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Euro Paper Talk: Tottenham striker Harry Kane back on Real Madrid's radar

Harry Kane pulled one back for Tottenham
Image: Tottenham striker Harry Kane is reportedly back on Real Madrid's list of transfer targets

The October international break allows clubs to take stock and reflect on the opening two months of the season.

As a result, coaches come under additional scrutiny while the break in matches means clubs can pursue potential alternatives in the dugout.

Our friends at Football Whispers have poured over the European media market to bring you the best stories from the continent.

SPAIN

Harry Kane is once again on the radar of Real Madrid following Los Blancos' struggles in front of goal. The European champions have scored just one goal in their last five games and president Florentino Perez wants to add a new striker next summer. However, the club were put off by Tottenham's £200m valuation this summer so RB Leipzig's Timo Werner represents a more affordable second option. (El Confidencial)

Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui has until the Clasico against Barcelona on October 28 to save his job. Madrid are winless and goalless in four games under the former Spain manager and confidence in the dressing room is "very low". But the board won't dismiss Lopetegui over the international break and he will take charge of their home La Liga game against Levante and trip to Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League before facing Barca at the Camp Nou. (Various)

Read Madrid head coach Julen Lopetegui is coming under pressure after four games without a win
Image: Julen Lopetegui is under pressure at Real Madrid

Although Lopetegui is safe for now, Madrid are still lining up alternatives in the dugout. Former Chelsea and Juventus manager Antonio Conte and Real Madrid Castilla coach Santiago Solari are among the shortlist being discussed by the board. Conte was considered as a replacement for Zinedine Zidane this summer but president Florentino Perez was concerned his abrasive style would clash with an ego-filled dressing room. (AS)

Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek has claimed that he's heard Barcelona want to sign him. Polish striker Piatek is the leading goalscorer across Europe's top five leagues with nine goals in seven Serie A matches, having only arrived in the summer from Cracovia. The 23-year-old said: "I have heard that Barcelona want to sign me, but I do not believe it. I have only been here for two months helping my team, but who knows what the situation will be next year." (Sport)

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ITALY

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici attended Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 win over Lyon with the Bianconeri interested in midfielder Adrien Rabiot. Although the 23-year-old didn't play at the Parc des Princes, Juve see him as the long-term replacement for countryman Blaise Mautuidi and hope to beat Barcelona to his signing having gained the trust of his mother and agent Veronique. Paratici was also keen to check on Lyon trio Ferland Mendy, Houssem Aouar and Tanguy Ndombele. (Tuttosport)

Adrien Rabiot captained PSG in their pre-season defeat to Arsenal on Saturday
Image: Juventus are reportedly interested in PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot

Inter Milan hope to take advantage of the problems at Real Madrid by launching a fresh approach for Luka Modric. The Croatian is said to be among a number of key dressing room figures unhappy with coach Julen Lopetegui, having been constantly rotated or substituted. If the situation continues, he could seek a transfer away from the Bernabeu. Inter pursued Modric throughout the summer but couldn't reach an agreement with Madrid. (Calciomercato)

GERMANY

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has defended the start made by coach Niko Kovac but the club have still drawn up a list of alternatives for the Croatian, including Zinedine Zidane, Arsene Wenger and Laurent Blanc. Zidane was a candidate to replace Jupp Heynckes this summer but the club opted for Kovac as they wanted a German speaker who knew the Bundesliga. However, following a run of four games without a win, the former Frankfurt boss appears on borrowed time. (Bild/Express.de)

BREMEN, GERMANY - APRIL 01:  Head coach Niko Kovac of Frankfurt looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt at Weserstadion on April 1, 2018 in Bremen, Germany.  (Photo by Oliver Hardt/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Image: Niko Kovac has struggled at Bayern Munich

Former Schalke and Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl is the favourite to be appointed new Stuttgart coach after Tayfun Korkut was dismissed on Sunday. Weinzierl has been without a job since being sacked by Schalke in June 2017 but his stock remains high following the excellent job he did at Augsburg. Ralph Hasenhuttl and Markus Gisdol are also being considered by Stuttgart. Despite holding European aspirations at the start of the season, Stuttgart lie bottom of the Bundesliga with just one win all season. (Kicker)

FRANCE

France coach Didier Deschamps continues to overlook Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte because of concerns over his concentration, suitability as a left-back and because other players have shown greater loyalty to the national team. Despite developing into a key player at City, Laporte is yet to be capped by Les Bleus as senior level with Deschamps naming Everton's Kurt Zouma and Mamadou Sakho of Crystal Palace ahead of him. (So Foot)

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