Juventus will reportedly attempt to pry Isco away from Real Madrid following the imminent arrival of Mateo Kovacic, the talented 21-year-old midfielder from Inter Milan who is on the verge of completing a shock move to the Spanish capital.  

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t AS‘ David F. Sanchidrian), it’s unlikely Isco will actually join Juventus, but that won’t stop the Bianconeri from trying [sic]:

Mateo Kovacic’s imminent arrival at Real Madrid could have a secondary effect on Rafa Benitez’s squad – the departure of Isco. Or at least that is what Juventus are hoping will happen in such a scenario.

Kovacic is expected to sign to bolster a midfield which comprises Modric, Kroos and James – that would increase competition for a starting place for Isco, an idol with the fans but who has yet to lock down a regular place in the team.

That’s why Massimiliano Allegri is on full alert. Arturo Vidal’s exit to Bayern Munich is the perfect excuse for Juve to enter the transfer markets but no necessarily for an attacking midfielder. … This is the plot Juventus have hatched but to make things easier, they would also need affirmation from the player which seems highly improbable at this point.

Options include a normal deal that would likely cost the Italian champions up to €50 million, a one-year loan move or a deal involving Alvaro Morata, the former Real striker who moved to Turin last summer in a deal that involves a buyback clause, which can be activated in the summer of 2016, per the Independent‘s Adam Digby.

Isco enjoyed a strong campaign in 2014-15, aided by Luka Modric’s injury that saw the Spain international take over his spot in midfield. He made a total of 26 starts in La Liga, scoring four goals and adding nine assists, per WhoScored.com.

The 23-year-old is expected to battle James Rodriguez for a spot in the starting XI in 2015-16, and manager Rafa Benitez could choose to rotate the two. The addition of Kovacic complicates matters, although the Croatia international is a raw prospect unlikely to overtake Isco or Rodriguez in the pecking order anytime soon.

Kovacic is insanely talented, but his proposed transfer to Los Blancos is based around his potential, not his current performances. As explained by David Amoyal , a translator for Gianluca Di Marzio, the youngster was benched by two different managers last season, as he failed to impress for Inter:

To me prospects like Mateo Kovacic are like the briefcase from “Pulp Fiction”- he’s a blank canvas that allows us to project what we want on him, the uncertainty makes him more exciting. Now that Kovacic is on his way to Real Madrid for a reported €35 million plus bonuses you can look at it in two ways- he could either be the new Coutinho or Inter got a great return (more than double what they paid for him) for a player who never became a full time starter under two different coaches on a team that wasn’t very good.

Meanwhile, Isco has proven time after time that he’s one of the world’s most exciting young midfielders, a versatile player who can act as both a main creative outlet and a scoring winger. He has given no indication he wants to leave Los Blancos, and likewise, the club has done nothing to suggest he may be available.

Fans and pundits may be salivating at the idea he’s suddenly available following the imminent arrival of Kovacic, but Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe thinks it’s more likely the likes of Asier Illarramendi and Lucas Silva will move:

Isco’s agent Rafael Comino told TuttoJuve.com (h/t Amoyal) Juventus have yet to make contact with him or his client, and while the situation with Kovacic may change their approach, it’s hard to imagine any scenario in which Isco would decide to abandon Real for a foreign adventure.

Things could change should his playing time take a drastic turn for the worse in 2015-16, but as of right now, the Spaniard is unlikely to leave the Bernabeu.

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New Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez will reportedly look to the Serie A to finalise his squad before the end of the summer transfer window, with Juventus’ Fernando Llorente and Lazio’s Lucas Biglia high on his wish list.

That’s according to Marca‘s Enrique Ortego, who claims the duo are being eyed as potential depth options, with Lucas Silva likely to leave Los Blancos on loan:

Rafa Benitez is more than satisfied with the squad that he has at his disposal and the hard work that his players have put in during a hectic pre-season. The Spaniard would, however, not be averse to strengthening his pack in two specific positions: a holding midfielder and a striker who is happy to live in the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

With Lucas Silva heading for the exit door, the coach is considering his transfer options. The profile of the desired midfielder is clearly defined: a tough-tackling anchorman.

A man whose attributes match is another Lucas, namely Lucas Biglia. The Argentine is sought after at the moment, with Manchester United also keen on acquiring his services. …

Fernando Llorente’s name is in the frame given Juventus are likely to end up selling the striker before 31st August and he has a completely different style to anyone in the current Real Madrid squad. The Basque marksman’s specific skillset means he could be an excellent complement to what is already available.

Of the two, Spanish fans are probably more familiar with Llorente, who once terrorised La Liga defences with Athletic Bilbao before moving to Juventus on a free transfer in 2013. The 30-year-old found some success during his first season in Turin, but Alvaro Morata took over the starting position last season.

With Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza joining the Bianconeri this summer, Juventus no longer have a need for another in-the-box striker, and Llorente is expected to leave the club in the near future.

El Rey Leon would provide Benitez with a new kind of striker who uses his power and size well to shield the ball and win aerial battles. No player in Serie A has found more success in the air over the past two seasons, per OptaPaolo, but Llorente is more than just a big man who can score the occasional goal.

The Spain international is an underrated technician capable of finding success in limited space, a powerful weapon when chasing a goal late against a team bent on defending. He scored just seven goals in Serie A last season, via WhoScored.com, but put up consistent numbers in the years previous.

Llorente would never start over Karim Benzema, but as an experienced bench option capable of filling in whenever he’s needed, he has value. That said, Los Blancos have the option to bring back Morata next summer―via the Independent‘s Adam Digby―and perhaps such a move would make more sense.

Biglia is another potential target, adding some bite to Benitez’s midfield and allowing Silva to leave the club on loan in search of regular minutes. The Argentina international has been linked with Manchester United, per beIN Sports’ Tancredi Palmeri, after a productive spell with Lazio.

Mateo Kovacic is expected to move to the Spanish capital, with Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini confirming the deal is all but done, via football writer Pete O’Rourke, but the Croatian is a more attacking option, whereas Biglia is a typical ball-winner who plays his best football at the base of midfield.

The 29-year-old spent several years playing in Belgium and has flown under the radar as a result, but he’s become a valued member of the Argentinian national team in the past couple of seasons. He’s not a flashy player, but he does his job and works hard in tracking the ball. He’s also become more physical since moving to Italy, although he still relies primarily on his vision.

Like Llorente, Biglia would serve as a backup in case of injuries, but with Casemiro returning from loan, it’s hard to see why Benitez would have a need for another holding midfielder. The 23-year-old may not have Biglia’s experience, but he flashed enough potential during his loan spell with FC Porto to at least warrant an extensive look.

Biglia is a solid player, but Real have plenty of depth in the centre of the pitch. It makes no sense to spend big on the Argentinian and would only hinder the development of both Casemiro and Silva.

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Real Madrid have offered David de Gea a £12 million signing-on fee to spend this season on the Manchester United bench before returning to the Spanish capital next summer. If the brilliant young goalkeeper makes that choice, some believe it will be the result of Madrid’s protracted campaign of mind games.

But psychology aside, the contract being put in front of De Gea may speak the loudest. Mirror reporter John Cross notes the signing-on fee will be valuable to De Gea, but it’s the chance of an immediate fee that should interest United rather than losing the player for nothing next summer:

It could leave United as big losers because they would miss out on a huge fee for De Gea if they continue to play hardball over his move.

Madrid want to pay around £25m this summer but United are asking for a much bigger price in excess of £35m.

Trying to coax De Gea to go on strike isn’t the purest tactic ever employed in a transfer market. To Daily Mail writer Martin Samuel, it’s symptomatic of Los Blancos‘ behaviour during their pursuit of De Gea:

The true villains of the piece, however, are Real Madrid. If the Conservatives are known as the Nasty Party, then Real Madrid are the Nasty Club. They get what they want and don’t really care how they get it. They have messed with De Gea’s mind for the best part of a year now until he is as good as worthless to Manchester United.

Strong words from Samuel, who noted the comic farce of United’s No. 1 stopper sitting out the opening two games of the new Premier League season. Ultimately though, it’s up to the clubs to reach a compromise.

If De Gea has really had his head turned to the extent he can’t play, United have little choice but to part ways. Taking a stand sounds good in theory, but letting De Gea rot in the reserves then losing him for nothing will sting more than selling him now.

United have invested a lot in De Gea. The Old Trafford club stayed patient when the 24-year-old endured a rough first season in England’s top flight.

Although De Gea soon became arguably the best keeper in the game, United haven’t missed him this season. They’ve kept two clean sheets with Sergio Romero between the sticks. Yet tougher tests than striker-shy Tottenham Hotspur and rebuilding Aston Villa will follow.

But Madrid have greater motivation to make a deal happen. Selling Iker Casillas left a hole at an already suspect position.

De Gea‘s presence would revive a defence that was flagging last season.

Madrid Ready to Wrap up Mateo Kovacic Signing

While Los Merengues‘ chief Rafa Benitez waits on De Gea, he’s very close to wrapping up a deal for Mateo Kovacic. The Inter Milan playmaker is set to move to the Spanish capital in a deal worth up to €35 million, per Goal writer Fabrizio Romano.

This is a curious potential signing from Benitez. His current midfield already boasts stylish schemers like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

What the group lacks is the balance provided by a player specialising in more destructive tendencies. Kovacic won’t provide those, even though few are better in possession.

Mirror analyst Ed Malyon commented on the deal, suggesting Madrid are going to field a lightweight midfield this season:

Inter manager Roberto Mancini confirmed the sale is imminent. He also bemoaned the Financial Fair Play restraints that forced his hand, per an interview with Mediaset Premium (h/t Goal.com‘s Joe Wright).

Kovacic is a potential star of the future. But he’ll need game time to deliver on his promise. Whether he’ll get enough of that in Madrid will be a question that looms over this deal.

Questions about the morality of Madrid’s pursuit of marquee targets will certainly be asked if De Gea is coaxed into forcing his way out of Manchester.

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is set to reignite his pursuit of Inter Milan star Mateo Kovacic.

According to Gazetta dello Sport, via the Telegraph, “having already had some interest in bringing Kovacic to Anfield, bidding £17.7 million in an attempt to sign him, Brendan Rodgers is keen to go back in for the midfield man he wants,” but “will have to offer a staggering £21.3 million.”

The Reds have bought well this summer but are yet to adequately replace Steven Gerrard in midfield after the talismanic star left for LA Galaxy.

The underrated James Milner is an excellent addition in central midfield, but he’s not the man to fill Gerrard’s considerable boots.

While Kovacic may not yet be able to either, he certainly has the potential to.

The 21-year-old has been one of the few highlights for Inter in recent years and enjoyed an excellent season last year, netting eight times and contributing five assists in all competitions.

WhoScored.com share some of his other key statistics:

Serie A expert James Horncastle believes Kovacic to be an excellent prospect, while beIN Sports’ Matteo Bonetti believes he is underused at Inter:

The central midfielder used his excellent distribution and vision to create 62 chances for his team-mates last season according to Squawka.

Squawka also demonstrate how Kovacic made dangerous forward runs thanks to his phenomenal dribbling skills, as he completed 90 take-ons—the fourth highest total in Serie A and with a better success rate than those above him.

At such a young age the Croatian is already close to being the full package in midfield and has the potential to enjoy a similarly distinguished career as Gerrard’s.

However, like the 35-year-old, Kovacic appears to want to spend the bulk of his career with one club, per James Horncastle:

With that being the case, it seems unlikely the Reds will be able to land the young star this summer, even if they’re willing to splash the cash and can negotiate a price with Inter.

Liverpool Target Denis Cheryshev

According to Metro‘s Louis Sealey, who cites “reports in Spain,” “Liverpool are in talks with Real Madrid to complete the transfer of Denis Cheryshev after Brendan Rodgers demanded his club to sign the winger.”

On loan at Villarreal, the Russian scored seven goals and registered 10 assists in all competitions last season.

Here are some of the 24-year-old’s highlights from a successful spell at El Madrigal:

WhoScored.com provide a rundown of the winger’s impressive array of strengths:

Liverpool would benefit from the presence of another wideman after selling Raheem Sterling to Manchester City.

Cheryshev is unlikely to have many chances to shine at the Bernabeu next season as he competes with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Therefore, Liverpool represent an excellent opportunity for him to jump-start his senior career by establishing a starting berth, and Anfield would likely be a tempting option.

Having missed out on Barcelona youngster Adama Traore, the Reds should go all out to secure the Russian’s services.

If they do, they will have filled the gap left by Sterling with a hard-working player of genuine quality.

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Mateo Kovacic is close to joining Real Madrid from Inter Milan. The 10-time European Cup winners have reportedly agreed to terms for a full transfer.

Continue for updates.

Madrid Reportedly Agree to €32 Million Deal for Kovacic

Madrid will pay an initial €32 million to Serie A side Inter for central pass-master Kovacic, according to Guardian writers Marcus Christenson and Fabrizio Romano.

The report suggests the deal will be sealed in a matter of days: “The 21-year-old’s agent, Mario Mamic, has agreed a package with the Spanish club and the transfer is set to go through after the player signs his contract on Monday and has his medical this week.”

Christenson registered surprise at the price Los Blancos are paying for the 21-year-old:

Meanwhile, freelance football writer Aleksandar Holiga was even more blunt in his assessment of the match between player and club:

Admittedly, it is a little difficult to work out exactly where the creative Kovacic will fit in a midfield that already features similarly technically gifted playmakers. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos currently pull the strings for the La Liga outfit.

But manager Rafa Benitez is obviously keen. Christenson and Romano report the former Napoli gaffer has outbid old club Liverpool for the mercurial Croatian. 

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Joke about Samuel Eto’o‘s age as much as you’d like, but the former Barcelona and Inter Milan superstar still has some swag in his game even at his listed age of 34. 

Eto’o debuted for Turkish side Antalyaspor on Saturday and made an immediate impression on his new club with two goals. 

They were both quite good too! 

[Twitter, Samuel Eto’o, h/t Eurosport]

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Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the signing of Real Madrid’s Asier Illarramendi, who has struggled to cement a first-team place at the Bernabeu since joining the club in 2013.

According to Metro (via the Telegraph), the Reds are set to land the holding midfielder for £15 million, which seems something of a bargain in today’s market.

Although the 25-year-old hasn’t quite held his own with Real’s Galacticos, he has previously proved on countless occasions that he has what it takes to mix it with the best in the business.

The report states that Illarramendi had a pass-completion rate of 95.3 per cent in last season’s Champions League—and that could prove very useful to the Reds.

Liverpool have needed a strong anchor in midfield for many a season now. Even when Steven Gerrard dropped back into a holding role, there was something missing.

Illarramendi, though, could slot in and give the likes of skipper Jordan Henderson and James Milner more license to roam.

The English duo played well together holding the fort against Stoke City, but their respective class in the advanced positions means they’re a little wasted sitting back.

Emre Can plays the deeper role well, but you get the sense than manager Brendan Rodgers is trying to slowly turn the German into a solid centre-back.

Illarramendi could well bridge the midfield gap, then, although his arrival at Anfield will likely only happen if Lucas Leiva moves on to pastures new.

Lucas Moving On, Balotelli Staying Put

Brazilian star Lucas looks like he’s heading for the Anfield exit door, with Serie A giants Inter Milan and Juventus both reportedly making approaches for the midfielder—per David Maddock of the Daily Mirror.

The 28-year-old has found chances few and far between for the Reds of late, and his desire to play regular football has played into the hands of Inter and Juve.

While many Liverpool fans won’t exactly be too disheartened to see Lucas leave—particularly if Illarramendi arrives—the Reds could live to regret their decision.

That’s the opinion of club legend Jan Molby, who wrote in his Liverpool Echo column that the unselfish nature of Lucas would be missed:

“I really hope he stays because I still think he will have a part to play this season. It’s important you have a No. 6 who is a proper No. 6 and very much a team player—someone whose ambition is for the team rather than himself.”

Meanwhile, rumours of the reason behind misfiring striker Mario Balotelli staying at Anfield have been circulating.

According to the Guardian (h/t Eurosport), the Italian forward is set to receive a hefty loyalty bonus if he remains in red past the transfer window’s closure—believed to be in six figures.

Balotelli is currently nowhere near the first team with the likes of Christian Benteke and Danny Ings at Anfield, with cup appearances looking like the only way he’s going to don the red shirt in 2015/16.

Still, these are exciting times for Liverpool fans. Should they land a player of Illarramendi’s calibre, they’ll edge closer to having a squad worthy of a top-four place once again.

The ghost of Luis Suarez has been lingering over Anfield for some time, but Rodgers and Co. are undoubtedly edging closer to finally getting it right.

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The Premier League is up and running and the second weekend of action sees two sides looking to secure their first points of the season, with Tottenham Hotspur set to host Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.

Spurs narrowly lost 1-0 to Manchester United in the opening game of the campaign, with right-back Kyle Walker scoring an unfortunate own goal to see his side take defeat.

Stoke City lost at home, also by a 1-0 scoreline, after they conceded a late Philippe Coutinho goal against Liverpool. Since that game they have boosted their squad with the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri from Inter Milan.

The match kicks off at 3 p.m. BST (10 a.m. ET) at White Hart Lane, and our coverage begins around half an hour beforehand.

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Liverpool could be set to miss out on another winger, as target Dries Mertens has been revealed to be the subject of interest from Inter Milan.

According to Football Italia, via David Wright of the Express, Merten’s agent Soren Lerby told FCInterNews: “Inter? I can say that we’re not just talking about rumours and unfounded suggestions. The Nerazzurri represent a real possibility.”

The Reds have already missed out on one possible replacement for Raheem Sterling after Aston Villa confirmed the signing of Barcelona youngster Adama Traore, per BBC Sport, and it seems if they don’t act quickly, they could lose out again.

Mertens scored 10 goals in all competitions last season and created a further 12.

Serie A expert Paolo Bandini reveals some of the Belgian’s qualities, while WhoScored.com’s Cristiano Acconci is impressed with the 28-year-old’s myriad strengths:

Indeed, as WhoScored.com illustrates, Mertens is constantly involved as a creative force for Napoli:

The winger has all the attributes needed to thrive in the Premier League, and alongside the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, he could help form an outstanding attacking midfield trio.

Liverpool have bought well so far this summer, and if they can wrestle Mertens from Inter’s grasp, they will have added a player of real quality and incisiveness to their side.

Liverpool Close in on Lazio‘s Keita Balde Diao

According to Tom Olver of Metro, “Liverpool are lining up the transfer of Keita Balde Diao, as he is set for showdown talks with Lazio next week.”

Largely used as a substitute, the 20-year-old winger scored four goals and laid on four assists in 1,184 minutes of play in all competitions last season.

As Squawka report, Keita is an exceptional dribbler, successfully taking on opponents 76 per cent of the time in Serie A last year.

Here are some of the youngster’s highlights:

Though not yet as effective as Mertens, Keita would be a positive long-term acquisition and provide valuable competition for Jordon Ibe. 

If the Reds can’t land a more experienced campaigner, Keita‘s technical prowess and outstanding potential would make him a strong signing if acquired at the right price.

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