Euro 2020 Transfer Talk: Tournament stars on the move

Italy claimed European Championship glory last night by beating England on penalties at Wembley. 

The Azzurri triumphed 3-2 from the spot after the match finished 1-1 as extra-time failed to separate the sides. 

Attention will now quickly turn to domestic matters, with the new season a little over a month away for most major European leagues.

So with Euro 2020 done and dusted, we have rounded up the latest updates on the biggest transfer stories involving the stars of the tournament. 

Kane interest

The future of England captain Harry Kane has dominated back pages throughout Euro 2020 — and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Kane, 27, has told Tottenham he wants to leave and Manchester United and Manchester City are thought to be his primary suitors.

According to the latest reports, United are not prepared to consider a swap deal for the Three Lions star.

Earlier in the summer, City had offered as many as five players to Spurs as makeweights in a potential transfer.

It is claimed those players were Gabriel Jesus, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling, Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly accepted he will be unable to demand £150million for Kane.

But the North Londoners would consider offers in the region of £100m for their No10.

Even with tough negotiator Levy dropping his demands significantly, Kane's price tag will be too high for the majority of Europe’s top clubs.

Sterling sale?

Another of England’s main men who could be on the move post-tournament is the aforementioned Sterling.

The 26-year-old attacker has been linked with Real Madrid and his agent Aidy Ward is believed to have maintained an open dialogue with the Spanish giants about the possibility of a deal.

According to reports, England’s three-goal Euro 2020 hero is open to the possibility of leaving the Etihad this summer after falling down the pecking order in the second half of last season.

But it is also claimed Pep Guardiola wants Sterling to stay and that City will offer him a new deal this summer.

Given his importance to the club under Guardiola over the last four seasons, that now seems like the most likely outcome.

Mbappe exit

Kylian Mbappe made an early exit from Euro 2020 with France and could be about to do the same from Paris Saint-Germain.

The forward, 22, is out of contract at the Parc des Princes next summer, meaning PSG must cash in this year if they are to avoid losing their star man for nothing.

Liverpool are one of the clubs heavily linked with Mbappe who, according to reports in Spain, has told PSG of his intention to leave.

But the French media claim Mbappe is prepared to see out the final year of his deal with the Parisian outfit before departing on a free next summer.

Real Madrid are the other side in for Mbappe and the LaLiga giants are attempting to recruit former Lille and Monaco sporting director Luis Campos in a bid to tempt the young star to Spain.

Campos worked closely with Mbappe at Monaco and it is claimed his arrival would help Real's pursuit.

But PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is adamant Mbappe will not leave.

He said: "I am going to be clear... Kylian will stay in Paris, we are never going to sell him and he will never leave on a free transfer."

Locatelli Turin-bound?

Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli was one of the stars of the group stage and has been attracting interest from Arsenal and Juventus.

The Gunners were first to table a bid for Locatelli, 23, and confirmation came from Sassuolo chief executive Giovanni Carnevali.

He said: "Arsenal have made an official bid for Locatelli. They’re pushing hard to sign Manuel and it’s an important bid... we will see."

Juve have been told they must match the £34m offer if they wish to sign the midfield ace

But it is claimed Arsenal are already out of the race for the Sassuolo playmaker amid competition from the Old Lady.

Juve surrendered their Serie A crown last term after nine seasons on top but will be stronger in 2020-21 under the returning Max Allegri, which should be decisive for Locatelli.

Damsgaard deal

Denmark winger Mikkel Damsgaard was the breakout star of Euro 2020 and interest in the Sampdoria winger grew steadily throughout the tournament.

Damsgaard, 21, shot to fame with his stunner in Denmark’s 4-1 group stage win over Russia before adding another bolt from the blue against England in the semi-finals.

Sampdoria have set the asking price for Damsgaard at £34m, according to reports in Italy.

Those same reports claim Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan are all interested in signing Damsgaard, who joined the Blucerchiati from Nordsjaelland last summer.

Inevitably, Premier League clubs are also keen on the tricky wideman, with Liverpool and Tottenham the two names cited in Italy.

In fact, Spurs could even be in pole position to sign Damsgaard after reaching out to the player’s agent to establish their interest.

Sampdoria have a rich history of signing relative unknowns from Europe before turning a big profit on them — Milan Skriniar, Patrik Schick, Krzysztof Piatek and Bruno Fernandes are just four examples — and Damsgaard could be the latest.