Real Madrid have long been linked with Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe and despite speculation the France star is set to sign a new contract with the Ligue 1 giants the La Liga outfit have not given hope.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have just been crowned Spanish champions and booked their place in the Champions League final against Liverpool in Paris leaving them handily placed to thrash out a deal potential deal.
Elsewhere, Los Blancos midfielder Casemiro is on the radar of several Premier League clubs while PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a job in Spain should he depart the Parc des Prince as expected in the summer.
Here are the top transfer stories doing the rounds in the European media today..
Madrid's Mbappe battle
“Total confidence and serenity…” That is how real Madrid are feeling about their prospects of luring Mbappe away from PSG in the summer. Marca says that despite reports that Mbappe had changed his mind and could stay in Paris, Real Madrid directors are convinced of the French striker’s desire to move now he is out of contract.
Mbappe, 23, provoked much frenzy when spotted in Madrid and was seen with PSG team-mate Achraf Hakimi. Marca claim that "with less than two months remaining on his PSG contract, and the player about to make a decision on his future in the coming days, his presence in the Spanish capital has led to the rumour mill running wild".
Juventus face Casemiro fight
Casemiro is available and being chased by a Premier League club - plus Juventus and PSG. The claim is made by Cadena SER in Spain, who reckon the 30-year-old wants a €12m a year salary. "Sources from European clubs explain that Casemiro's name is on the table of important clubs such as PSG, Juventus Turin and a Premier League giant," their story says.
Casemiro's salary expectations would rule out all but the top three or four clubs in England. Brazilian outlet UOL Esport reported last week that Real Madrid are open to selling the midfielder, who has a deal at the Bernabeu until 2025.
Poch to become a Basque?
Former Spurs favourite Pochettino is being lined up by Athletic Bilbao. After missing out on the Manchester United job last month, Pochettino could find a way out of PSG to La Liga.
The Basque club are currently managed by Marcelino Garcia Toral, an dthe switch is being tipped by L’Equipe. Mauricio Pochettino could be offered a surprise exit route from PSG, with Athletic Bilbao reportedly making contact with the former Tottenham coach. The Basque club are lining up the Argentine to replace current manager Marcelino García Toral.
Origi looks Milan bound
Liverpool striker Divock Origi has declined a move to Newcastle and wants to play for Milan, according to reports in Calciomercato. The Belgian was offered the chance to move from Anfield to St James’ Park but has reportedly promised Paolo Maldini he will head to Serie A instead. Origi, who is out of contract in the summer, is being lined up to be Milan’s first signing of the transfer dinwo and lured with a €4m a year for four years, and one of five new arrivals at San Siro.
A transfer than smells wrong
New ways of engineering a move away from a club are cropping up all the time - including flatulence. Take note of the case of Lyon defender Marcelo, any unhappy players looking for an excuse for a summer move. L’Equipe reports that former Lyon defender Marcelo was axed from the squad and moved on because he farted too much in the dressing room and laughed about it, much to the annoyance of Sporting Director Juninho
He was demoted for “inappropriate behaviour” after a 3-0 defeat to Angers earlier this season. Juninho decided with manager Peter Bosz, to remove him from the squad and the 34-year-old’s contract was terminated at the end of January. He has since joined Bordeaux. Bosz will stay as boss next season.
