happened with Leon Goretzka and Robert Lewandowski [both joined Bayern for free] will not happen with Timo Werner," Rangnick said. "This option does not exist. Timo and his advisor know that." (Bild)
