Fabio Paratici is now in a hurry to clear space among the Tottenham ranks for Nicolo Zaniolo, with a surprising casualty named, while Chelsea face an uncommon wait for their top defensive target – all in Wednesday’s Euro transfer gossip.
TOTTENHAM ENTERING ZANIOLO TALKS
Tottenham are stepping up plans to sign Nicolo Zaniolo from Roma while Fabio Paratici is in Italy.
Tuesday’s version of Euro Paper Talk revealed Zaniolo is someone under consideration by Paratici during a transfer market mission in his home country.
The claims came from Calciomercato, who have now added further weight to the links. Their latest update confirms Zaniolo is Paratici’s “number one objective”.
Head coach Antonio Conte is also an admirer of the attacking midfielder, who can play as a winger or supporting striker despite originally developing as a central midfielder.
Calciomercato note, though, that Tottenham must sell before they can buy – as has also been suggested in the English media.
Interestingly, two players Calciomercato claim could make way are Tanguy Ndombele and Lucas Moura. It seems a given that the former will be offloaded if a suitor arises after being omitted from a pre-season tour of South Korea.
Coincidentally, Roma have been named as one of the potential suitors for Ndombele, who could reunite with Jose Mourinho.
Zaniolo deal could depend on unexpected exit
But the suggestion of Moura departing is an interesting one. He was not one of the eight players tipped to be offloaded in a recent report from the Evening Standard.
There have been claims Moura could be converted into a wing-back by Conte this season. Although, Calciomercato suggest his high salary is one Tottenham could offload.
However Spurs clear space on their wage bill, they could then look into a deal for Zaniolo. The Italy international has two years left on his contract with Roma.
Other Italian sources have suggested he is leaning towards staying put. But if Paratici presses for a deal, it would be interesting to see what would happen.
CHELSEA KEPT WAITING FOR KOUNDE
Sevilla are waiting to sell Jules Kounde – likely to Chelsea – before approaching Tottenham for Sergio Reguilon. (ABC Sevilla)
But Barcelona have asked Sevilla to reject any other offers they receive for Kounde until they make their own. (Foot Mercato)
And Barcelona have also added Reguilon to their own shortlist in case they can’t sign Marcos Alonso from Chelsea. (Mundo Deportivo)
Atletico Madrid have rejected the offer of Cristiano Ronaldo’s services by his agent. Instead, they need to raise €40m (£34m) to register new players. (COPE)
Nuno Tavares has doubts about accepting Marseille as his next destination if he leaves Arsenal. (L’Equipe)
Arsenal have been offered unwanted Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji for between €20m (£17m) and €25m (£21.3m). However, he would rather join Manchester United. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)
Newcastle are keen on Bordeaux striker Sekou Mara following the French side’s demotion to the third tier. (Foot Mercato)
NEWCASTLE LAUNCH OFFICIAL HARRISON MOVE
Newcastle are drawing up an official €28m (£23.8m) offer for Jack Harrison, but Leeds would want €42m (£35.7m). (Tuttomercatoweb)
Crystal Palace have submitted a €15m (£12.8m) offer for Bayern Munich defender Chris Richards, with whom they have an agreement over a five-year contract. (Bild)
AC Milan have added Evan Ndicka to their centre-back shortlist, but it could be easier to sign Japhet Tanganga from Tottenham. (Fabrizio Romano)
Chelsea could sign Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig soon to free up Cesar Azpilicueta’s move to Barcelona. (Sport)
Napoli are leading the race for Fenerbahce centre-back Kim Min-jae, since they are ready to meet his €20m (£17m) release clause. However, Everton are also thinking about him. (Corriere Dello Sport)
AC Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara are flying to Belgium to try and sign Leeds United target Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge. (Sky Sport Italia)
LUIS SUAREZ LINKED WITH BUNDESLIGA SWITCH
Luis Suarez has been offered to Borussia Dortmund as a short-term replacement for Sebastien Haller. (Sky Sport Germany)
Bayern Munich will make a new offer for RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer soon. (Fabrizio Romano)
Former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is Roma’s next big target. The PSG flop wants to play for Jose Mourinho. (Corriere Dello Sport)
Inter have missed out on top defensive target Bremer to Juventus, but could still lose current starter Milan Skriniar to PSG for between €60m (£51.1m) and €65m (£55.4m). (Calciomercato)
Torino are ready to invest some of their Bremer windfall into a permanent deal for Leicester midfielder Dennis Praet. But they still need to up their offer. (Calciomercato)
PSG are considering a move for Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos. (L’Equipe)
AND THE REST
Arsenal youngster Marcelo Flores is wanted by all Spanish second-tier teams, but is close to joining Real Oviedo on loan. (ESPN Mexico)
Napoli are targeting Nahitan Nandez and Giovanni Simeone to replace Fabian Ruiz and Andrea Petagna. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)
Nicolas Tagliafico could leave Ajax to sign a three-year contract with Lyon next week. (L’Equipe)
Kevin Strootman is set to sign for Hellas Verona as a makeweight in the deal for Marseille to take Darko Lazovic. (Gianluca Di Marzio)
Serie A side Salernitana are looking at Krzysztof Piatek as a potential striker target after Fiorentina chose not to sign him. (Sky Sport Italia)
Former Arsenal attacker Stephy Mavididi has told Montpellier he wants to leave them. (L’Equipe).