According to reports, Sampdoria has rejected an offer from Newcastle for star midfielder Dennis Praet. Italian giants Inter Milan have re-entered the race to sign Juventus and Tottenham target Keita Balde. In Italy, Juventus is confident of beating Liverpool to the loan signing of World Cup winner Benedikt Howedes, while former Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic has rejected an offer from Brighton.

Praet to remain at Sampdoria

According to Althescores, Serie A club Sampdoria has turned down an offer from Newcastle United for Dennis Praet. Dennis Praet has been on the Magpies' radar and the club made a $22.4m bid for the Belgium international, only for the Serie A club to reject the offer.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has made it clear that he does not believe his side is prepared to “flourish” in the EPL this season and has demanded the club's executives to bring in further new players before the summer transfer window closes. Dennis Praet has been a prominent player at Sampdoria since joining the club from Anderlecht last year. Now, it seems the Italian club is not ready to lose the Belgian this summer.

Keita Balde wants to leave Lazio

Inter Milan have stepped up their chase to sign up Lazio striker Keita Balde, according to Fanrags Sports. Juventus have had a bid turned down by Lazio, who are reportedly holding out for $36miilion for the striker. However, Premier League club Tottenham is said to have met Lazio's demands and are set to launch an offer for the Senegalese.

The striker is entering the final year of his contract, and he has openly expressed his desire to leave the club this summer and has refused to train with the club last week. Keita Balde scored sixteen goals for Lazio in Serie A last term.

Juventus keen on signing Howedes on loan

According to ESPN FC, Italian champions Juventus is keen on signing Schalke 04 defender Benedikt Howedes, amid interest from Liverpool.

Juventus is said to be ready to take the center defender on loan for the entire season at a cost of around $3.2m. The Italian champions will then shell-out a further $9.6m next year summer to make the move permanent. Benedikt Howedes has attracted lots of interest from clubs around Europe this summer, and he is finally set to leave.

Jovetic rejects Brighton's offer

According to Calcio Mercato, Inter Milan striker Stevan Jovetic has turned down an offer from Premier League new boys Brighton and Hove Albion. Brighton reportedly had an offer of around $20m for the Montenegro international accepted by the Italian club earlier this week. But, after holding a series of talks with Brighton, the 27-year-old striker has turned down their deal offer. Stevan Jovetic is attracting a lot of interest around Europe and has already rejected an offer from fellow Premier League club Newcastle. Jovetic has been told by Inter Milan that he is free to leave the club, as he is no longer in their first team plans this season. He will have to wait until a more attractive proposal comes for his signature.
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