In today's latest European transfer headline, Manchester United and Tottenham are competing for an Italy defender as Erik ten Hag and Antonio Conte both seek to boost their back lines.
Paris Saint-Germain are ready to loan out another superstar following the re-signing of Kylian Mbappe. Meanwhile, Real Madrid - who were furious to lose out on signing Mbappe on a free transfer - are favourites to beat the French champions and Liverpool to the signing of a Monaco defender, and have also been linked with a top European striker.
Here are the top transfer news stories and gossip from across the continent today...
Inter defender on Premier League rivals' radar
After losing their Serie A title to city rivals AC Milan, Inter still have to sacrifice another big-name player to balance the books following the recent departures of Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi. This summer the Nerazzurri are desperate to keep hold of star striker Lautaro Martinez, so want to start an auction to get £50-60million for Italy Euro 2021 winner Alessandro Bastoni.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester City have enquired about him in the past. But now the Italian sports daily reports the competition is between Antonio Conte at Tottenham - who has been handed £150m to spend this summer - and new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
Neymar to Newcastle?
Brazilian superstar Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were signed in the same mad summer of 2017 when PSG established themselves as the biggest spenders in Europe. The club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi then claimed to have “the best player in the world at our club” about Neymar.
But now the massive investment in the new three-year contract of the Frenchman - and the poor performances from the £199m signing - sees L'Equipe claiming this morning Neymar is available to be loaned out. He signed a new contract till 2025 last year and earns €4m (£3.4m) net a month, so his salary is outside the reach of most clubs. The French sports daily suggests only Saudi-owned Newcastle could afford him but doubts the Brazilian would agree to move.
Have Your Say! Should PSG ditch Neymar this summer? Join the debate here.
Tchouameni to choose Real Madrid
The Spanish champions have got €200m (£170.6m) burning a hole in their pocket following Mbappe’s late decision to stay in Paris. But RMC Sport is reporting that Real have had more success with another Frenchman as they have beaten PSG and Liverpool to the €80m (£68.3m) signing of midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni.
It is reported that the 22-year-old has already told his team-mates he has agreed a five-year deal to join the Champions League finalists.
Latest on Lewandowski
Now Mbappe’s future has been confirmed, the transfer story of the summer promises to be Robert Lewandowski and his desire to leave Bayern Munich with one year left on his contract.
Spanish media at the weekend claimed Barcelona had made a €32m (£27.3m) bid for the 33–year-old Poland international. Now Cadena SER is reporting his agents have offered him to Real Madrid for next season.
French shock at Kamara choosing Aston Villa
Boubacar Kamara’s decision to swap Champions League football with Marseille for a free transfer to mid-table Aston Villa has shocked former PSG and Monaco star Jerome Rothen. He told RMC radio: “What shocks me is Aston Villa's position. He is going to the best championship in Europe, the richest, which attracts a lot of stars.
"But in this league there are five or six headliners. And Aston Villa are part of the second-class teams. They are not going to play the leading roles next year in the Premier League, I would even be surprised to see them in the top 10. So there is very little chance of playing in Europe.
“If you want to take a step and continue your progress, it will be difficult to do so on a sporting level at Aston Villa. I am extremely surprised by his choice. You are leaving OM, your first club who have qualified for the Champions League by finishing second in Ligue 1, for Aston Villa!"
