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European Paper Talk: Barcelona offer Manchester United target Samuel Umtiti new deal

Samuel Umtiti has made 19 appearances for Barcelona this season
Image: Samuel Umtiti has made 25 appearances for Barcelona this season

The transfer window does not reopen for a while yet but already clubs are jostling to get into position so they will be able to secure their primary targets come the summer.

Even with European football back on the calendar and the summer transfer window still months from opening, the rumour mill is in full swing.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the continental press to round up the latest transfer news.

Spain

Barcelona hope to keep Manchester United transfer target Samuel Umtiti at the Camp Nou with a new contract offer worth €6million (£5.3million) per year. That is reportedly the same amount as the Red Devils would be prepared to pay the centre-back. (Sport)

The media agenda in Spain today has been dominated by Real Madrid's 3-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Bernabeu last night. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for the holders - his 100th and 101st goals for Real in the Champions League - but insists Los Blancos must win in Paris in the return leg. "The tie is not over yet," he said. "We have to go to Paris to win and to score goals, to be calm and to qualify for the next phase." (Marca)

PSG forward Neymar, linked with a summer move to Madrid, insists he is happy to remain with the French side. Speaking after the Parisians' 3-1 defeat, he said: "I have a contract with PSG, now I'm focused on PSG and I'm happy." (Mundo Deportivo)

Former Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Andre Gomes will be allowed to leave Barcelona this summer. The La Liga leaders beat rivals Real Madrid to sign the Portuguese from Sporting in 2016 but he has disappointed at the Camp Nou and is now surplus to requirements. (AS)

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Turkey

Besiktas have agreed a deal with Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini which will see the 30-year-old move to Istanbul on a free transfer as the end of his contract. The Belgian has already turned down a contract offer from United and looked certain to depart Old Trafford this summer. (Fotomac)

Marouane Fellaini
Image: Marouane Fellaini has reportedly agreed a deal to join Besiktas after nearly five years at Old Trafford

Italy

Juventus are targeting a double summer raid of Serie A rivals Roma. Already understood to be keen on 21-year-old midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini, the Bianconeri are looking to bring teammate Alessandro Florenzi to Turin. (Calciomercato)

Lorenzo Pellegrini
Image: Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini (right) made his Italy debut last season but is yet to add to his tally

Bologna striker Simone Verdi has explained why he decided to turn down a move to Serie A leaders Napoli last month in favour of remaining with his current side. "Napoli's offer could change my career, I know," he said. "But after playing in six teams, at the age of 25 I found my home for the first time here. I feel like I have a project to run until June." (Corriere della Sera)

Ajax winger Amin Younes has already signed a pre-contract agreement with Napoli which would see him move to Naples this summer. However, the 24-year-old appears to have reneged on that agreement amid Bayern Munich transfer rumours. However, the Partenopei will reportedly threaten legal action against the German international if he does not join them as agreed. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Leicester City's title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri - currently at the helm of Ligue 1 side Nantes - says he would be 'proud' to manage the Italian national team. Gian Piero Ventura was sacked after the Azzurri failed to reach the 2018 World Cup and the search is on for his successor. "I would be proud," Ranieri said. "For Italy this is a moment where we must rebuild, put things right." (Corriere dello Sport)

Ex-Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri sees his side go five games unbeaten in Ligue 1
Image: Ex-Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has led Nantes to fifth in Ligue 1

Germany

Bayern Munich plan to exercise the €35.2million (£31.2million) permanent option in James Rodriguez's loan deal this summer. The Colombian attacker joined Die Roten on loan from Real Madrid for the next two seasons last summer. If the Bavarians wait until the end of the 2018/19 campaign Rodriguez would cost €45.2million (£40million) instead. (SportBild)

Chelsea transfer target Leon Bailey has been one of the stars of the Bundesliga season at Bayer Leverkusen. His impressive displays have not gone unnoticed and now, unsurprisingly, Bayern Munich are keen to sign the Jamaican winger who has eight league goals in just 14 outings for Die Werkself. (Kicker)

Leon Bailey scored a fine goal
Image: Leon Bailey has eight Bundesliga goals from 14 starts for Bayer Leverkusen this season

France

PSG's goalscorer from their first-leg defeat to Real Madrid, Adrien Rabiot, was critical after his side's 3-1 loss in the Spanish capital on Wednesday evening. "The problem is that it's easy to put eight in against Dijon or four in the championship. It's in these matches (against Real) that you have to be decisive." (L'Equipe)

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