Euro Paper Talk: Tottenham told a fat ‘no’ as Klopp battles Pep for lethal striker; Leeds eye £20m Rodrigo replacement
Liverpool are to slug it out with Man City and another European heavyweight after a prolifc striker was put up for sale, an England star is “hell-bent” on joining Barcelona, while Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Leeds are chasing a £20m striker to replace Rodrigo Moreno.
VLAHOVIC UP FOR SALE AT FIORENTINA
Four clubs are in the mix to sign Dusan Vlahovic after the striker rejected a huge offer to stay at Fiorentina.
The 21-year-old opted to remain in Serie A this summer, despite strong interest from Tottenham and transfer chief Fabio Paratici.
Since then, La Viola have frantically been trying to tie their star man down to a new deal.
Indeed, as per a report last week, they had offered Vlahovic a club-record package worth £35m over five years.
However, Fiorentina say the Serbian has now rejected those terms. Indeed, they will have little choice but to cash in on the striker – with four clubs leading the charge.
Indeed, as per Tuttosport, via Football Italia, it is Juventus who are leading the charge. They hope to finance his £50m signing by offering Fiorentina a two-loan deal with an obligation to buy. The deal would mirror the same deal by which they signed Federicho Chiesa in summer 2020.
However, the Serie A side would prefer a cash sale and know they could get that should his three Premier League suitors come calling.
Spurs are likely to try again – however, reports have indicated that a lack of Champions League football would result in an instant rejection.
Instead, it’s likely that Man City and Liverpool will go head-to-head for Vlahovic. He scored 21 goals in 37 appearances last season and already has six goals in eight games in 2021/22.
He was the subject of interest from Pep Guardiola last summer, while Jurgen Klopp is reportedly eyeing the Serb as a replacement for Roberto Firmino.
Fiorentina statement on Vlahovic snub
Wherever he ends up, it seems certain that Vlahovic will leave Florence in 2022.
And Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso is clearly disappointed by the outcome.
“When I arrived in Florence, I promised the fans that I would be up front with them and that I would never make promises that I couldn’t keep,” Commisso shared in an official club statement on Tuesday.
“I would therefore like to update the Fiorentina fans on an issue that has been much talked and spoken about in recent months – the question of Dusan Vlahovic’s contract.
“As you know, Fiorentina made a very significant offer to the player. Our proposal would have made him the highest paid player in the history of the club.
“We also improved our offer on a number of occasions in order to accommodate the requests of both Dusan and his entourage. However, despite our efforts, those offers have not been accepted.
“During my time in Florence over the past few weeks, I have personally endeavoured to find a solution that would make both the player and the club happy, but I am disappointed to say that our efforts and attempts have not been rewarded.
“At this point, all that we can do is acknowledge the wishes of the player and his entourage and quickly identify feasible, appropriate solutions as we proceed with this exciting new season.
“In any case, Dusan Vlahovic has a contract linking him to Fiorentina for the next 21 months. We have no doubt that the player will – as he always has – do his bit to help the team achieve its objectives, showing the same level of professionalism he has shown since he arrived in Florence, with the utmost respect from our fans, his team-mates, the coach and the club as a whole.”
LEEDS LOOK TO RAUL DE TOMAS
Leeds are chasing Raul De Tomas again and see the £20m-rated Espanyol striker as a replacement for Rodrigo Moreno should he leave next summer. (Todofijaches)
Raheem Sterling is ‘hell-bent’ on signing for Barcelona amid claims Manchester City could allow him to leave amid reduced playing time. (Mundo Deportivo)
Barcelona are emerging as surprise candidates to re-sign Alexis Sanchez amid claims he will be allowed to leave Inter Milan on a free. (Todofijaches)
Liverpool have been warned that any deal to sign Karim Adeyemi will likely set them back around €30m – €40m. (Sky Deutschland)
Former Granada manager Diego Martinez is the man Leeds will turn to if Marcelo Bielsa leaves Elland Road at the end of the season. (The Athletic)
Inter have reached an agreement with Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, with the Cameroon keeper set to replace Samir Handanovic at the San Siro. (Fabrizio Romano)
Mo Salah vs Jamie Vardy – Which Premier League hitman is more likely to stay the course?
ATLETICO MADRID LEAD TIELEMANS CHASE
Atletico Madrid are leading the chase to sign Youri Tielemans with the Leicester man an express wish of Diego Simeone. (Fijaches)
Manchester United will make a serious move for Franck Kessie in January – but only if Paul Pogba fails to meet their contract deadline. (Calciomercato)
Liverpool target Kacper Kozlowski insists he’s not impressed by “big names” amid links with the Reds, Milan and Leipzig. (Sport Interia)
Juventus are chasing Everton midfielder Allan, with Aaron Ramsey reportedly on offer in a swap deal. (Area Napoli)
Former Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic has strongly criticised Ronald Koeman’s hypocrisy in a damning interview. (Marca)
AND MORE FROM EURO PAPER TALK
AC Milan are in talks to extend Stefano Pioli’s contract with his deal due to expire in the summer. (MilanNews.it)
Chelsea are ready to rival Manchester City for RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku. (Foot Mercato)
Kylian Mbappe claims Real Madrid are the only side he would leave PSG to sign for. (Marca)
Juventus are close to finalising a deal to extend Paulo Dybala’s contract with them until 2025. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Inter Milan are pushing hard to sign Marcos Alonso and will launch an official approach in January. (Tuttomercato)
Juventus are planning to move on either Weston McKennie or Aaron Ramsey to beat Chelsea and Liverpool to Aurelien Tchouameni. (Calciomercato)
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