Manchester United and Chelsea have fresh eyes on a rising France star, while a former Liverpool man rejects a move to Everton – both in all the latest Euro Paper Talk.
MAN UTD, CHELSEA EYE BADIASHILE
Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile is a transfer target for both Manchester United and Chelsea this summer, according to a report.
Both Premier League clubs have added to their defence this summer but want further additions in that area. The Blues, especially, want two more defenders after Kalidou Koulibaly, following the exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
United, meanwhile, have signed Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez as a versatile option.
Interest therefore remains in another centre-back raid – if new manager Erik ten Hag can trim his current ranks.
Man Utd and Chelsea have had links with Monaco’s France Under-21 international Badiashile before. And according to L’Equipe, the 21-year-old is back on their radar.
For now, the Prem duo are monitoring his pre-season progress as he continues his exciting rise with his Ligue 1 employers.
However, their interest could materialise – especially with Sevilla making the biggest advances towards Badiashile. Indeed, the La Liga side have met with Monaco and offered a player to try and reduce the fee for the Frenchman.
But Monaco are insisting that they want a minimum of €50million (£42.2million) for Badiashile. United’s deal for Martinez – worth up to £57million – means signing Badiashile would take their defensive spending to at least £99million.
Chelsea signed former Napoli man Koulibaly for around £34million, but Badiashile represents an exciting, more long-term option for his suitors.
He has 16 caps for France’s Under-21 team and played 24 Ligue 1 games last term, owing to a hamstring injuries. Man Utd and Chelsea will have keen eyes on him as Monaco’s season starts earlier than the Premier League.
Monaco play PSV Eindhoven in a two-legged Champions League qualification tie, with the first leg next Tuesday.
AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has rejected an offer from Everton as he instead closes in on a Roma move. (Calciomercato)
Roma have also stepped up talks over a move for Man Utd defender Eric Bailly, who is admired by Jose Mourinho. (Gianluca di Marzio)
Everton are close to signing Sporting and former Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre on a loan deal with an option to buy. In fact, Sporting boss Ruben Anorim has left the 23-year-old out of his pre-season plans. (Record)
Villarreal are in talks with Tottenham about a permanent deal for Giovani Lo Celso, who is still Unai Emery’s top target. (Fabrizio Romano)
Juventus have registered interest in Barcelona forward Memphis Depay following his Turin snub last summer. (Mundo Deportivo)
NEWCASTLE, AC MILAN MAKING MOVES
Newcastle and AC Milan continue to fight for Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio. However, the Spaniard’s wage demands are putting Eddie Howe’s side off. (AS)
The Magpies have also identified Monaco’s versatile winger Sofiane Diop as a summer transfer target. (Media Foot)
Meanwhile, AC Milan made fresh contact with Hakim Ziyech’s representatives last Friday to reaffirm their interest in the Chelsea winger. (Calciomercato)
Milan will move for the Blues’ Moroccan star if their pursuit of Leeds-linked Club Brugge star Charles de Ketelaere fails. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Chelsea could take the reins over a deal to sign Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong, but they will not pay as much as the Red Devils are offering for the Barcelona midfielder. (Sport)
EURO PAPER TALK – NO OFFERS FOR TIELEMANS
Leicester have not yet received any offers for Arsenal-linked midfielder Youri Tielemams, according to Foxes chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. (Goal)
Atletico Madrid are the best-placed club to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Man Utd. Indeed, they have agreed to shift Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata to ease their financial concerns. (El Partidazo de COPE)
Chelsea are considering a move for PSG’s assistant sporting director Maxwell to become their new head of transfer operations. (Fabrizio Romano)
PSG have hired a sports psychologist to try to end their Champions League habit of failing in the knock-out stages. (L’Equipe)
Newcastle are following striker Benjamin Sesko’s progress at RB Salzburg. (Fabrizio Romano)
