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European Paper Talk: Arsenal to target Karim Benzema if Alexis Sanchez leaves

Karim Benzema milks the supporters' applause after scoring Real Madrid's second goal

With just five days of the European transfer window remaining, it's approaching panic stations as clubs assemble the final pieces of their jigsaws.

Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the continental media for the latest news and transfer rumours.

Spain

Arsenal are making plans for the loss of Manchester City target Alexis Sanchez. If the Chile international does leave the Emirates, the Gunners would make a move for 29-year-old Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to replace him. (Diario Gol)

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has been heavily linked with Barcelona but, despite the Reds' insistence they will not sell their prized asset, the Catalans are prepared to keep trying in order to try to force through a move. (Mundo Deportivo)

Barca's attempts to bolster their attacking options have, however, been dealt a blow with Paris Saint-Germain rejecting their €35m (£32.4m) offer for Argentine winger Angel Di Maria. (AS)

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria reacts during the French Cup semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco at the Parc d

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain has confirmed the Premier League club will not pursue a world-record €300m (£277m) deal for Lionel Messi. "Messi is impossible," he admitted. "He will stay at Barcelona in complete safety." (Marca)

Chelsea's forgotten man Loic Remy has emerged as a target for La Liga surprise package Las Palmas. The 30-year-old France international could cancel his contract at Stamford Bridge to move to Spain. (La Provincia)

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France

Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery is playing it coy over speculation the club will tie up deals for Monaco duo Kylian Mbappe and Fabinho. Speaking after his side's 3-0 defeat of Saint-Etienne, he said: "I'm happy with the players we have. If something changes, it is to improve us. If we finish the deal with the players here with us, I'm happy." (L'Equipe)

Monaco's French forward Kylian Mbappe arrives for a training session at the Grand Stade in Tangiers on July 28, 2017 on the eve of the French Trophy of Cha

However, defender Marquinhos alluded to the potential deal for Mbappe, saying: "We are waiting for the formalization. We do not know yet. We look at things on the internet. We're still waiting. The PSG project is very ambitious. To be ambitious, you have to have big players, big stars. He's a player who made the difference with Monaco, if he comes here, he's going to bring us a lot." (L'Equipe)

Italy

Long-term Juventus target Patrik Schick appears to have finally reached a decision over his future and is expected to sign for the club after a lengthy pursuit which has seen him linked with Roma, Inter and Milan. (Corriere dello Sport)

Former Newcastle target Pepe Reina looks set to remain with Napoli. The Spaniard, who played under Magpies boss Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, fell out with owner Aurelio Di Laurentiis earlier in the summer but has been convinced to stay. (Corriere dello Sport)

Pepe Reina was the late hero for Napoli against Roma

Former Watford loanee Mbaye Niang is holding out for a move to Serie A champions Juventus. The forward, who has been signed off with stress by parent club Milan, could have joined Spartak Moscow for €23m (£21.2m) but was not keen to move to Russia. Instead he is waiting for an offer from the Bianconeri. (Calciomercato)

With Claudio Marchisio set for a spell on the sidelines, Juve are desperate to replace the midfielder. But one reported option which will not be going ahead is a move for Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, who would cost €45m (£41.6m). (Tuttomercato)

Germany

Liverpool secured more than Champions League qualification with victory over Hoffenheim, with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp making it clear to midfielder Kerem Demirbay that he would like to sign the 24-year-old Germany international. (Bild)

Schalke defender and captain Benedikt Howedes looks set to join Juventus after asking the Bundesliga club to terminate his contract. Sporting director Christian Heidel said: "Benedikt Howedes told me on Thursday evening that he can imagine leaving the club in the direction of Turin. He asked me for talks with Juventus. On Friday the club contacted us." (Bild)

Benedikt Howedes Schalke

Portugal

Borussia Dortmund will turn their attention to Sporting Lisbon wide man Gelson Martins as a replacement for Ousmane Dembele, who completed his €146.5m (£135.5m) move to Barcelona on Friday. (Record)

Two players set to leave Sporting are Marvin Zeegelaar and Ezequiel Schelotto. The pair will join La Liga side Alaves on loan for the season with €3m (£2.7m) clauses agreed at the end of the season. (Record)

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