We have had the starter, now it is time for the main course.
After two weeks of group action, Euro 2020 finally gets down to business with the tournament’s first day of knockout football.
A resurgent Denmark take on Robert Page’s Welsh underdogs in the opening last-16 match before Austria bid to pull off a major shock and eliminate unbeaten Italy.
But while our eyes are firmly fixed on the European Championship, the transfer rumour mill continues apace.
Here is all the gossip relating to the four teams taking part in today’s matches.
Damsgaard London-bound?
It is no surprise to learn that Danish forward Mikkel Damsgaard is attracting interest from the Premier League and further afield.
After topping off two fine displays against Belgium and Russia with a sensational long-range effort against Stanislav Cherchesov’s side, the Sampdoria star has caught the eye of a number of sides.
Damsgaard, 20, became the youngest Danish player to score at the European Championship finals with that strike and West Ham, Tottenham and Barcelona are reportedly keen to tap into the youngster’s undoubted potential.
But with his Serie A employers believed to be demanding more thn £25million for the wing wizard, it will take a sizeable chunk of cash to get a deal over the line.
Spurs to buy Berardi?
Luckily for Tottenham, Damsgaard is not the only winger on their wanted list, with Italian wideman Domenico Berardi also piquing the club’s interest.
The Sassuolo sensation, 26, would set managerless Spurs back around £43m but could be worth every penny after chipping in with 17 goals and seven assists in Serie A last season.
Not content with having two targets in action today, Austria’s Marcel Sabitzer could be of interest to Daniel Levy but the Londoners will have to join the queue as AC Milan are reportedly in for the RB Leipzig maestro.
Locatelli link
The red and white half of London also have their eye on a Neroverdi midfielder but it is Manuel Locatelli, 23, who has Arsenal’s bean counters calculating if they can afford the £34m man.
There will be plenty of other clubs waiting to pounce if the Gunners choose to spend their cash elsewhere, with Juventus believed to be in the running to sign the Italian.
Ramsey revelations
One player who will not be heading to the Emirates is Aaron Ramsey — his agent appears to have poured cold water over talk that a return to the 30-year-old’s former side could be on the cards.
But that does not mean the Juventus man will not be leaving Turin, having already made it clear his future lies elsewhere earlier this month.
He said: “The last two seasons at Juventus have been very difficult, frustrating, not just from a physical point of view. I want a place where I can feel good again.”
Welsh stars on the move
Harry Wilson could be set to follow in Ramsey’s footsteps and try his luck away from British shores, with the news that Portuguese giants Benfica are rumoured to have made an official approach.
The clubs are some way apart in their valuation of the 24-year-old forward but £13m would be enough to secure his services.
Experienced midfielder Joe Allen, 31, may also be on the move, as Slavisa Jokanovic considers making him part of his Sheffield United revolution.
