Liverpool and Real Madrid are warming up for the Champions League final by competing for the signature of a Monaco star.
But Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the midfielder as the shockwaves from Kylian Mbappe’s decision to snub the Spaniards and stay in Paris reverberate around Europe, leaving Real furious - but with plenty of money to spend. And there is the latest on Robert Lewandowski’s transfer standoff with Bayern Munich, with arguably the finest forward in world football potentially on the move this summer.
Here is a round-up of the best transfer stories in the European press today...
Final rivals in pre-Paris match
Monaco midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni has verbally agreed to join Liverpool and Real Madrid and now both clubs must negotiate the transfer with the Monte Carlo-based side.
But Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the 22-year-old who scored three goals in 35 appearances in Ligue 1 this season. Monaco are keen to start an auction for a player they are at €100m (£84.8m).
Real Madrid learn transfer budget
Mbappe’s decision to snub the Spanish giants for a fourth time leaves Real with money to spend this summer - around €200m (£169.6m). Marca claims the LaLiga champions will not pursue deals for Harry Kane or Robert Lewandowski because their playing styles are too close to Karim Benzema.
Instead the Champions League finalists will look at Milan’s Rafael Leao or Benfica’s Uruguayan star Darwin Nunez.
Tension increases between Lewandowski and Bayern
Lewandowski has refused to extend his contract which expires in June 2023 and reportedly wants to move to Barcelona. But Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic repeated on Sunday that Lewandowski would not be allowed to leave this summer and accused his agent Pini Zahavi of “turning his head".
But Zahavi responded to Bild: “For Robert, Bayern is ancient history. In fact, I did not want to speak in public because I have great respect for this historic club. However, I do not I can't help but react to Hasan Salihamidzic's statements. Robert has the chance to join the club he's always dreamed of. Why is Bayern denying him this opportunity?"
The Catalan press claim Bayern have turned down a bid of €32m (£27.1m) for Lewandowski.
Have Your Say! Who is your dream summer signing? Join the debate here.
Change of policy at PSG
Last year the Paris club spent big money on free signings on big-name players like Lionel Messi, Gigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos - and still could not win the Champions League. Sporting director Leonardo has been sacked after Mbappe agreed a new three-year deal last weekend. And Portugal’s Luis Campos, who first signed Mbappe at Monaco and later extracted £72m from Arsenal for Nicolas Pepe when he was at Lille, is set to take the job.
He will look for younger players with more value with Ousmane Dembele, who is out of contract at Barcelona and a friend of Mbappe, a target along with Tchouaméni. Campos will also appoint a new head coach to succeed Mauricio Pochettino. If Zinedine Zidane turns the post down to wait for the France job, Joachim Lowe, Christophe Gaultier or Roberto Martinez are alternatives.
Juventus seeking new boys
Former Manchester United star Angel Di Maria made a tearful farewell to PSG at the weekend and is now set to join Juventus on a free transfer. The Turin club are also willing to fight off Premier League interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic.
