European Paper Talk: Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres close to Chicago Fire move
Sunday 6 May 2018 12:22, UK
The European club season finishes in less than a month so attention has turned to the summer transfer window and who will be switching sides before, during and after the World Cup.
So, we asked our friends at Football Whispers to scour the European newspapers and websites to bring you the latest transfer gossip and news from the continent.
Spain
Fernando Torres is close to completing a switch to MLS side Chicago Fire from Atletico Madrid. The 34-year-old striker confirmed earlier this year that the current campaign would be his last with Atletico. (AS)
Live La Liga Football
Diego Simeone refused to comment on reports linking Antoine Griezmann with a move to Barcelona. The La Liga champions have been strongly linked with the France international, while Barca striker Luis Suarez appeared to confirm the player's imminent arrival in an interview with a Uruguayan radio station.
However, ahead of Atleti's match with Espanyol, Simeone said: "We're not thinking about individual situations." (AS)
Meanwhile, Simeone has been handed a four-game ban by UEFA following his dismissal during Atletico's Europa League semi-final first leg against Arsenal. As a result, the Argentine coach will not be on the touchline for the final against Marseille. (Marca)
Italy
Maurizio Sarri may resign as Napoli manager following remarks made by the club's president. Aurelio De Laurentiis criticised Sarri earlier this week, noting the coach's lack of squad rotation, which has resulted in tension and may prompt him to stand down. Sarri has been linked with the managerial positions at Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
If Sarri leaves, De Laurentiis will target Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and former AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. (Gazzetta dello Sport).
Stephan Lichtsteiner has announced that he is leaving Juventus at the end of the season. The Swiss defender made his 300th appearance for the Bianconeri in the 3-1 victory over Bologna on Saturday but will end his seven-year spell in Turin when his contract expires in June. (Tuttosport)
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri sent his well wishes to Sir Alex Ferguson after the legendary Manchester United manager underwent surgery following a brain haemorrhage. "I'm really sorry and I want to wish him good luck," Allegri said. "I know he will have the strength to overcome this." (Corriere dello Sport)
France
Lucien Favre is the clear frontrunner to take over at Borussia Dortmund this summer, with talks said to be "progressing well." The Nice boss has been strongly linked with the Bundesliga club and an announcement could be made within the next two weeks. However, Favre may not commit until the club have secured Champions League football for next season. (L'Equipe)
Nabil Fekir has a clause in his Lyon contract which will allow him to leave this summer. The 24-year-old playmaker has emerged as one of European football's hottest properties and has been told by the Ligue 1 club that they will not stand in his way should an opportunity arise. (L'Equipe)
Germany
Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes was less than impressed with Robert Lewandowski after the striker refused to acknowledge him after being substituted during the win over Cologne on Saturday.
"I know myself that we goalscorers are selfish and always thinking about our goalscoring ratio," he said. "We have spoken and he understood. When I took him off, though, I didn't find it funny at all, because I'm the boss and no one else." (Bild)