Manchester United are readying a €150m spree to bolster their midfield and attack in January, while Liverpool links to an upcoming keeper have grown stronger, according to Thursday’s European papers.
MAN UTD MAKE JANUARY INTENTIONS CLEAR WITH DOUBLE RAID ON CARDS
Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo have gone big on claims that Manchester United are prepping a €100m approach for Inter Milan attacker Lautaro Martinez in January.
The Argentina forward is fast emerging as one of the world game’s most in-demand stars with Martinez already strongly linked with a move to Barcelona next summer.
But after reports on Wednesday suggested United had already made discreet enquiries for the player over a potential move, El Mundo now suggests that the Red Devils are emerging as a genuine option for the 22-year-old.
The report suggests United could be willing to spend as much as €111m to sign the striker, which is far greater than the €96m exit clause that exists in his deal, and could try and sign the player as early as January in a bid to trump Barca to his signature.
Martinez has seven goals in 13 games, including four in his last four games, so far this season and has formed a brilliant understanding with former United striker Romelu Lukaku in the Inter Milan attack.
In addition, RMC Sport claims United have made Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare their No 1 target to bolster their midfield options this summer.
The French outlet claims United have extensively scouted the 6ft 2in star in recent weeks – taking in their recent Champions League match against Valencia – and believe the midfield powerhouse has all the ingredients required to prove a success in the Premier League.
The player was the subject of a failed €40m approach from Wolves over the summer, but it’s expected a similar approach from United will be difficult to resist in January.
United have also been linked with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria, but it’s now suggested they feel Soumare would be better suited to their game, with the double raid set to empty United’s coffers to the tune of €150m.
AND THE REST
Liverpool sent scouts to watch €15m-rated Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir in their 2-2 draw against Istanbul Basaksehir on Monday – and watched him put in an excellent display (Sabah)
Tottenham have been told that if they want to sign Bruno Fernandes in January, they will have to raise the €65m package they bid for the attacking midfielder in the summer (A Bola)
Juventus hope the sway of Cristiano Ronaldo can help them beat rivals Man Utd and Liverpool to the signing of Erling Braut Haland from RB Salzburg in January, with the Italian giants preparing to launch a €40m approach (Don Balon)
Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has ruled out a possible January approach for their troubled former star Granit Xhaka, despite the player’s recent troubles at Arsenal (Sportbuzzer)
PSG have emerged as leading contenders to sign Emre Can from Juventus in January, with talks over a deal said to be well down the line (Le10 Sport)
Man Utd target Ivan Rakitic will choose between Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus when he leaves Barcelona in January (Marca)
Bayern Munich are looking at Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino as a possible replacement for manager Niko Kovac (Sport1)
Manchester City and Arsenal are the two leading contenders to sign Real Madrid playmaker Isco in the January transfer window (Mundo Deportivo)
Barcelona are plotting a bumper approach to Juventus for winger Federico Bernardeschi – and could be ready to make the player their latest €100m signing (Mundo Deportivo)
AC Milan are ready to make another move to try to sign Liverpool and Croatia defender Dejan Lovren (Tuttosport)
Juventus are willing to sell Mario Mandzukic to Manchester United or Sevilla in January – and want just €5m for the veteran Croatian striker (Calciomercato)
Inter Milan have learned that top target Layvin Kurzawa is set to leave PSG as a free agent in the summer of 2020 (Le Parisian)
Marco Verratti’s new deal with PSG until 2024 is worth a staggering €17m per year – making him the highest-paid Italian footballer of all time (Calciomercato)
Udinese are considering the future of coach Igor Tudor after back-to-back defeats to Atalanta and Roma, with Gennaro Gattuso the favourite to replace him in the hotseat (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Brazilian club Flamengo are the surprise leading suitor to sign Ligue 1 giants PSG’s veteran striker Edinson Cavani in January (Calciomercato)
Manchester City want to re-sign England forward Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, but the 19-year-old, who was at City’s academy before moving to Germany, would cost more than £100m (SportBild)
Fiorentina are looking to secure the signature of Sassuolo attacker Domenico Berardi next summer (Corriere Fiorentino)
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