Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd join race for Dortmund star; Messi wants Bayern man at Barca

Manchester United have joined the race for one of Germany’s top young talents, while Lionel Messi has given Barcelona the name of a left-back he wants them to sign, according to Tuesday’s European papers.

UNITED JOIN RACE FOR DORTMUND MIDFIELDER

Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl.

The 22-yer-old still has three years remaining on his contract with the Bundesliga giants but that has not stopped some of Europe’s big guns sniffing around one of Germany’s top young talents.

The report states that United are ready to make a big-money bid in the summer, but could face competition from Barcelona and Bayern Munich, who have both been linked with the player in the past.

Weigl, who is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder, has played more than 70 Bundesliga games for Dortmund and has one five senior caps for Germany.

MESSI IDENTIFIES NEW LEFT-BACK 

Lionel Messi has reportedly handed the Barcelona hierarchy a list of candidates to replace left-back Jordi Alba.

It’s not quite clear what the future holds for 28-year-old Alba, but after making 29 appearances this season, he has been left out of the last two La Liga line-ups.

David Alaba: Big fan of Arsenal
Lucas Digne started against Espanyol and Alaves, but Messi wants the club to strengthen in that area and the Argentine superstar has given the board of directors a list of candidates who could potentially be brought in to fill the void.

Bayern Munich’s Austrian defender David Alaba is top of the list, report Don Balon.

MAN UTD OFFERED CHANCE TO SIGN LA LIGA DUO

Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign two players from La Liga this summer, according to reports in Spain.

Diario Gol suggests United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been approached by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez with first refusal on a deal for long-serving striker Karim Benzema, who looks set to be shown the door this summer.

The Spanish outlet claims Perez hopes the potential deal will act as a sweetener ahead of a fresh attempt to bring long-term target David De Gea to the club from Old Trafford, amid talk the goalkeeper will push to finally make the move this summer.

But while United will decline the offer – particularly for the alleged €60million asking price – they could be tempted by a similar approach from Barcelona.

The same outlet claims the La Liga table toppers have spoken with representatives of both Chelsea and United to see if they would be interested in signing Ousmane Dembele this summer.

The France winger only arrived last summer, but has had a torrid time with injuries and it’s claimed they could allow him to leave for €100m – that’s €5m less than they paid Borussia Dortmund.

Barcelona are reportedly closing on a summer swoop for Antoine Griezmann, but after making this admission about their transfer budget this summer, do need to raise funds to bring in the Atletico Madrid favourite, who has a €100m exit clause in his contract.

Griezmann, meanwhile, is already house-hunting in the city ahead of the anticipated move.

AND THE REST
Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto is set to sign a contract extension. (Mundo Deportivo)


Luis Fernandez, PSG’s head of academy, has claimed that Neymar will stay put in Paris and will not leave, despite Real Madrid’s known interest in him.

Fernandez said: “I put my hand in the fire because Neymar is not going to go to Real Madrid, he is showing that he likes to play here. If PSG has gone to look for Neymar or Mbappé it is for them to stay, not for them to leave.” (Cadena SER)


Former Barcelona Luis Enrique, who has been linked with Chelsea, is not interested in taking a new job until the end of the season. (Goal)


Arsenal and Liverpool have suffered a blow to their chances of landing Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey with claims the winger has his heart set on playing for Chelsea. (Kicker)

Former Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy has admitted he was “angry” with Arsene Wenger for blocking a move to Manchester United last season.

Paris Saint-Germain are interested in acquiring AS Roma forward Patrik Schick. (Paris United)

Arsenal have identified Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak as the man they want to replace Petr Cech. (Mundo Deportivo)

AC Milan were offered Schalke’s Max Meyer last summer. (Calciomercato)

Chelsea have told Real Madrid they want Marco Asensio as part of any deal for Eden Hazard this summer, amid talk the Belgian could move in a £120million switch (Diario Gol)

Paris Saint-Germain’s sporting director Luis Fernandez has ruled out Real Madrid target Neymar leaving the Parc des Princes this summer (Cadena Ser)

Gareth Bale will be sold in the summer should anyone be willing to meet Real Madrid’s €90million price tag (Diario Gol)

Manchester City are preparing a €25million summer assault for Inter Milan’s highly-rated Slovakian centre-back Milan Skriniar, whose arrival could see Vincent Kompany allowed to leave (Corriere dello Sport)

AC Milan are closing on the free transfer signing of Sampdoria left-back Ivan Strinic this summer (Calciomercato)

Napoli will reportedly meet Maurizio Sarri next month to discuss a new contract, as well as removing his release clause (Il Mattino)

Liverpool and Arsenal have both agreed to pay the €32m release clause for Hoffenheim star Kerem Demirbay (SportsBild)

Roma and Inter Milan are ready to challenge Juventus and Manchester United for Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante this summer (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Newcastle are set to revive their interest in £20million-rated Denmark striker Nicolai Jorgensen in the summer (De Telegraaf)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been accused of not trying during his last months at Dortmund in order to force through a January transfer move (FAZ)

French midfielder Blaise Matuidi is likely to miss Juventus’ Champions League first-leg tie against Tottenham next week with a thigh injury

Inter Milan have reportedly had a €20m bid for Lautaro Martinez knocked back by Racing Club, but there’s optimism a deal will be completed (SportItalia)

Alvaro Morata has emerged as a surprise target for Paris Saint-Germain this summer (L’Equipe)