Tuesday 12 June 2018 11:42, UK
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured Europe’s news outlets to bring you all the headlines from the continent.
Barcelona could use Rafinha as a bargaining chip with Tottenham Hotspur in a bid to land Christian Eriksen. Spurs are keen on the Brazilian midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Inter Milan. The Italians had an option to sign Rafinha permanently for €35m, but believe they can land the 25-year-old at a cheaper price. Spurs have made Rafinha a transfer target but the player has also been the subject of West Ham United transfer rumours. (Sport)
Zinedine Zidane is relaxed about his future after leaving Real Madrid and has no immediate plans to return to management. The Frenchman was at the French Open tennis final and spoke to journalists at the weekend. "I'm resting and I don't know what I'm going to do," he said. "What's important is the decision that I took. We will see what happens afterwards." Madrid are yet to appoint a replacement so far, and according to French network Radio Montecarlo, Andre Villa-Boas has emerged as another candidate for the role. (Marca)
Real Madrid are weighing up whether to sign Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea or Jan Oblak from city rivals Atletico. The former would be a cheaper option, as Oblak has a €100m release clause. Courtois, who has one more year on his current Chelsea deal, is believed to favour a return to Spain for family reasons - and this summer could be the only chance for the Blues to cash in on him. (AS)
Antoine Griezmann could reveal his future today at a World Cup press conference. The striker, a Barcelona transfer target, said he would announce where he will be playing next season ahead of France's opening game with Australia this Saturday. "In Spain, some say I'm staying, others I'm leaving," Griezmann told Téléfoot. I'll say it before we play the first game. The World Cup for France starts on Saturday. There is still time." (Mundo Deportivo)
Depending on the future of Medhi Benatia, who is an Arsenal transfer target, Juventus have eyed a move for Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt. However, if they are unable to land the 18-year-old, they could make a move for 32-year-old Uruguayan, Diego Godin. The centre-back's contract runs out in a year and may be available for £15m, with his club Atletico Madrid willing to cash in. (Tuttosport)
Juventus are closing in on Manchester United transfer target Aleksandr Golovin, with the Italians in advanced talks with CSKA Moscow. The 22-year-old is set to feature for Russia in the opening match of the World Cup against Saudi Arabia on Thursday. Juventus are believed to have been tracking Golovin for the last six months and are hopeful on completing the deal. The player was also a transfer target for Chelsea, Arsenal and Monaco. (Corriere dello Sport)
Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan is an Inter Milan transfer target for £30m. The Belgian has been with Roma for four years but is keen on the move. Nainggolan's agent Alessandro Beltrami is believed to have already met with Inter officials. Inter could make a lower offer initially, throwing in a couple of younger players, Nicolò Zaniolo and Federico Valietti, as part of a potential deal. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)
Lyon are tracking Nantes' versatile midfielder Valentin Rongier, who is also a transfer target for Marseille and Napoli. The 23-year-old can play as a defensive midfielder or in a more attacking role if required, and Lyon are exploring whether to make a bid for the player contracted until 2022. Lyon's Jordan Ferri could be part of a swap deal. (L'Equipe)
Nice striker Alassane Plea will not leave the club for less than €25m. The Frenchman scored 16 goals in Ligue 1 last season and has become a Monaco transfer target. It is believed Nice will allow Plea to leave the club this summer but not on the cheap. Borussia Dortmund are also said to be keen, while Plea was the subject of Leicester City transfer rumours in May. (Le 10 Sport)
Schalke 04 defender Thilo Lehrer has emerged as Juventus transfer target for around €20m. The 21-year-old's current deal runs out next summer and Schalke could lose the player for nothing. Barcelona have also made Lehrer a transfer target, with new sporting director Eric Abidal a fan of the versatile defender. (Kicker)
Borussia Dortmund face a battle to hold on to 13-year-old sensation Youssoufa Moukoko, who features for the U17 side. Moukoko scored 39 goals in 27 games last season and has now become a Barcelona transfer target. Officials from the Catalan giants were in attendance at the weekend to watch the player in action against Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored once and assisted another in a 2-0 win. (Sport Bild)
