TRANSFER UPDATES: Latest gossip from European newspapers February 21, 2022

If Real Madrid Florentino Perez had listened to football legend Diego Maradona’s advice in 2017 PSG star Kylian Mbappe would have been a Madrid player today. Back in 2017, Maradona revealed that he had advised Real Madrid president "Mbappe is going to be the one who is going to be better than many: Maradona told the Spanish journalist Marco Ruiz.”I told Florentino sign Mbappe'. And he told me that he had Cristiano [Ronaldo], the other [Gareth Bale]. (Marca)

Arsenal are ‘interested in Alvaro Morata transfer with Atletico Madrid ready to sell ex-Chelsea striker after Juventus loan. (AS Sport)

Man United and Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Barcelona Frenkie de Jong as the Dutch star reveals plans to stay at Barcelona for ‘many years’. Chelsea has been linked with a £50m move for De Jong, with Manchester United also claimed to be interested. (Sun)

Elsewhere, German giants, Bayern Munich are also reported to have 'made contact' with De Jong's agent over a possible transfer. (Sun)

Man United wants to trigger Diogo Dalot’s one-year option so they don’t lose him on a free transfer this summer (Mirror)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits he would understand if Nicolas Pepe wanted to leave this summer. Arteta said: “I hope he [Pepe] does see a long-term future at the Emirates. “But I understand when a player doesn’t play he’s disappointed and Nico has been disappointed because he wanted to have more minutes. Hopefully, he can play many more minutes and he can contribute to the team because he has the ability to do it" (Mail Online)

Arsenal legend Paul Merson claimed his former club should sign Aston Villa ace Danny Ings. (Sky Sports) 

Napoli star and Arsenal target Fabian Ruiz has admitted that he is flattered by links to Barcelona and Real Madrid. (90 mins)

Jack Wilshere has opened up on his move to Aarhus Gymnastik after almost a year as a free agent. (Sun)

Valencia ace Yunus Musah opened up about his decision to swap England for the US.: “I enjoyed my time with England, the coaches and the players, it was amazing but there came a time where I was playing first team at Valencia and the US coaches were talking to me a lot about the projects they had and I felt that I would play a part in it. We have a great team in the US and the project could be something big”. (Mirror)

Roma boss Jose Mourinho is targeting Eric Bailly transfer six years after bringing Ivorian defender to Man Utd’ (Il Romanista)

Manchester United will not stand in Cristiano Ronaldo's way if he demands to quit this summer. The Red Devils face a huge battle to even qualify for the Champions League during another disappointing season. (Sky Sports)

Real Madrid are not planning to make extreme changes to their squad next summer, with all their efforts being focused on strengthening their attack, particularly with regard to the potential signing of Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe. (Marca)

Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Isco will be released by Real Madrid as their contracts are coming to an end, while Jesus Vallejo, Mariano Diaz and Dani Ceballos are also expected to leave. (Marca)

Los Blancos may try to cash in on Eden Hazard, and Marco Asensio's future will be decided in summer. Alvaro Odriozola, meanwhile, will be returning from his loan spell at Fiorentina. (Marca)

Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Fede Valverde, Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga will be Real Madrid's midfielders, while Carlo Ancelotti knows his role and objectives for the season. (Marca)

Inter Miami owner optimistic that Messi will join the club. (El Heraldo)

West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady has been scathing in her criticism of Porto defender Pepe. Brady wrote in her column "He hasn't much of a football career left. He's 39 next week and there are suggestions that he will be suspended for two years. I understand they must be competitive, but nutting your way through 20 years is not the way to do it."( Marca)

 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants the club to extend the contract of England forward Raheem Sterling, 27. (Fabrizio Romano via BBC)

Houston Dynamo have made an offer to sign Atletico Madrid and Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera, 31. (MLS via BBC)

Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez, 30, wants to leave the club to play first-team football so he can make Spain's World Cup squad. (El Nacional via BBC)

Italian trio Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus are all interested in Barcelona and Netherlands forward Memphis Depay, 28. (Sport via BBC)

Tottenham are leading the race to sign Inter Milan and Netherlands defender Stefan de Vrij, 30. (InterLive, via BBC)

Everton could try to sign one of Chelsea's out-on-loan trio of Billy Gilmour, Conor Gallagher or Armando Broja this summer. Scotland midfielder Gilmour, 20, is at Norwich, England midfielder Gallagher, 22, is at Crystal Palace and Albania striker Broja, 20, and is at Southampton. (Givemesportvia BBC)