European Paper Talk: Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic is a Chelsea transfer target

Spain

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has emerged as a Chelsea transfer target, with Maurizio Sarri’s side planning a summer swoop for the former Sevilla and Schalke man.

The arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax could see the Croatian fall down the midfield pecking order at the Nou Camp and the Blues view the 30-year-old as the ideal replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who joined Monaco in January. (Sport)

Rakitic does not want to leave Barcelona, though, despite De Jong’s arrival, and is hopeful of agreeing a new contract with the reigning La Liga champions. (Mundo Deportivo)

Real Madrid will begin an overhaul of their squad this summer by making way for new signings with several high-profile departures. The list of players the European champions are ready to move on includes Marcelo, Isco, Keylor Navas, Lucas Vazquez, Dani Ceballos and Jesus Vallejo. (El Chiringuito)

Inter Milan insist they have received no offers for Arsenal transfer target Ivan Perisic this month. Rumours have suggested the Gunners are willing of offer a £4m loan fee to take the 29-year-old for the rest of the season, with a £26m purchase option for the summer. The player has decided he wants to leave the Nerazzurri. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Juventus are laying out plans to ensure their continued dominance of Serie A. Key transfer targets from within the league have been identified, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Lazio, Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo and Fiorentina’s Enrico Chiesa all being considered. (Corriere dello Sport)

Injury has ruled Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci out for the next four weeks, and the Serie A champions could move for veteran Portuguese defender Bruno Alves before Thursday’s deadline to bolster their options at the back. (Tuttosport)

France

The foot injury Neymar sustained last week is set to rule him out until late March, meaning the Brazilian superstar will miss both legs of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League last-16 showdown with Manchester United. (L’Equipe)

Portugal

Reading’s Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori is in Lisbon for a medical ahead of a return to Sporting. The 25-year-old, who came through Sporting’s academy, left the club to join Liverpool in 2013 and has been at Reading for two years. (O Jogo)