Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool hijack Man Utd deal for stunning striker upgrade as Klopp initiates contact; Arsenal arrive on scene for Ligue 1 talent

Liverpool have launched their own attempt to sign Victor Osimhen and are four times more likely than Man Utd to secure the Napoli striker, while Arsenal have joined the race for an in-demand Ligue 1 midfielder – all in Monday’s Euro transfer gossip.

KLOPP CHOOSES OSIMHEN AS LIVERPOOL TARGET

Liverpool have become contenders for the signature of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to a surprising update in the Italian media.

Osimhen’s goals have just helped Napoli to the Serie A title, but his future there remains unclear. Only two years remain on his contract and his current employers will have to fend off plenty of interest in him this summer.

Man Utd have been repeatedly linked with Osimhen as they aim to add a new number nine to their squad. However, the high asking price has been making them reconsider their plans.

According to La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Liverpool have now entered the race for Osimhen, whom Jurgen Klopp has chosen as the ideal centre-forward to take his side to the next level.

It was only this time last year that Liverpool were spending big on Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, but things haven’t wholly worked out yet for the Uruguay international.

He may yet come good, but La Gazzetta seems to think Klopp could show a ruthless side by joining the race for Osimhen.

Even so, Liverpool would have to break their transfer record again in order to sign the Nigeria international. Napoli are asking for €180m (£154m) for Osimhen, which would seem to be beyond what Liverpool would pay, considering they walked away from a deal for Jude Bellingham because of the midfielder’s own high price tag.

Nevertheless, the report claims Liverpool are now four times more likely than Man Utd to secure Osimhen. The trouble is, they still only have a 20% chance in comparison to Man Utd’s 5%.

Newcastle are also given a 5% chance of signing the 24-year-old, despite their major financial backing and the fact that they and Man Utd each have Champions League football on offer next season, whereas Liverpool do not.

There seems to be a few things that don’t quite add up about the report, but it still suggests Liverpool have lodged initial contact with Osimhen’s representatives.

That said, Liverpool are waiting to find out how strict Napoli’s stance is about the player before they make any kind of concrete move.

ARSENAL JOIN RACE FOR FOFANA

Arsenal have joined the race for Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana, who is also wanted by West Ham and Newcastle. (L’Equipe)

AC Milan are about to pay €15m to wrap up the signing of Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea. (Calciomercato)

Inter are considering a move for Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris or Nottingham Forest loanee Keylor Navas to strengthen in goal on the cheap. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Xavi Simons isn’t too keen on returning to PSG, which means Arsenal are in the race to sign him from PSV. (L’Equipe)

Aston Villa or Atletico Madrid would be willing to make a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. (Mundo Deportivo)

Newcastle have tried to convince Kim Min-jae to join them instead of Bayern Munich, but it’s too late to change the Napoli defender’s mind. (Rai)

Liverpool have asked about the conditions of a deal to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton. (Fabrizio Romano)

ASTON VILLA IN LEAD FOR TORRES

Aston Villa are leading the race to sign Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres for around €30m. (Periodico Mediterraneo)

Barcelona are expecting to complete the sale of Clement Lenglet to Tottenham for around €10m. (Diario Sport)

Arsenal have submitted their second bid for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, worth around €45m. (Fabrizio Romano)

Chelsea are targeting Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa but would want to pay his €75m price tag in three instalments. (A Bola)

Juventus are looking at Leicester’s Timothy Castagne or Real Madrid’s Alvaro Odriozola to strengthen at full-back. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt are competing to take Robin Koch back to the Bundesliga from Leeds. (Kicker)

Bayern Munich have not held any internal talks about signing Mason Mount from Chelsea. (Bild)

MBAPPE TO REAL MADRID LATEST

Real Madrid are calm about the availability of PSG forward Kylian Mbappe and will wait a number of weeks to assess the situation. (Marca)

Atletico Madrid have offered a new contract to Mario Hermoso, but the defender might get offers from the Premier League. (Marca)

Napoli are considering a move for Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez. (Gazzetta Dello Sport)

Roma defender Leonardo Spinazzola could move to Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia for €15m. (Corriere Dello Sport)

Nico Williams has agreed a new two-year contract with Athletic Club after links with Aston Villa. (Cadena Cope)

Luka Modric is officially staying at Real Madrid for another season but rejected one of football’s biggest ever contracts from Saudi Arabia first. (Fabrizio Romano)