Euro Paper Talk: Klopp picks electric new €110m midfield pairing at Liverpool; Man Utd seriously keen on Frankfurt star
![Khephren Thuram and Jean-Clair Todibo Nice Khephren Thuram and Jean-Clair Todibo Of Nice in Ligue 1 action against AC Ajaccio](https://images.ps-aws.com/c?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.teamtalk.com%2Fcontent%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F04%2F24115645%2FKhephren-Thuram-and-Jean-Clair-Todibo-Nice.jpg)
Khephren Thuram and Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice
Liverpool are looking to sign two exciting midfielders in a combined €110m double deal, Manchester United have serious interest in a Frankfurt star, while Monday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Leeds are battling Everton for a Serie A striker.
KLOPP WANTS TO PAIR NICOLO BARELLA AND KHEPHREN THURAM
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is targeting deals for Nicolo Barella and Khephren Thuram this summer as he looks to strengthen his midfield.
The Reds have fallen off their lofty perch this season and are battling to even secure European football at Anfield for 2023/24. And with their midfield now highlighted as an area of weakness, Klopp is ready to spend big this summer.
For long periods, Jude Bellingham has been seen as their No 1 target with demand for the England teenager higher than ever.
But Borussia Dortmund’s valuation means Liverpool look unlikely to finance a move this summer. And Klopp will instead spend the money needed for Bellingham to land two players instead.
With that in mind, Klopp reportedly has drawn up a shortlist of players for which to try and sign.
And now reports claim he has settled on his preferred two targets to give Liverpool an exciting new look next season.
First up, Klopp is reportedly pushing hard to sign Nicolo Barella.
The Italy midfielder has helped guide his side into the Champions League semi-finals, where they face city rivals, AC Milan.
However, they are currently sixth in Serie A and in danger of missing a return to the competition next season. Indeed, it looks like their best route to qualifying again for it next season would be to win it this.
But failure to reach it again means Inter will be forced to listen to offers for their crown jewels. And according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool are stepping up that chase for Barella.
Inter, though, will not sell on the cheap and are placing a new €70m asking price on the 26-year-old’s head.
Liverpool want Giorgio Scalvini to join Barella and Thuram
Liverpool are also being described as ‘stronger than anyone’ in the race to sign Thuram.
The son of France legend Lilian is enjoying a breakthrough season with Nice, where he has shown his qualities in midfield.
The likes of Inter Milan, Napoli and AC Milan are all reportedly on his trail.
However, InterLive claims the trio are behind the Merseysiders in the race to sign the 22-year-old.
And with Nice willing to sell for a fee of around €40m, the outlet claims ‘Klopp will win’ in the race for his services.
That comes as a bitter double blow for Inter, who had seen Thuram as an ideal successor for Barella.
However, it seems the two men will instead pair up in an electric new Liverpool midfield pairing.
Inter could also be thwarted for a third time by Liverpool, with the Reds also seemingly ahead of them in the race for Giorgio Scalvini.
The Atalanta star, just 19, is rated as one of Italian football’s best young defenders.
That has led to speculation that a move away is on the cards with Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid also among those keen.
However, the teenager is keeping a clear head over his future in a chat with Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I am happy at Atalanta, I’ve never listened to rumours and I’ve never been affected, so I don’t see worrying signals,” he said. “Perhaps, I’ll have to think about it one day, but it will only happen if I do well now.”
MAN UTD INTEREST IN RANDAL KOLO MUANI IS SERIOUS
Manchester United are ‘definitely’ considering the signing of Randal Kolo Muani this summer and could move for the Eintracht Frankfurt striker if a move for Victor Osimhen fails. (RMC Sport)
Tottenham are desperate to make Arne Slot their new manager and are willing to pay him €5m net a year (£85,000 a week) to quit Feyenoord. (Soccernews)
Roma and Leeds are in talks over the permanent signing of Diego Llorente and hope to negotiate a lower fee than the agreed €18m purchase price. (Giallorossi.net)
The Serie A side are also in contact with Youri Tielemans’ representatives over a free-transfer swoop for the departing Leicester star this summer. (Giallorossi.net)
Jude Bellingham has told Borussia Dortmund he wants to join Liverpool and is prepared to wait to seal a move. The Reds have seen a £85m offer rejected this summer but reports they are ‘cooling their interest’ is seen as a ploy to secure his signing next summer. (various)
Juventus are growing increasingly worried by Dusan Vlahovic’s lack of goals and may be willing to consider his summer sale to suitors Arsenal or Chelsea. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Liverpool are ready to rival Arsenal in the summer chase for Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze amid talk of a £44m (€50m) deal. (Defensa Central)
TOTTENHAM PUSHING TO SIGN ANDRE ONANA
Tottenam are ready to offer Inter Milan €35m (£30.1m) for Andre Onana with the Cameroon star their No 1 pick to succeed Hugo Lloris. (Calciomercato)
Brighton are considering a surprise move for West Ham keeper Łukasz Fabianski this summer. (Meczyki)
Marco Asensio’s chances of signing a new deal at Real Madrid are now seemingly linked with Brahim Diaz and Eden Hazard. If the pair are sold, then the Spain winger will likely be offered a new contract at the Bernabeu. (Marca)
AC Milan are considering a surprise move for Kyle Walker following claims he’s leaving Manchester City. (Tuttosport)
Juventus are looking to snare Kalidou Koulibaly back to Italy following claims the defender is already unhappy at Chelsea. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Tottenham are pushing hard to sign Manuel Ugarte though Sporting Lisbon’s new demand for between €80m – €100m looks problematic. (O Jogo)
Real Madrid have learned they have no chance of snaring Reece James this summer with Chelsea deeming the star untouchable. (Fabrizio Romano)
LEEDS FACE EVERTON COMPETITION FOR SERIE A STRIKER
Leeds are looking to beat Everton to the signing of Salernitana star Boulaye Dia. The striker is on loan from Villarreal and they have the option to make his signing permanent for €12m. However, his stay could prove brief with the Premier League pair ready to offer them an instant profit. (La Citta di Salerno)
Fenerbahce duo Arda Güler and Ferdi Kadioglu are emerging as genuine transfer targets for Newcastle this summer. (A Spor)(
Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli insists there’s no chance Luciano Spalletti will leave for Juventus following recent rumours. (DAZN)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has held talks with Celta Vigo chiefs over the signing of Gabri Veiga. (Sport)
Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are considering summer approaches for Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah. (90min)
Former Spain and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is officially out of the running to become the new Chelsea manager. (Fabrizio Romano)
Manchester United are favourites to sign Victor Osimhen with Chelsea’s chances likely to suffer in the wake of their inflated spending and bloated squad. (TEAMtalk sources)