Romelu Lukaku's return to Inter Milan is set to have a knock-on effect at the Italian club with stars set to be sold to Tottenham and Newcastle to balance the books.
And Arsenal ’s pursuit of a Nigeria striker could result in a Chelsea star going to Serie A. Barcelona are set to beat the Blues to a central defensive target as the Catalan side increase their offer for Robert Lewandowksi.
And Paris Saint-Germain are ready to admit defeat in their bid to appoint Zinedine Zidane while Edinson Cavani is not short of offers. Here is a roundup of the top transfer stories in the European media today:
Sales at Inter Milan
The front page of Gazzetta dello Sport today splashes with “Lukaku Arrives” after lengthy negotiations to take the Belgium striker back on loan. The Italian sports daily eulogises about Inter’s potential attacking trident next season with Lukaku set to partner Lautaro Martinez and new signing Paulo Dybala.
But Gazzetta warns that the expensive Lukaku deal is set to force Inter into sales to balance the books. Tottenham and Atletico Madrid tried to sign Argentine Martinez last summer and another offer would tempt Inter. Joaquin Correa is also a target for Newcastle and Marseille.
Arsenal not put off by €100m price tag for Osimhen
With deals for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland done, Napoli’s Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen could be the most expensive transfer of the summer window. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Arsenal are preparing to meet the €100m asking price demanded by Napoli although Manchester United retain an interest. Napoli are already losing Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens this summer and with the Osimhen money, the Italian sports daily reports they will bid to sign Italy forward Gianluca Scamacca or Chelsea’s Albanian forward Armando Broja who was on loan at Southampton last season.
Barca to beat the Blues to Jules Kounde
Chelsea are in need of defensive reinforcements and the Seville defender was a top priority. But Catalan station Esport3 has reported that the Frenchman suffered a thigh injury playing for Les Bleus on Monday and he will need an operation. This has caused Chelsea to hesitate over the deal - and allow Barcelona to step in. But the €60m price tag is a big obstacle to the Catalan club who are signing Andreas Christensen on a free transfer.
Lewandowski latest
Barcelona are also continuing their pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Poland striker. The Camp Nou club failed with an initial bid of €32m but RMC Sport reports that they have now returned with a second bid of €40m. But the German giants, who are haggling with Liverpool over a price for Sadio Mane, want €50m for a 33-year-old with a year left on his contract.
No Zidane for Paris Saint-German
The dream of the Qatari-owned club was to appoint the France World Cup winner as the new coach to replace the sacked Mauricio Pochettino. But Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told Spanish TV show El Chiringuito: "Zidane to Paris Saint-Germain ? I don’t know but he is still a Real Madrid and France. That is what I know about him.” Former Real coach Zidane wants to takeover from Didier Deschamps with France, maybe after the winter World Cup. And L’Equipe reports today that PSG are now pursuing Nice boss Christophe Gaultier. The Frenchman, 55, won the French title at Lille working with new PSG sporting director Jorge Campos.
Cavani to make it four top European leagues
The former Napoli and PSG striker is out of contract after two seasons at Old Trafford. And even though he is now 35, El Matador is still attracting offers from all over the world. Marca reports that Schalke in Germany, River Plate in Argentina and Toluca in Mexico have made approaches. But the Spanish sports daily says he wants to come to La Liga to experience a fourth top European league - with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla interested - to be ready for his fourth World Cup in November.
