European Paper Talk: Everton linked with Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer

The winter transfer window does not open until January 1, but clubs across Europe are busy making their plans for potential signings.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European newspapers and websites to bring you the latest transfer gossip and news from the continent.

Spain

Barcelona flop Paco Alcacer has emerged as a surprise target for Everton. The 24-year-old striker has struggled to justify his €30m (£26.3m) price tag since moving from Valencia last summer and has been afforded just nine starts in La Liga since. But the Toffees need a forward and the Spain international has been subject of several enquiries. (Don Balon)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar would be more likely to win the Ballon d’Or at the Bernabeu. The Brazilian, who is reportedly on the radar of the European champions, moved to Paris in a world-record move in the summer, with suggestions winning the coveted prize was one of the motivating factors. But rumours of a switch to Los Blancos next summer has emerged since.
„Being in Madrid would make it easier to win the Ballon d’Or,“ Perez said when asked of Neymar. „Real Madrid is a club which gives all you need as a big player, everyone knows that I already wanted to sign him at one point.“ (Marca)

Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi has moved to rubbish reports he has already undergone a medical at Real Madrid. The Argentina forward insists nothing has taken place and he remains committed to the Nerazzurri. „A medical at Real Madrid? That’s nonsense,“ he scoffed. „Now is not the time to talk about these things and I am not the one who deals with it either.“ (AS)

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano will find out this week whether he will be granted a move away from the Camp Nou in January or not. The Argentine has fallen down the pecking order under Ernesto Valverde and will move on in the summer regardless. But the former Liverpool player would like to be allowed to seek a move next month ahead of the World Cup in Russia. (Marca)
Italy

AC Milan have reportedly lost patience with big-money summer signings Andre Silva and Hakan Calhanoglu and will move the duo out on loan when the January transfer window opens. Portuguese striker Silva cost €38m (£33.4m) from Porto but has failed to score in eight Serie A outings while Calhanoglu, who cost €20m (£15.5m) from Bayer Leverkusen, has also been deemed an expensive flop. (Corriere dello Sport)

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been left out of the squad which will face Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia on Saturday. The 39-year-old has not trained since Tuesday and will not be risked against the Serie A leaders, meaning Wojciech Szczesny will start. (Corriere dello Sport)

Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu is a target for AC Milan just six months after re-joining the Catalans from Everton for €12m (£10.5m). Barca had until this summer to re-sign the Spaniard under the terms of the initial deal which saw him move to Goodison Park. But he has featured sparingly since moving back and could now return to Milan where he shone on loan last season. (Calciomercato)
Another player who could be leaving Milan is centre-back Gustavo Gomez. The 24-year-old Paraguayan is yet to play a minute in Serie A this season and is wanted by Boca Juniors. President Daniel Angelici said: „We talked to his agent, who is now in Europe, and on Tuesday to Wednesday we will have an official response from Milan.“ (Tuttomercato)

Germany

Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann has hinted striker Sandro Wagner will join Bayern Munich in the January transfer window. Bayern need a striker to offer an alternative to Robert Lewandowski and the 30-year-old has emerged as a target. „I think this will happen over the next week or two if everything goes well,“ Nagelsmann said. (Bild)
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has declared his admiration for Bayern Munich… on the video-game FIFA 18! The England international was asked what he thought about the Bundesliga and replied: „I talked a bit about the Bundesliga with Leroy Sane and Kevin Wimmer, and saw German clubs in the Champions League. At FIFA on the console, I also play with Bayern. The Bundesliga will always remain a competitor, even if it is currently not doing so well internationally.“ (SportBild)

France

Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he faced competition from Arsenal to sign Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003. United completed a deal for the now five-time Ballon d’Or winner after he impressed during a friendly with Sporting Lisbon, but Ferguson revealed the Gunners were keen too.

„I spoke with Ronaldo and Jorge Mendes and he said we had to hurry because Arsenal and Real Madrid wanted to sign him,“ he said. „I told Ronaldo to join us. He explained he’d have to talk with his mother about it.“ (France Football)

Former Manchester United and Juventus defender Patrice Evra, who is banned from football until next summer after kicking a Marseille fan, could resume his career in the Turkish Super Lig. The 36-year-old was sacked by the Ligue 1 club last month but is keen to play on and could do so in Turkey. (L’Equipe)

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