Paper Round: Real Madrid enter £60m Nabil Fekir race

Real Madrid want Nabil Fekir, Liverpool turn to Xherdan Shaqiri, Arsenal monitor Ever Banega while Manchester City could be back in for Jerome Boateng.

Real Madrid enter Fekir race

Liverpool could miss out on Lyon’s Nabil Fekir. Liverpool had seemed set to sign the 24-year-old French playmaker but the French side called off the deal. Reports suggested it was because there was no dea to be had after Liverpool lowballed an offer following a medical, but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said it was because negotiations took too long, and Real Madrid is interested, saying: “The fact that things didn’t conclude with Liverpool and it didn’t happen in that time frame has peaked the interest of a lot of other clubs - Real Madrid, but not just Real Madrid and their new trainer.” 

Liverpool turn to Shaqiri 

Liverpool might then not be able to close the deal for Fekir, but they remain active in the transfer window and looking for attacking midfield. One option is Stoke’s Swiss player, Xherdan Shaqiri. Due to Stoke City’s relegation, the 26-year-old has a release clause fee of £12m, a much easier fee to meet than Lyon’s demands. 

Arsenal set for Banega deal 

 

After signing Bernd Leno and Stephan Lichtsteiner, Arsenal are aiming to pull off their third signing. Sevilla player Ever Banega has previously played for Arsenal’s new manager Unai Emery. A deal for Sampdoria midfielder Lucas Torreira has been agreed, but with the exit of both Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla, another midfielder is required to fill out the squad. 

City face battle for Boateng

Manchester City will face competition if they want to bring back Jerome Boateng back to The Etihad. Boateng played for City already, but now Bayern Munich are willing to listen to offers of between 50 and 60 million euros after he has decided to leave Germany. Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in the 29-year-old central defender.

Eurosport