Daily Roundup: Latest Football News Content Across Europe
Spain
Arsenal and Chelsea both want to appoint ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique as their next manager. The Premier League champions are not looking to part ways with Antonio Conte before the season ends but they are working behind the scenes if the worst happens. Arsenal, on the other hand, will review Arsene Wenger’s performance at the end of the season and decide whether they want to freshen things up at the Emirates. (Mundo Deportivo)
Robert Lewandowski and his agent have met with Bayern Munich to discuss a transfer to Real Madrid. The 29-year-old striker wants to move to the Bernabeu but the Bavarian-based club is reluctant to sell to a club they consider to be a European rival. The Bundesliga leaders are already looking for a new No 9 but it is believed that Lewandowski won’t force the issue out of respect. (Marca)
When asked about a potential move to Real Madrid, Eden Hazard kept his options open, saying: “In football, you never know,” but he did stress that he was “happy” at Chelsea. The Belgian playmaker has been linked with a move to the Spanish capital, with Zinedine Zidane earmarking him as the man to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. (Marca)
Germany
Hermann Gerland, Bayern Munich’s assistant manager, played a key part in getting Leon Goretzka to ignore the advances of Barcelona and Liverpool to sign for the Bavarian giants. He first saw Goretzka playing for Bochum and has been a close family friend ever since. Gerland believes the box-to-box midfielder could play for the Bundesliga champions for the next 15 years: “Bayern Munich has signed with Leon a young player who can easily play for the club ten, if not even 15 years.” (SportBild)
Ivan Rakitic has revealed that he still keeps track of what’s going on at Schalke. The Croatian midfielder returns to Germany for a Champions League tie with Bayern Munich, and said: “I still speak to Manuel Neuer. That’s why it’s always special when I think back. I still keep track of what happens at Schalke.” (SportBild)
Italy
Inter Milan have made it clear to Mauro Icardi’s entourage that he will not be able to leave the San Siro for anything less than the €97m (£86m) release clause in his contract. Real Madrid are interested in bringing the former Barcelona academy player to the club. (Calciomercato)
Racing Club striker Lautaro Martinez, a reported Liverpool transfer target, has agreed to join Inter Milan, despite there being interest from Real Madrid according to his agent: “Lautaro had an offer from Real Madrid but his choice was to go to Inter because he wants to play, to be a protagonist and to feel at the center of a project.” (Calciomercato)
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera is a target for AC Milan, who would be prepared to spend £32m to sign the Spaniard. Herrera’s contract expires in 2019 and, after seeing his first-team place go to Nemanja Matic, is looking to move on. (Tuttosport)
France
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot has revealed that he looked up to Steven Gerrard as a youngster: “I really liked Steven Gerrard. For both his qualities, but also for what he represented in football and Liverpool. Of course, It speaks to all football lovers. He was an exceptional player.” (Le10Sport)
Thiago Silva might lose the PSG captain’s armband to compatriot Marquinhos. Manager Unai Emery still doesn’t trust the former after he failed to carry out his instructions in the now infamous defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League last season. (Le10Sport)