Arsenal and Newcastle plan to resurrect transfer interest in an exciting summer target, while Chelsea’s rejection over a manager approach is revealed – both in all the latest Euro Paper Talk.
ARSENAL, NEWCASTLE EYE ALEX GRIMALDO
Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo is reportedly a January transfer target for Arsenal and Newcastle, with Juventus also lurking.
The Premier League duo made strong signings this summer as they look to progress from last season. And both have made impressive starts to the campaign.
Newcastle goalkeeper signing Nick Pope has settled in well, helping the Magpies to just one defeat in the Premier League so far. Arsenal have also only lost one game, with striker addition Gabriel Jesus in fine form.
However, there was talk of signings not done in the summer transfer window. Both Arsenal and Newcastle looked at further midfield additions.
According to TuttoJuve, though, the top-flight pair are keen on former Spain Under-21 international Grimaldo.
Arsenal and Newcastle in fact had strong links with the left-back in the summer transfer window, despite adding Oleksandr Zinchenko and Matt Targett on the left flank, respectively.
But, as he has entered the final year of his contract, the circumstances of a deal have changed. Grimaldo is free to talk to overseas clubs from January onwards about a pre-contract agreement ahead of him entering free agency.
Or, he could even leave Benfica in January. The Portuguese giants have reportedly set a fee of less than €10million (£8.6million) for their left-back.
But as well as the Premier League interest in Grimaldo, Juventus are watching him closely too. And they will observe his performance against their team in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Grimaldo joined Benfica from Barcelona in 2016 and has made 259 appearances, scoring 20 goals and assisting 52 others.
Amid the modern role for full-backs to bomb forward and contribute to attacks, those statistics have caught the eye among his suitors. Indeed, Grimaldo has played in more advanced roles in his career.
AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly received a swift ‘no’ from Sporting after enquiring about manager Ruben Amorim’s availability before turning to Brighton’s Graham Potter. (Record)
Leeds United winger Luis Sinisterra could star at AC Milan in the Champions League if Chelsea-linked Rafael Leao left, claims Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti. (Numero Diaz)
Everton could make a move for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhalo Mudryk following his performance against RB Leipzig. (Calciomercato)
Arsenal have also had links with Mudryk and the Ukrainian admitted he would find it hard to turn the Gunners down. (CBS Sports)
Meanwhile, Toffees summer target Mohammed Kudus could be worth €70million (£60million) next summer, claims former Ajax star Keje Molenaar. (Het Parool)
BERNARDO SILVA FANCIES BARCELONA SWITCH
Bernardo Silva still has a desire to move to Barcelona. What’s more, he thought the La Liga side did not engage with Manchester City properly about a summer transfer. (Sport)
Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite has claimed that Ousmane Dembele “makes the difference more” than Robert Lewandowski in a thrilling verdict on the Frenchman. (RCA1)
Jordi Alba says “nothing surprises me anymore” in football following Barca’s shock attempt to loan him to Inter. (Mundo Deportivo)
Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli has admitted that his club “pretended” to engage in talks with “everybody” this summer – but were instead focused on building a young team. Manchester United had links with a swap deal involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Victor Osimhen. (Corriere dello Sport)
Giuntoli has also revealed that the club were forced to sell Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea to cut their wage bill. (Corriere dello Sport)
INTER HOLD EMERGENCY FORM MEETING
Inter held an emergency meeting on Thursday after a third defeat in four games, with Nicolo Barella and Samir Handanovic calling for a change in attitude. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Eder Militao picked up a muscle injury in Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Celtic but could return for the derby against Atletico Madrid next Sunday. (AS)
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl claims Erling Haaland became a “burden” at the club. Indeed, he adds that 10 different players scoring for the club this season “proves it”. (Bild)
Nottingham Forest want to sign Sao Paolo’s Igor Gomes in January to further bolster their squad. (Goal)
AC Milan want to tie Sandro Tonali down to a new contract after his impressive rise with the Rossoneri. (Gianluca di Marzio)
