Man Utd find the 'next Luka Modric', Chelsea to sign star Premier League defender and more: Transfer round-up: February 22, 2018

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Jose Mourinho has one eye on Manchester United's future

Good evening and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Despite the season now entering, it's business end, top clubs are also keeping their eyes open on potential transfer targets.

And as always, there are stories which make headlines irrespective of the transfer window being open or shut. On that note, let's take a look at all the top transfer news that made headlines on February 22, 2018:


Rest of the world

Manchester United unearth the 'next Luka Modric'

Nikola Moro, the 19-year-old Croatian starlet has caught the attention of the Premier League giants, if the good folks at Talksport are to be believed. Moro currently plays for Dinamo Zagreb and has accumulated 36 appearances for them.

He is often dubbed as the 'Next Luka Modric' due to the similarities in both the players' playing style. Benfica are also keeping close tabs on the youngster.

Yannick Carrasco on his way to China

After falling out of favour with Diego Simeone, El Pais has claimed that the Belgian attacker is closing on a move to Chinese Super League's Dalian Yifang.

It is reported that Atletico will receive €30 million for Carrasco with 25% of that amount set to go to his former club, AS Monaco.

Serie A

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Darmian has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester United

Juventus want Matteo Darmian

Making just four Premier League appearances this season, Matteo Darmian has struggled to impress Jose Mourinho. Goal.com reports that Juventus are offering the 28-year-old a way out of his misery at Old Trafford and will look to snap him up during the summer.

The Italian side is looking at Darmian as a direct replacement for the ageing Stephen Lichsteiner.

Florenzi also on Juventus' radar

AS Roma's utility man Alessandro Florenzi has emerged as a summer target for the Bianconeri. Tuttosport has claimed that Juventus are looking at the 26-year-old who can play as a midfielder and also on the flanks.

Juventus are confident about getting the deal done if the Italian does not sign an extension with the capital side.

Bundesliga

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Pepe Reina's successor?

Napoli contact Bernd Leno

It is reported that Pepe Reina is set to leave Napoli at the end of the season which has made signing an able replacement Napoli's top summer priority.

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Leno is their No.1 choice for the man between the posts. He has a contract with Leverkusen until 2020, but an initial contact has already been made with the player's representatives.

Peter Stoger confident about Marco Reus' future

German forward Marco Reus has recently been linked with a move to AC Milan in the summer. But according to Goal.com, Dortmund manager Peter Stoger has called Reus "indispensable" for his side and hence ending all the talks about the player's exit.

Reus has struggled with injuries throughout his career and has made just three appearances this season.

Premier League

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On Chelsea's radar

Chelsea eyeing a move for Jamal Lascelles

Evening Standard understands that Chelsea are monitoring Newcastle United's Jamal Lascelles and are looking to make a move at the end of the season.

The Blues have monitored him for the past four years and a need for another Englishman in the first team squad has taken them to the 24-year-old.

But Lascelles is currently enjoying playing under Rafa Benitez and will only leave Newcastle if the Spaniard is not at the helm.

Paul Pogba offered to other clubs by his agent

Super agent Mino Raiola is reportedly offering his client, Paul Pogba to a number of high profile clubs in order to engineer a move away from Manchester United.

Sports Illustrated understands that the tension between Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba is real with the plot further thickening after the midfielder was dropped for the crucial European tie against Sevilla.

It is also specified that so far no top club is looking to take the Frenchman on board.

La Liga

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Looking for a move back to France

Karim Benzema wanted by four French sides

Le10 Sport via AS can report that Karim Benzema is a summer target for as many as four Ligue 1 sides.The likes of Lyon, Marseille, AS Monaco and PSG are all interested in signing the 30-year-old.

Benzema is also reportedly interested in a move back to his homeland as he feels that he is often wrongfully targeted at Real Madrid and he also wants to improve his chances of playing for the national side.

FC Barcelona far from reaching an agreement for Arthur Melo

Gremio president Romildo Bolzan has claimed that reports of Barcelona reaching an agreement to sign Arthur are far off the mark.

It was earlier reported that the Catalans have agreed a deal with Gremio for around €30 million for the 21-year-old midfielder with the player set to join next January.

But speaking to Radio Bandeirantes (as reported by Goal.Com), Bolzan has now revealed:

"A deal has still not been finalised. There have been plenty of discussions, but at this stage, the transfer cannot be considered a foregone conclusion."

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