The former Borussia Dortmund star is not short of suitors amid uncertainty over his future in London.
And Real Madrid are reportedly making their move.
T OP STORY – MADRID TELL ARSENAL TO DECIDE OVER AUBA
Real Madridhave set Arsenal a deadline as they look to sign star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to The Mirror.
Aubameyang is out of contract in June 2021 and the Gabon international has been tipped to leave Arsenal.
Madrid reportedly want Arsenal to make a decision on Aubameyang's future by June 15 as the likes of Inter and Paris Saint-Germain also circle.
ROUND-UP
- Sport reports Barcelona are on the brink of signing Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic. The LaLiga giants are close to agreeing a four-year deal with the Bosnia-Herzegovina international.
- Pjanic had been mentioned in a possible swap deal with Barca's Arthur, who has previously dismissed an exit. However, Tuttosport claims Juventus have not given up on signing Arthur.
- Former RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick is set to become head coach of Milan, reports Calciomercato.
- The Express says Manchester United have identified Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek as a top transfer target. Van de Beek has also been linked to Madrid and Juve.
- Madrid want Casemiro to continue at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Mundo Deportivo reports the futures of captain Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquezand James Rodriguezare up in the air.
- According to The Sun, Borussia Dortmund want to sign Chelsea teenager Charlie Webster.
- Inter have set their sights on Freiburg centre-back Robin Koch, reports Tuttomercatoweb. Koch has also been linked to Napoli and Benfica.
- United are keeping tabs on Swansea City defender Joe Rodon, says The Mirror. The Red Devils have already raided Swansea previously, signing Welshman Daniel James ahead of the 2019-20 season.
Martinez and Werner are two forwards linked with moves during the close season after impressive campaigns at Inter and RB Leipzig respectively.
And Werner could reportedly fill Martinez's boots at San Siro if the Argentina international makes the switch.
TOP STORY – WERNER COULD REPLACE BARCELONA TARGET LAUTARO
RB Leipzig star Werneris the leading candidate to replace Martinez if the Inter forward joins Barcelona, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Werner has been heavily linked with a transfer to Liverpool, but the Mirror reports the Premier League leaders have withdrawn from talks as they are unwilling to meet his £49.4million (€55m) release clause.
Meanwhile, AS reports Philippe Coutinho could be part of Barca's bid to land Martinez, even as Inter say the only way the 22-year-old will leave is by his reported €111m clause being paid.
ROUND-UP
- Will Barcelonaand Juventus get an exchange deal done? Sport reports Juve are pushing to land Arthur, but the midfielder wants to stay with the LaLiga giants. Miralem Pjanic has been linked with a move to Camp Nou.
- Staying at Barcelona and Mundo Deportivo reports the club are willing to let Ousmane Dembele leave if a good offer arrives. The attacker has been linked with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain, with Neymar reportedly a target for Barcelona.
- DavidLuiz's future appears uncertain. Sky Sports News reports the defender's stay at Arsenal could be coming to an end after one season as his contract expires next month and no talks are planned over a new deal.
- It seems Tiemoue Bakayokocould be set for another transfer. Le 10 Sport says the midfielder, on loan at Monaco from Chelsea, is being targeted by Milan and West Ham, with PSG's interest having eased.
- With Kepa Arrizabalaga out of favour, Chelsea are said to be looking for a new goalkeeper. The Sun says the Premier League side are lining up a £15m (€16.7m) move for Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper Roman Burki.
- Staying at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are also reportedly eyeing a left-back. The Mirror reports they are keeping an eye on developments around Ajax full-back Nicolas Tagliafico, who could be available for around £22m (€24.5m).
German football chiefs expect the top-of-the-table match between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig to go ahead as scheduled at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT).
However, the Rhine derby between Borussia Monchengladbach and Cologne, which was due to be played at 15:30 local time (14:30 GMT), was postponed due to the poor conditions caused by Storm Sabine, as it has been called in Germany.
The Bundesliga announced on its website: "With the high winds and widespread rains that have been battering parts of Europe showing no signs of abating, the Deutsche Fussball Liga, in consultation with the local authorities, have decided to postpone the fixture on safety grounds."
It said a new date for the match would be announced in the coming weeks.
Dutch Eredivisie officials made an early call on the weather, deciding on Saturday that Sunday's schedule would be cancelled.
That meant games including Utrecht's home fixture against leaders Ajax, and second-placed AZ's clash with third-placed Feyenoord, were postponed to a later date.
Belgium's Pro League also cancelled all Sunday fixtures.
Football was set to continue in England, however, with Sheffield United preparing to face Bournemouth and Manchester City hosting West Ham in Premier League action.
Top-flight fixtures in France, Spain and Italy look set to go ahead, along with the Six Nations rugby union clash between France and Italy in Paris.
The 69-year-old, who announced his retirement in 2019, is back for a third spell in charge of the national team as their World Cup qualifying campaign prepares to resume next month.
His first appointment since leaving Manchester United back in 2016, he takes over following the departure of Frank de Boer, who stepped down after the Netherlands' last-16 exit from Euro 2020.
Van Gaal, who will be assisted by Danny Blind and Henk Fraser with Frans Hoek serving as goalkeeping coach, was first in charge between 2000 and 2002 but stepped down after failing to secure qualification for the World Cup.
He returned for a second stint in 2012, guiding his nation to third place at the World Cup in Brazil two years later before departing for Old Trafford.
Van Gaal's first match back in charge sees the Dutch travel to Norway on September 1 in a World Cup qualifier.
Currently second in Group G with six points from three matches, the Netherlands then play back-to-back home games against Montenegro and table-topping Turkey.
Van Gaal said: "Dutch football has always been close to my heart and the national coach is, in my opinion, a key position for moving our football forward.
"Moreover, I consider it an honour to coach the Dutch national team. There is little time until the next qualifiers, which are immediately crucial for participation in the World Cup.
"The focus is, therefore, 100 per cent on the players and the approach. After all, that's what I'm assigned to do. It's good to be back.
"I have already spoken to a number of players and together with the KNVB (the Dutch Football Association), the technical staff has been assembled. I'm really looking forward to getting the job done together."
Nico-Jan Hoogma, KNVB director, added: "In the coming months, we will be tasked with qualifying for the World Cup. For this, we have a minimum preparation period.
"In view of this job, we were looking for a coach with exceptional qualities, who can also anticipate quickly.
"With his experience and track record at the highest level, we have that coach in our eyes with Louis van Gaal. The contact was made quickly and we have spoken many times since then.
"In the last few days, we have been able to carefully put the finishing touches together. We are happy that Louis is taking on this job."
A league winner in three different countries, having secured domestic titles while at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Van Gaal has enjoyed a hugely successful managerial career.
He also won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995, then guided Bayern to the final 15 years later.
Van Gaal won 27 of the 44 games he oversaw during his first two spells with the Netherlands, drawing 13 and losing just four.
