Euro Paper Talk: Barcelona target Man City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan | Football News

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured Europe’s news outlets to bring you all the latest transfer news and headlines from the continent.

France

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan has emerged as a potential transfer target for Barcelona. With Andres Iniesta gone, officials from the Catalan club are weighing up a number of replacements and Gundogan is one of them. The central midfielder is still in Pep Guardiola’s plans at the Etihad Stadium and played 48 times in all competitions last season, scoring six times. (Le 10 Sport)

Former Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle United (loan), Chelsea and Crystal Palace (loan) forward Loic Remy looks set for a return to France with Lille. The 31-year-old signed for Spanish La Liga side Las Palmas last summer and also went out on loan to Getafe, scoring a total of nine goals for both clubs in all competitions. Remy still has another year on his current deal but now looks set for a return to Ligue 1 and travelled to Lille on Wednesday evening hoping to complete a move. (L’Equipe)

Rennes defender Ramy Bensebaini is a strong Everton transfer target and is in talks over a move to Goodison Park. The 23-year-old Algeria international has another two years on his current contract in France but Everton are hoping to seal a €15m move. Rennes may look at Lyon’s Fernando Marçal, who has three years left on his contract, as a replacement. (L’Equipe)

Spain

Real Sociedad’s Álvaro Odriozola is on the verge of completing a transfer to Real Madrid, as representatives finalise the small print on his transfer to the Bernabeu. With the defender back in San Sebastian after Spain’s World Cup exit, the pace of negotiations has gone up a gear ahead of a €40million move to the Spanish capital. (AS)

A meeting between Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is expected imminently with it looking unlikely the Portuguese will stay at the Bernabeu. It could take place on Thursday and will likely be decisive with regards to the Portugal superstar’s future. Italian giants Juventus are interested in the 33-year-old and are tabling an offer of up to £90m. (Marca)

Portugal international William Carvalho is close to becoming Real Betis’ fourth signing of a productive summer. The La Liga side are prepared to pay up to €20m for the midfielder, who was believed to be an Everton transfer target, after he had his contract rescinded with Sporting Lisbon earlier this week. Betis will pay €15m paid up front and the rest will become add-ons. (Sport)

Italy

Lazio have snapped up 35-year-old goalkeeper Silvio Proto from Olympiakos. Proto, who was born in Belgium but holds Italian citizenship, has agreed a three-contract in Rome. The shot-stopper made his name at Anderlecht over 11 years between 2005 and 2016, playing more than 250 games. Proto then spent one season with KV Oostende before another campaign in Greece and now gets a chance in Serie A. (Corriere dello Sport)

“There’s been no contact between with other clubs.” Those are the words of Gonzalo Higuain’s brother, who acts as his agent. The striker has been the subject of Chelsea transfer rumours in recent weeks. “At the moment we have not talked to any club,” he added. “Gonzalo has two years of his contract and wants to respect that, and also he is very well in Turin and in tune with the club and the coach Allegri.” Instead, the striker is keen on a potential link-up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, with the Italians keen on landing the Portugal ace. Higuain’s brother added: “Ronaldo at Juventus?” Gonzalo would be happy, and it would be fantastic to see them together again after what happened at Real Madrid.” (Corriere dello Sport)

Germany

Werder Bremen have signed 19-year-old left-back Jan-Niklas Beste from Borussia Dortmund. Bremen’s director of football Frank Baumann has announced the news, saying: “Jan-Niklas is a player who can play all positions on the left side and is currently recovering from a knee injury. After rehabilitation, he will occasionally train with the first team but probably more with the U23 side.” (Kicker)