Sunday 18 March 2018 19:19, UK
There are a still a couple of months left of this season but Europe's biggest clubs are already plotting their summer moves with a World Cup to negotiate around.
Our friends at Football Whispers have scoured the European media to round-up the latest transfer news and big stories.
Spain
Liverpool are reluctant to sell Mohamed Salah this summer, despite the Egyptian being a likely target of Real Madrid. But, the Reds' hard-line stance could be weakened if Lucas Vazquez is involved in any deal. Salah's arrival would push the Spaniard further down the pecking order, and Los Blancos would want to move him on. (Sport)
With any move for Neymar proving difficult with Paris Saint-Germain reluctant to sell, Real Madrid will focus on finding a long-term replacement for Luka Modric this summer. (Marca)
With only five members of his first-team squad - Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez, Theo Hernandez, Marcos Llorente and Kiko Casilla - not being called up for international duty, Zinedine Zidane is worried about how it will affect his Real Madrid side given it's just a few weeks ahead of their Champions League quarter-final with Juventus. He's most worried that Modric could pick up an injury, because of his recent calf and hamstring problems. (Marca)
Valencia head coach Marcelino insists the permanent signing of Geoffrey Kondogbia from Inter is complete. The French midfielder has had an impressive loan spell at the Mestalla this season, and speaking after Los Che's 3-1 win over Alaves yesterday, Marcelino said the full-time acquisition of the 25-year-old is a no-brainer. "The signing of Kondogbia is a done deal," he told reporters. "It's like if you have a Fiat 600 or a Lamborghini. What do you want? Obviously the Lamborghini." (Superdeporte)
Italy
Despite Alex Sandro being subject of Chelsea and Manchester United rumours, Paris Saint-Germain are leading the chase for the Juventus left-back. The 27-year-old's positive relationship with the French club's sporting director Antero Henrique could prove key, as the two worked together during their time in Portugal. (Tuttosport)
Inter could target Hull City forward Abel Hernandez in the summer. They had been linked with Shakhtar Donetsk's Facundo Ferreyra, but he isn't thought to be in head coach Luciano Spalletti's plans. (Tuttomercatoweb)
Inter have opened talks with Roma over the potential signing of Kevin Strootman. Negotiations are already underway between the two clubs over a possible deal, but the San Siro club are reluctant to pay the Dutch midfielder's €45million release clause. A deal isn't thought to be close, but he is on the radar of Inter and they will push harder for his signature when the season is over. (Tuttomercatoweb)
Nikola Kalinic could leave AC Milan in the summer after falling out with manager Gennaro Gattuso. The forward has been dropped for today's game against Chievo after his head coach accused him of having a poor attitude in training. (Corriere della Sera)
France
Paris Saint-Germain have turned down a request from Neymar to increase his salary in order to stay at the French club next season. The Brazilian wants £1m per week, but president Nasser al-Khelaifi rejected his demands. (L'Equipe)
Nice striker Mario Balotelli has criticised PSG ahead of his side's clash with the Ligue 1 leaders today. "PSG are a Ligue 1 team, they are on the same level as Guingamp," the Italian striker said. "I only watched them once this season and it was against Real Madrid. They really did deserve to lose. It's shameful to see them go out of the Champions League that early. The problem is that money buys you players, but it doesn't buy you a team." (Telefoot)
