As the summer transfer window approaches, clubs across Europe are already busy striking deals which could have huge ramifications for Premier League sides. A former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star is interesting West Ham, while Adama Traore looks set to return from a loan spell in Spain.
Two Italian clubs are seeking to fend off English interest in the top strikers while Manchester United have been linked with another marksman - and Antonio Cassano has warned Barcelona off signing a struggling Chelsea forward.
Here are the top transfer stories in the European papers today...
Man Utd and PSG making Dembele offers
France star Ousmane Dembele signed for Barcelona for an inflated €145m (£121.8m) in 2017 after the sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, but he will be out of contract this summer following an injury-hit spell at Camp Nou.
Spanish TV show El Chiringuito has claimed Manchester United have offered Dembele a contract worth €8.4-12.6m a year, while Qatari-owned PSG have also reportedly offered the former Rennes forward £14.2m-a-year to return to Ligue 1.
Lukaku would make Barcelona 'unwatchable'
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has been linked with Barcelona should Dembele move on despite the financial problems any deal would present. But Marca reports that former Italy striker Antonio Cassano, who played for Real Madrid, warned against the signing. He told Christian Vieiri on Bobo TV: "I'm in love with Barca's philosophy, but if they sign to Lukaku, I won't watch them anymore. He's incapable of stringing three passes together.”
Meanwhile, one player who could be on his way back to England from Barcelona is Adama Traore. Wolves loaned out the Spain winger this season with the option of a £25.2m transfer this summer, though Marca reports that head coach Xavi is to prioritise re-signing Ousmane Dembele and does not want to spend the money on Traore. His availability will alert top Premier League clubs.
James on West Ham’s shopping list
David Moyes is looking to strengthen a West Ham squad which has missed out on Champions League football this season - and according to TodoFichajes, Colombian James Rodriguez is an option to upgrade the attacking threat of the east London club with Manuel Lanzini’s future at the club uncertain.
James earned a transfer to Real Madrid after starring at the 2014 World Cup and was then loaned out to Bayern Munich. He reunited with Carlo Ancelotti for the 2020-21 season at Everton when he scored six goals. James, 30, is currently with Saudi side Al-Rayyan and would cost £13.4m.
Osimhen and Martinez set to stay in Serie A
Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Napoli qualifying for the Champions League will bank the southern club up to £47.7m and ease the pressure to sell Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who has interested Arsenal. Dries Mertens, who is out of contract this summer, could also be offered a new deal.
Inter Milan were forced to sell off prime assets Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi last summer to plug soaring debts, and Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez is now their most valuable player. Atlético Madrid, Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal are all interested, according to Gazzetta - but the Milan-based sports daily claims Inter, who are competing to retain their title with city rivals AC Milan, have formulated a plan to sell off fringe and on-loan players to allow them to keep Lautaro.
First spending of a new Milan era
Expect a lot of transfer stories about Milan this summer with Bahrain investment company Investcorp negotiating a £850m buyout to become the first Arab owners of a Serie A club. Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the first investment will be offering a new, long-term contract to Portuguese midfielder Rafael Leao to fend off interest from Paris Saint-Germain. While ESPN claim Milan, along with Juventus, are interested in signing Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard on a free transfer.
