Euro 2020 Transfer Talk: Man City plan Griezmann raid

The wait is almost over as England aim to end 55 years of hurt when they face Italy in the 2020 European Championship final at Wembley tonight.

Gareth Southgate’s side can make history when they face the Azzurri and become the first men’s England team to win the Euros.

For Italy, beaten finalists in 2000 and 2012, victory would be their first since hosting in 1968.

Although tonight’s final dominates the football agenda, there are still plenty of transfer rumours and we have rounded up the best concerning players involved in the tournament.

Griez-mann City

Manchester City have approached France forward Antoine Griezmann about joining them from Barcelona.

And Griezmann, 30, is a player Barca would consider selling in order to free up the funds to re-sign LIonel Messi.

Asked about the possibility of letting the Frenchman leave the Camp Nou, Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman was reluctant.

He said: “For me, Griezmann is very important. He was an excellent recruit for Barca and he showed his quality. He is a very good player.

“But I insist, I do not know what decisions will be made in the end, because the most important thing is that Leo stays with us. This is the future of the club and we must try to the maximum.”

Jule in the crown

Tottenham will go head-to-head with Real Madrid to sign France defender Jules Kounde.

The Sevilla centre-back, 22, was one of LaLiga’s best in his position last season and has been linked with a move away from Andalusia all summer.

Real Madrid are keen on central defensive reinforcements after seeing Sergio Ramos exit, especially as they could also lose Raphael Varane, who has been linked with Manchester United.

Tottenham would reportedly be prepared to pay between £47million and £51m for Kounde.

Benz parked at Real

France striker Karim Benzema will remain with Real Madrid – even if Los Blancos sign his international team-mate Kylian Mbappe.

Benzema, 31, joined Real 12 years ago yesterday from Lyon and has made 559 appearances since.

Despite persistent links with Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe – who is out of contract next summer – Los Merengues will offer their No9 a new deal.

Reports in Spain claim Real will agree a contract extension with Benzema until the summer of 2023 before the season starts.

Marko KO

Austria striker Marko Arnautovic's future is in limbo after his proposed move to Bologna stalled.

The Shanghai SIPG striker, 32, had been expected to leave China to move to Serie A.

However, the former Stoke and West Ham forward is locked in a dispute with his current club over his release.

Arnautovic cost Shanghai £22.4m in the summer of 2019 and has scored 20 times in 39 appearances since.

Samp gaard Mikkel

Sampdoria are determined to hold onto Denmark sensation Mikkel Damsgaard amid interest from Liverpool, Tottenham, Juventus and Barcelona.

Damsgaard, 21, scored twice at Euro 2020 including the stunning free-kick which ended England’s run of five consecutive clean sheets in Wednesday’s semi-final.

The winger has been one of the young stars of the tournament and clubs across Europe are queuing up to poach him from Samp who will resist offers for as long as possible.