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European paper round-up: Chelsea eye 'the next Andrea Pirlo'

ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 03: Sandro Tonali looks on during the Italy U21 training session at Mancini Park hotel on September 3, 2018 in Rome, Italy.  (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Image: Sandro Tonali has been dubbed 'the next Pirlo'

International football may be taking centre stage for the next few days, but clubs across Europe are still busy preparing for the January window.

That means the rumour mill never stops, so we asked our friends at Football Whispers to round up all the latest news and gossip from the continent.

ITALY

Chelsea are battling with Internazionale, Roma and Sampdoria for Brescia midfielder, Sandro Tonali, dubbed "the new Pirlo" due to his playmaking skills and shabby haircut. Brescia rejected two bids from Roma and Sampdoria worth around €12m (£10.5m) in the summer with Chelsea prepared to go as high as €20m (£17.5m) for the 18-year-old. But Inter plan to make an approach in January and then loan the midfielder back to Brescia for 18 months. (Calciomercato)

Kryzstof Piatek's form in front of goal for Genoa has attracted a host of potential suitors across Europe with Juventus leading the way. Genoa value their prized asset at around €60m (£53m) with Juve, Internazionale, Bayern Munich, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund among the other clubs who have shown an interest in the 23-year-old. Genoa sporting director Giorgio Perinetti has also accepted the club are only likely to keep him for one season. (Tuttosport)

Bayern Munich are keeping a close eye on Roma winger Cengiz Under, according to the Turkish international's former chairman. Roma signed Under from Altinordu in 2017 and his performances for the Serie A side have attracted interest from Bayern, who are searching for replacements for Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. Mehmet Ozkan said: "Bayern Munich are keeping a close eye on Cengiz. All I can say is he could move for a lot of money." (Gazzetta dello Sport)

AC Milan are considering cutting short Tiemoue Bakayoko's loan and sending him back to Chelsea in January. Bakayoko joined the Rossoneri in the summer on a season-long agreement but the France midfielder has struggled in Serie A and made just four substitute appearances. Gennaro Gattuso has declared he wants more experienced players as the 24-year-old is too raw for Serie A. (Corriere dello Sport)

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Tiemoue Bakayoko during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay between Chelsea and Norwich City at Stamford Bridge
Image: Tiemoue Bakayoko could return to Chelsea

SPAIN

Barcelona plan to sign both Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs De Ligt from Ajax and have established the best strategy to bring the Dutch duo to the Camp Nou. Barca have a strong relationship with De Ligt's agent Mino Raiola and believe he will edge the teenage defender to Catalonia while they are negotiating directly with De Jong and Ajax as they do not trust his representative, Ali Dursan, who has tried to create a "public auction" around the midfielder due to strong interest from within the Premier League. (Sport)

during the UEFA Champions League third round qualifying match between Ajax and Royal Standard de Liege at Johan Cruyff Arena on August 14, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Image: Frenkie De Jong is on Barcelona's radar

Barcelona are also admirers of Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek, but want to watch the Poland international more before committing to any transfer. Barca director Ariedo Braida has already seen the 23-year-old in action but plans to "study him closer". Piatek has scored 13 goals in eight appearances for Genoa since arriving from Cracovia in the summer for just €4m (£3.5m) and Barca are keen to add another striker to help ease Luis Suarez's workload. (Mundo Deportivo)

Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata has revealed the problems he's experienced under the pressures of fame and the "false happiness" of being in the public eye. Morata admits he deliberately posted "happy" images on social media to mask his disappointment and difficulties in his first season in Chelsea. The Spain striker has also claimed his money and fame has affected some of his personal relationships with friends and family. (El Mundo)

GERMANY

Joachim Low's job remains safe, even if Germany lose to France on Tuesday. Low is under severe pressure following Die Mannschaft's 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands but insists he has no plans to resign. DFB president Reinhardt Grindel remains behind the national team coach, who is under contract until 2022, and because there is no obvious plan B, the German FA don't want to leave the team without a head coach for a long period of time. (Sport1)

Joachim Low during the UEFA Nations League A group one match between Netherlands and Germany at Johan Cruyff Arena on October 13, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Image: Joachim Low's job is safe, according to reports in Germany

FRANCE

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has no plans to follow former Arsenal teammate Laurent Koscielny into international retirement. Defender Koscielny confirmed he won't play again for France over the weekend but Giroud, who is his country's fourth all-time leading goalscorer, wants to play on declaring, "I know what I bring". At 32, Giroud is the oldest outfield player in Didier Deschamps current squad. (L'Equipe)

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