La Liga giants battle for Thiago
Thiago Alcantara will be the focus of Barcelona and Real Madrid as the Spanish giants go head to head for the Bayern Munich star.
The Spain international is currently in Russia for the World Cup, but after five years in Germany, Sport says he set for a move back to La Liga. Bayern will sell for €70 million, having signed the 27-year-old for just €25m in 2013.
Sporting director Eric Abidal and Ernesto Valverde have agreed to sign a ball-playing midfielder and will move for Thiago to ensure he does not join their bitter rivals.
Should Madrid be unable to land Thiago, then N’Golo Kante could emerge as a priority. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested, claims Le Parisien, with Kante likely to consider his Chelsea future after the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League and the likelihood of Antonio Conte leaving the club.
Juve plots double mega swoop
Tuttosport reports that Juventus are lining up two major signings in the form of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and a new striker: either Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata or Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi.
The Old Lady have been busy already this summer, finalising five new signings: Joao Cancelo from Valencia, Emre Can on a free after his Liverpool contract expired, Mattia Caldara and Leonardo Spinazzola.
Gonzalo Higuain’s time could be coming to an end however, with Juve looking for a younger, more mobile forward to pair with Paulo Dybala.
Lazio will look to keep Milinkovic-Savic despite being unable to offer Champions League football, and Chelsea could be open to selling Morata after his struggles to adapt to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Inter could be open to a deal for Icardi if they are able to receive Higuain in return, given the €110m release clause in their captain’s contract.
Man City, Man Utd keen on Mbappe
Manchester United and Manchester City are considering ambitious bids for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
The Ligue 1 champions will have to start paying the gargantuan fee the agreed with Monaco to sign the 19-year-old attacker, but are being investigated by UEFA over their lavish spending.
The Manchester sides will be ready to swoop in if PSG find themselves in trouble, with United considering offering Anthony Martial and a large sum in exchange for him.
Chelsea in for Alisson
Chelsea is set to rival Liverpool and Real Madrid in the race for Alisson’s signature.
The Brazil international is said to be valued at €70 million – a price tag that appears to be somewhat of a stumbling block – but he is seen as a viable replacement for Thibaut Courtois, who has been linked with a return to Spain.
Newcastle wants best Mitrovic deal
Newcastle United will not settle for an offer that does not meet their valuation of striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and are willing to wait for the right bid, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.
The Serbia international, who was on loan at Fulham last season, has been impressive for his country at the World Cup and is said to be on the radar of a number of Premier League sides, as well as clubs in the Bundesliga.
Inter makes €40m Malcom offer
Inter have make an offer to loan Malcom from Bordeaux, with an option to buy the winger for €40 million (£35m/$46m).
According to the report, the move for the 21-year-old Brazilian winger, who is on the radar of clubs across Europe, will have to be structured thus because of Financial Fair Play reasons.
Mahrez puts Man City deal at risk
Riyad Mahrez’s move to Manchester City could fail to materialise because of his demands of a part of the transfer fee.
City has long been after the Algeria star and are ready to snap him up this summer in a deal that could cost £75 million ($99m).
However, Mahrez is demanding a cut of the profit after playing a starring role for the Foxes and the hierarchy are reluctant to give in.
Barca, Real join kante race
Real Madrid are leading the race to sign Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, but Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are still in, Le Parisien reports.
The midfielder is contracted to Chelsea until 2021, but offers are expected to swarm in, as PSG director Antero Henrique has already been in London to discuss a deal with the Blues.
However, Madrid has made him a top priority, while Barca continue to hold an interest.
Man Utd target Gaya as Sandro alternative
Manchester United has given up on their pursuit of Juventus star Alex Sandro and will turn to Jose Gaya instead.
The Old Trafford side had the Brazilian at the top of their list of targets this summer but will not meet Juve’s asking price.
Instead, Valencia left-back Jose Gaya, who is expected to cost around £30 million ($40m).
