Tuesday 3 October 2017 09:58, UK
The European transfer window may only have been closed for a month, but clubs will already have an idea where they still need to strengthen. Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the media across Europe for the latest news and transfer rumours.
AC Milan are hoping to appoint Antonio Conte as their new manager in June. The Chelsea boss recently admitted to the Italian media that he would return to his home country at some point in the future, but the Rossoneri want him to replace Vincenzo Montella at the end of the season. Montella is coming under increasing pressure after a dip in form and is widely expected to be removed from his post if Milan fail to qualify for next season's Champions League. (Corriere dello Sport)
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is set to sign a new contract at the club. The 33-year-old Chelsea transfer target has been the subject of speculation with many tipping him to reunite with Conte at Stamford Bridge. Chiellini's current deal runs out at the end of the season and Chelsea had been eyeing a potential free transfer, but the veteran centre-half will put pen to paper on an extension of one or two years. (Calciomercato)
Carlo Ancelotti says he will take a 10-month break from football before considering a return to management. The Italian tactician was sacked by Bayern Munich last week following a humbling 3-0 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and had been tipped to return to AC Milan, where he won that competition twice in 2003 and 2007. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Several senior Bayern Munich players took part in secret training sessions behind Ancelotti's back. After the intense style of training under Pep Guardiola, many players felt as though the Italian's approach was too laid back, with Arjen Robben offering a withering assessment this week in saying his son could organise a better training session. Bayern's dissenting players went to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in order to complain about the training but, even when the coach was informed, he did not change his approach. (Kicker)
Meanwhile, Mats Hummels, a one-time Liverpool transfer target, has hit back at reports naming him as one of the players who took issue with Ancelotti's methods, saying that he had never voiced any concern or unhappiness. Hummels had been labelled a 'king slayer' in some reports. (Sport Bild)
Gerard Pique was targeted by Spain fans on Monday at a Spain training session after the centre-back voted in the Catalonia independence referendum. Spain supporters whistled and jeered in the Barcelona defender's direction, while police confiscated banners which described Pique as 'sickening.' The 30-year-old defender said he would leave the Spain team if asked by the Spanish FA. (Marca)
Alvaro Morata, Chelsea's marquee summer signing, faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after it was revealed he suffered a grade two hamstring tear against Manchester City. Morata was subbed off after 35 minutes during the game and Spain's football federation later confirmed the results of his MRI scan. Morata, who has made an excellent start to his career in the Premier League, is likely to be out until mid-November. (Marca)
Neymar's father has said that his son's decision to join Paris Saint-Germain for £200m in the summer took him by surprise. The Brazilian has got his career in France off to a flyer, with eight goals and seven assists in his first eight matches for the club, and the player's father revealed that the idea of winning of the Champions League with the Ligue 1 giants was a factor in his decision to quit Barcelona. Neymar Sr also added that the recent penalty controversy with Edinson Cavani had been exaggerated. (Telefoot)
Samir Nasri has revealed that he could return to Marseille, but only as a coach. The French playmaker was linked with a move back to his hometown club in the summer but subsequently signed for Turkish side Antalyaspor, but has made clear his intentions to go into coaching once he hangs up his boots. (Canal+)
