Sadio Mane's transfer decision holds the key to Robert Lewandowski’s future as the summer transfer window fast approaches in Europe.
Romelu Lukaku's Chelsea return has proved to be an expensive mistake so far, and the Belgian reportedly wants to return to his former club in a loan deal. Jose Mourinho is interested in signing another Manchester United star, and Arsenal are looking at two possible signings from Serie A.
Meanwhile, Neymar has spoken about his Paris Saint-Germain future - and a France legend has ruled out becoming the club’s new head coach. Here are the best stories from the European press on Monday...
Lewandowski is waiting for news from Liverpool
With Kylian Mbappe re-signing at PSG, the best transfer soap opera is now the future of Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who wants to leave Bayern Munich.
Marca reports that Barcelona want to make Lewandowski their top summer signing with Ousmane Dembele set to leave on a free transfer. And the Spanish sports daily says if the Bundesliga champions sign Mane, they will allow their top scorer - who only has one year left on his contract and is refusing to sign an extension - to leave.
Lewandowski was at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend and told Sky Deutschland: “The time will come to give information. Soon it will be possible to say more.”
Big Rom wants Milan return
Inter Milan lost their Serie A this season after selling Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea last summer, and now they want them both back. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Belgium star would welcome the move but there are big financial obstacles to re-signing a player they sold for £97.5m.
The Italian sports daily claims that Inter want to do a loan deal and that Lukaku is willing to accept a big wage cut and accept €7m (£5,96m) a year net. If the deal is done by the end of June, tax breaks would allow Inter to pay “only” €10m (£8.5m) a year gross instead of €14m (£11.9m).
Mourinho offers Man Utd solution
After winning the first UEFA Conference League title, Jose Mourinho has challenged the Roma owners to back him in the transfer market to build a team to qualify for the Champions League.
On his wish list are two players from his former club Manchester United to join Chris Smalling, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is out of contract in 2024, would be a €30m (£25.5m) target - though Roma would rather take the England full-back on loan.
The cheaper alternative would be Diogo Dalot, who would cost about €15m (£12.7m), although Fiorentina are also interested. Bartosz Bereszynski of Sampdoria and Leipzig’s Benjamin Henrichs are other full-backs being monitored.
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Arsenal want two Serie A stars
The Gunners are close to the €25m (£21.3m) signing of Bologna’s Scottish left-back Aaron Hickey. And Gazzetta dello Sport adds that the Gunners would also be interested in Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen if Napoli decide to sell him this summer - though the Serie A club would want at least €100m (£85.1m) for Osimhen with Manchester United also interested.
Neymar will stay at PSG - but no Zidane
Following the huge investment in Kylian Mbappe’s new contract, L’Equipe reported last week that the Ligue 1 champions would be prepared to let Brazilian superstar Neymar leave on loan. But speaking to Canal Football Club on Sunday night, Neymar was asked if his aim was to win the Champions League next season “... maybe with PSG”.
The former Barcelona star responded: "Maybe? No, it has to be with Paris. I have a contract with Paris Saint-Germain, so there is no other choice. Yes it will be with Paris Saint-Germain."
But Telefoot has reported that Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane is not interested in replacing Mauricio Pochettino as PSG head coach because the Marseille-born star is not “convinced” by the sporting project of the Qatari-owned club.
