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European paper round-up: Liverpool want Iker Muniain when Athletic Bilbao contract expires

By Ryan Baldi, Football Whispers

Tuesday 30 October 2018 11:37, UK

Iker Muniain is on course for his most profitable scoring season after netting four times in his first nine games for Bilbao
Image: Iker Muniain is on course for his most profitable scoring season after netting four times in his first nine games for Bilbao

With barely two months to go before the January transfer window opens, clubs around Europe are plotting their mid-season moves.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the continental media to round-up the latest transfer news.

SPAIN

Liverpool have made an offer for Athletic Bilbao forward Iker Muniain, 25, whose contract expires in June 2019. However, the one-cap Spain international, who has been a regular starter for the Basque club since he was 16, is leaning towards staying at San Mames. (Marca, via Sport Witness)

Negotiations between Real Madrid and former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte over the vacant manager's position at the Bernabeu have stalled.

Trending

Santiago Solari, the ex-Madrid winger who had been in charge of the club's B team, will now be installed as caretaker manager of the European champions. (Marca)

Antonio Conte
Image: Antonio Conte was sacked by Chelsea after two seasons this summer

Barcelona are considering selling Ousmane Dembele in the January transfer window. The 21-year-old French winger, who was signed from Borussia Dortmund for an initial £96m in the summer of 2017, was a substitute in Sunday's Clasico versus Real Madrid despite Lionel Messi being injured. (RAC1)

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ITALY

Juventus are ready to invest heavily in re-signing Paul Pogba, with their aim being to take the Frenchman on loan in January before completing a permanent deal in the summer. Manchester United are reluctant to sell their £89m record signing but that stance could soften if Juventus offer Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro in part-exchange.

However, if Pogba is to leave Old Trafford, the Serie A side will face competition for his signature from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. (Tuttosport)

Juve's interest in Pogba could also be rivalled by Real Madrid should Los Blancos appoint Conte. The Italian coach worked with the World Cup winner while in charge of Juventus and would make the 25-year-old his primary target at the Bernabeu. (Calciomercato)

Paul Pogba applauds supporters at the final whistle of Manchester United's Premier League match against Everton at Old Trafford
Image: Paul Pogba has five goals in 13 games for Manchester United this season

Juventus are interested in Fiorentina pair Federico Chiesa and Nikola Milenkovic. The latter is also reported to be a target for Manchester United, but La Viola are likely to demand as much as £89m for their sought-after duo. (Calciomercato)

GERMANY

Bayern Munich are keen to clinch a permanent deal for James Rodriguez, the Colombian creator currently on loan at the Allianz Arena from Real Madrid, but the 27-year-old is also wanted in England and by Italian champions Juventus. (Sportbild)

FRANCE

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he decided to leave Real Madrid for Juventus this summer because the 13-time champions of Europe made him feel he was "no longer indispensable to them".

during the Group H match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester United and Juventus at Old Trafford on October 23, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Image: Ronaldo has four goals in his last four games for Juventus since a summer move from Madrid

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner joined the Bianconeri in July in a deal worth £89m. (L'Equipe)

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