As summer transfer rumours hot up, the Spainish papers have been reacting to Real Madrid ’s late, great demolition of Manchester City.
The back pages and cover stories are quite a sight, summoning religion, such was the miracle. Marca says: “Let God come down and explain.” AS wrote: “Madrid is from another world” Sport has the simple: “Incredible” And Mundo Deportivo went with: “Groundhog Day”
And before we get to the big deals of the day, let’s reflect on how City players were analysed on the continent. In France, L’Equipe dished out some brutal ratings to City players. Kevin De Brunyne was given 3/10 and described as “transparent” and “missing,” while Gabriel Jesus was also blasted with a 3. Reuben Dias “lacked serenity in the storm” and was a 4, after conceding the crucial penalty.
Hey Frenkie. Man Utd have rivals in De Jong pursuit
Barcelona are willing to sell Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Manchester United are in pole position.
The 24 year old was coached by new boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax. He has a deal at Barca until 2026 but is up for sale according to Sport, with PSG and Bayern Munich interested.
Top Bundesliga star sparks Premier League scramble
RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku is ready to leave the German club and make a move to the Premier League.
The prospect of a summer spending spree by Newcastle United is in the news and L’Equipe says they are one of the clubs looking at Nkunku.
But will face huge competition from Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder is likely to step up to the Premier League this summer.
Newcastle linked with more players including centre back
Frankfurt defender Evan N’Dicka has a £17m release clause and Bild says the Geordies are watching him.
And in Italy, Sassuolo and Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca is also a target for the Toon and Inter.
Conte shopping in Portugal?
In Portugal Spurs are being linked with a bid for Sporting midfielder Joao Palhinha. The 26 year old is admired by Antonio Conte and played 26 times scoring three goals this season. (Jornal de Noticias)
Benfica holding out for Nunez auction
Benfica will wait until the end of the season to create an auction for star striker Darwin Nunez with Manchester United interested in an £80m deal.
His current manager Nelson Verissimo has previously stated that the club would look for the kind of astronomical fee they earned for Joao Felix, when he joined Atletico Madrid for more than £100m in the summer of 2019.
"It [a transfer] will be at the end of this season or the following season, depending on what he has shown, it is natural that it will arouse interest from other clubs and naturally there may be the time in which he goes. Now regarding numbers, I hope as a Benfica fan that he will go for numbers close to those that were Joao Felix's numbers. Now it's not for me to enter numbers on that field."
Chelsea striker wants away to Italy?
Juventus are eyeing Chelsea ’s Christian Pulisic as a target for next season according to Tuttosport, after the US star’s future was made uncertain by his father questioning the number of starts he gets at Stamford Bridge.
In a tweet which was posted and then subsequently deleted, his dad Mark said: “The sad thing is he loves this club, teammates, and London.… puts his heart and soul into being a pro. Onwards and upwards my boy…big 6 months ahead..”
