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European paper round-up: Paris Saint-Germain will let Neymar leave next summer

Real Madrid begin Antonio Conte talks; Bayern Munich turned down Jadon Sancho

Neymar
Image: Neymar will reportedly be allowed to leave for €220m (£193m), the same price PSG paid to sign him from Barcelona

With the January window barely two months away, clubs are finalising strategies for the new year and targets for next summer.

With the January transfer window just over two months away, clubs are finalising strategies for the new year as well as considering targets for next summer.

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

Spain

Neymar has a verbal agreement with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to leave the club at the end of the season.

With Real Madrid and now Barcelona interested in signing the Brazil international, he has spoken to Al-Khelaifi about returning to Spain but any suitors will have to pay the French champions €220m (£193m) next summer and €200m (£175m) if the sale is in 2020. (Cadena Ser)

Montoya celebrates with Neymar during his time at Barcelona
Image: Neymar scored 105 goals in 186 games for Barcelona since leaving last year

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has consulted some of the club's senior players to see if they would be open for Neymar returning to the club. A deal to bring the 26-year-old back to the club is "not impossible" and Bartomeu has ensured any potential signing will not disrupt the dressing room harmony.

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The players he spoke to are said to have a "good feeling" about the prospect of playing alongside him again. (El Mundo Deportivo)

La Liga boss Javier Tebas will go to court in order to force through Barcelona's league game with Girona in Miami. Since announcing the plan, Tebas has been met with opposition from the Spanish FA, players' union and now Real Madrid who issued a strong-worded statement on Wednesday.

However, Tebas is preparing a legal argument to ensure the January 26 fixture goes ahead in Miami. (AS)

Real Betis remain interested in Manchester City wing-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and could make a return approach for the Ukrainian in January. Betis tried to sign the 21-year-old in the summer on a season-long loan but City were only interested in a permanent switch and the deal could not be completed.

With Zinchenko keen for more first-team football, Betis are confident they can bring him to Spain. (AS)

Italy

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez contacted Antonio Conte this week and the Spanish giants have already opened negotiations with the former Chelsea and Juventus coach to replace Julen Lopetegui.

Antonio Conte
Image: Antonio Conte has been out of work since being fired by Chelsea in July

The Italian remains in a legal battle with the Blues over unfair dismissal which may delay the chances of Madrid appointing him, but Perez has identified Conte as his first choice should results continue to decline under Lopetegui. (Corriere dello Sport)

Toulouse midfielder Ibrahim Sangare is a target for AC Milan. Milan sporting director Leonardo is a big admirer of the powerful 21-year-old, who has been compared to countryman Yaya Toure in playing style and is valued at €20m (£18m).

Midfield is an area identified by the Rossoneri in need of extra recruitment, with the Serie A side considering a move in January. (Corriere dello Sport)

Roma are trying to fast-track a move for Porto midfielder Hector Herrera, who Real Madrid, Tottenham and Arsenal also want to sign. Herrera is out of contract at the end of the season and has no intention of renewing his deal in Portugal with a host of suitors across Europe.

However, Roma sporting director Monchi has been given the green light to sign the 28-year-old permanently in January to keep him away from La Liga and the Premier League. (Corriere dello Sport)

Germany

Bayern Munich turned down the chance to sign Jadon Sancho last year after being left unimpressed by the England international.

Jadon Sancho
Image: Jadon Sancho is the top assist-maker in Europe's top-five leagues

Sancho has been a sensation for Dortmund this season after arriving at the Westfalenstadion from Manchester City in 2017. Bayern also scouted the 18-year-old and consulted City manager Pep Guardiola but didn't think he was worth the €7.8m (£6.8m) Dortmund ended up paying for him. (Bild)

Vfb Stuttgart wanted to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jacob Bruun Larsen in the summer but their Bundesliga rivals were not willing to sell.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Stuttgart and the club were prepared to spend a club record €12m (£10.5m) on the Dane but Dortmund, "weren't willing to talk". Larsen has scored three goals in four games for BVB this season. (Bild)

France

Thierry Henry has been unable to bring in Rennes youth coach Julien Stephan as his assistant coach at Monaco. Rennes president Olivier Letang demanded €1m (£880,000) from Monaco to release Stephan from his contract which the principality club were not prepared to pay.

Julien is the son of Guy Stephan, who is Didier Deschamps assistant with the French national team. (Ouest France)

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