wicked.football

Manchester City have not been successful in their first attempt to appease Erling Haaland, who could now move elsewhere in a double transfer to also disappoint Liverpool, according to Friday’s Euro Paper Talk.

MAN CITY MADE TO WAIT BY HAALAND

Erling Haaland has rejected a £500,000-per-week offer from Manchester City, but is still open to joining them even if Real Madrid is his preference, according to reports.

The claims come from Spanish source AS. It has been revealed that City have stepped forward with a huge offer for the Borussia Dortmund striker.

He will be available for a release clause that does not reflect his true value in the summer. Dortmund would be powerless to keep him if it is activated and he wants to move.

Man City are one of the leading contenders for the Norwegian centre-forward. A striker of his pedigree could take the Premier League champions to another level.

They are one of the few clubs who could afford the package for his transfer and wages. But even they must weigh up the pros and cons of such a costly investment.

Things have seemed to be moving in the right direction still. But now, AS claim Haaland has turned down their opening contract offer, which would have seen him earn half a million pounds every week.

Instead, he is waiting for Real Madrid to respond with an offer of their own. Signing for the Spanish league leaders would be another high-profile move for Haaland.

There seem to have been conflicting claims about where Haaland would prefer to end up. Perhaps he and his entourage are just biding time before assessing all the options. Indeed, it is also claimed that Haaland’s initial snub of City is not terminal to their hopes.

Haaland could be part of double move

But Madrid are making big plans themselves and have also added Haaland’s Borussia Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham to their shopping list.

That’s according to Defensa Central, who claim that Los Blancos will be given preferential treatment by Dortmund in their pursuit.

The England international midfielder has also been linked with a Premier League transfer. However, he was willing to test himself abroad at a young age with Dortmund, so would be unlikely to shy away from Madrid either.

Real believe they are the favourites to sign Bellingham, even though they are currently focusing on their pursuit of a star striker like Haaland or Kylian Mbappe.

Bellingham has also been linked with Liverpool if he is to instead return to England.

NEWCASTLE READY OFFER FOR DEFENDER

Newcastle are willing to make an offer for young Sporting and Portugal defender Goncalo Inacio. (Ekrem Konur)

Atletico Madrid are seriously considering a move for Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech. (Fichajes)

Barcelona have joined rivals Real Madrid in the race to sign Kylian Mbappe as a free agent in the summer. (L’Equipe)

However, contact between Barcelona and Mbappe has been denied by sources closer to the Spanish side. (Mundo Deportivo)

What’s more, Real Madrid are not afraid of their rivals and believe the news is a leak from PSG. (Marca)

AC Milan have met with the representatives of Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, but Liverpool are also interested. (Telelombardia)

Milan have also approached Liverpool forward Divock Origi with a contract offer for four years worth €4m per season (£64,000 per week). (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

A hefty signing-on bonus could scupper Juventus’ hopes of signing Antonio Rudiger when his Chelsea contract expires. (Tuttosport)

Arsenal would be interested in Tite as a potential future manager after he leaves Brazil following the 2022 World Cup. (Globo Esporte)

HAZARD HOPING FOR CHELSEA RETURN

Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard would prefer to return to Chelsea once it is possible. (Diario Sport)

Manchester City are planning to ward off Barcelona by tying Riyad Mahrez to a new contract. (Ekrem Konur)

West Ham are battling another English club and Inter Milan for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic. (Corriere Fiorentino)

Arsenal have made contact with Barcelona about hijacking Aston Villa’s move for Philippe Coutinho. (Mundo Deportivo)

Granit Xhaka remains on Roma’s radar for the summer as they prepare to send Ainsley Maitland-Niles back to Arsenal. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

But Jose Mourinho also would welcome a reunion with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg if Roma can pay Tottenham €40m. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

AC Milan have identified Chelsea midfielder Jorginho as a potential replacement for Franck Kessie. (Calciomercato)

Meanwhile, Newcastle believe they can beat Milan to another midfield target, Renato Sanches of Lille. (Pianeta Milan)

AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Barcelona have joined PSG in the race for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. (Diario Sport)

Atletico Madrid could make a move for Inter’s Lautaro Martinez if the Serie A side beat them to Paulo Dybala. (La Repubblica)

Arsenal are able to afford striker target Darwin Nunez after opening talks with Benfica. (Record)

Ferran Torres has recommended his former Manchester City teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko to Barcelona. (Fichajes)

Wolves winger Francisco Trincao will be targeted by Benfica and Sporting if his loan does not become permanent. (Record)

There are no plans for Wolves to activate their option to buy, which complicates a permanent sale of Adama Traore to Barcelona. (Mundo Deportivo)

Two clubs have made contact with the agent of PSV winger Cody Gakpo about a summer transfer. (Eindhovens Dagblad)

Mohamed Elyounoussi is open to discussing a new contract with Southampton at the end of the season. (TV2)

Dries Mertens will leave Napoli as a free agent in the summer, when Inter Milan will look into taking him. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

The post Euro Paper Talk: Eye-watering offer unsuccessful as Haaland twist disappoints Man City, Liverpool; Newcastle prepare Portuguese bid appeared first on TEAMtalk.