European Paper Talk: Ivan Rakitic wants to leave Barcelona
Latest news on Ivan Rakitic, James Rodriguez and Paulo Dybala
Friday 8 February 2019 10:18, UK
The transfer window may now be closed until the summer, but that doesn't mean the rumour mill has stopped turning.
So we asked our friends at Football Whispers to scour the European media to bring you the latest news and gossip from the continent.
Italy
James Rodriguez will only join Juventus if Paulo Dybala is sold. The Colombian, currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Real Madrid, is a Juve transfer target but is wary of the competition for places already in Turin. Dybala, who is said to be unsettled at the Italian champions, has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United. (Tuttosport)
Ivan Rakitic wants to leave Barcelona. The Croatian is wary of being 'crowded out' at the Camp Nou, with Frenkie de Jong set to join in the summer and with Adrien Rabiot also strongly linked. Inter Milan are among the frontrunners for Rakitic's signature should he decide to leave in the summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Jose Mourinho is in Milan amid reports linking him to a return to Inter. Current Nerazzurri boss Luciano Spalletti is under pressure following a poor run of results, with Mourinho and Antonio Conte both mentioned as potential replacements. Mourinho, who has also been linked with a possible return to Real Madrid, is set to hold talks with Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta. (Tuttosport)
AC Milan have agreed terms with Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin, with the young Frenchman set to join the Rossoneri in the summer. The 21-year-old emerged as Milan's top target in their search for a wide player after they missed out on Yannick Carrasco, who stayed in China despite being the subject of Arsenal transfer rumours. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Spain
Isco didn't consider leaving Real Madrid in the January transfer window despite his fractured relationship with Santiago Solari. The 26-year-old playmaker, who was linked with Juventus and Manchester City, has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu under the 42-year-old coach and this week took to social media to vow that he will continue to fight hard despite not receiving the same opportunities as his teammates. The Spain international was, once again, an unused substitute as Real played out a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final. (Marca)
Gareth Bale is no longer guaranteed a starting spot at Real Madrid following the emergence of Vinicius Junior. The Welshman, who was tipped to become the main man at the Spanish giants following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, has struggled to impress Solari and started the midweek Clasico on the bench. (Marca)
France
Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Europe, with the Barcelona forward earning a whopping £7.3m a month pre-tax. That is nearly double what Cristiano Ronaldo is earning at Juventus, with the Portuguese superstar's monthly earnings coming in at £4m. Alexis Sanchez earns more than any other Premier League, with the Chilean clearing just under £2m at Manchester United. (L'Equipe)
Bayern Munich are interested in signing 15-year-old Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki. (L'Equipe)
Germany
RB Leipzig assistant manager Jesse Marsch is the frontrunner to replace Marco Rose as Red Bull Salzburg head coach in the summer. (Sport BILD)
Having just announced the signing of young German striker Jann-Fiete Arp from Hamburg, Bayern are continuing to plan for the future and have now turned their attention to Schalke's highly rated 18-year-old striker Ahmed Kutucu. (Sport BILD)
