Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool to replace £35m man with powerful Nice star as second deal for 6ft 3in stopper is lined up; Man Utd backed to sign £40m-rated Man City old boy
Liverpool are ready to make a Nice star a prime summer target and are also keen on an Anderlecht star, a former Man City star, linked with Man Utd, is tipped to move this summer in a £40m deal, while Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Arsenal are looking to gazump Leeds to a Barcelona winger.
KLOPP PLANNING BIG MOVE TO SIGN NICE STAR
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is ready to make a big play to sign Nice star Khephren Thuram this summer, according to a report.
The Reds boss is looking to rebuild his midfield after a difficult summer at Anfield. And the Merseysiders are pondering a number of potential options as they look to provide more energy and craft in the engine room.
Indeed, this summer’s transfer gossip columns have linked the Reds with no less than 49 names. We’ve taken the trouble of listing all 49 Liverpool targets for you right here.
And with confirmation recently coming from Fabrizio Romano that both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are leaving, Klopp is stepping up his plans to sign replacements.
Klopp, though, will have an element of regret that neither Keita or Oxlade-Chamberlain have lived up to expectations.
Indeed, hopes were high for £35m signing Oxlade-Chamberlain when he arrived from Arsenal in 2017.
However, injuries have ravaged his time at Anfield and now 29, he will move as a free agent this summer.
With goals and assists lacking from the Reds midfield, that is an area Klopp is keen to address.
And now 90min claim they are stepping up the chase for powerful Nice star Thuram. The 21-year-old is rated in the £40m bracket, having 10 goal contributions this season (two goals and eight assists).
Now Klopp is determined to bring him to Anfield in an effort to bring more attacking thrust from midfield.
Liverpool look to add £11m Anderlecht star to Khephren Thuram deal
For his part, the midfielder is keeping his cards close to his chest, insisting he’s happy at Nice.
“I am with Nice and I’m very happy where I am,” he said.
“I’m trying to get bigger with the club. I am trying to grow up with the club. So, yeah, obviously I hear it [the interest] but it’s not the most important. The most important is to do good with the team and be happy where I am.”
Any deal for the Thuram, though, could be just the start of what many expect to be a busy summer at Anfield.
And another name on their radar is that of Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The 6ft 3in stopper is contracted to summer 2025 but has been watched closely by the Reds. And with Klopp reluctantly ready to let Caoimhin Kelleher move on, Verbruggen is seen as a potential replacement.
Now Het Laatste Nieuws reports that Liverpool will need to fork out £11m for his services.
The 20-year-old is also being tracked by Burnley and Manchester United too. However, it seems the Merseysiders are favourites with Klopp a huge admirer of the Verbruggen and having already made enquiries for his services.
A €13m (£11m) sale would be a record fee for a Belgium keeper departing the Jupiler Pro League if Anderlecht’s achieve their asking price.
MAN UTD LINKED ROMEO LAVIA TIPPED TO LEAVE SOUTHAMPTON
Romeo Lavia is being backed to make a big-money move from Southampton this summer with Man Utd among his suitors. The player also looks likely to become Axel Witsel’s long-term successor in the Belgium side. (Het Laatste Nieuws)
Former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas is advising Gabri Veiga on his next move, with the Reds joining Man Utd, Arsenal, Newcastle and Real Madrid in chasing the Celta Vigo star. (AS)
Chelsea are reportedly fuming at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after he was spotted celebrating in the Barcelona dressing room following their recent 2-1 win over Real Madrid in El Clasico. (Sport)
Watford striker Joao Pedro denies pictures of him in Milan recently were a prelude to him signing for Stefano Pioli’s side this summer. (The Athletic)
PSG are ready to make a major push to sign Bernardo Silva this summer with the player ready for a new challenge. (Record)
Alex Telles insists he’s keeping an open mind on his next club as he prepares to leave Manchester United. (Estadio Deportivo)
AC Milan face selling Rafael Leao for around €80m this summer if he does not agree a new deal. That is some difference short of the €120m Chelsea were willing to pay last summer. (Napoli Magazine)
AMADOU ONANA HAS OPTIONS TO LEAVE EVERTON
Everton star Amaodu Onana has ‘big clubs chasing him’ amid speculation he may ditch the Toffees for Arsenal or Chelsea this summer. (Het Laatste Nieuws)
Manchester United ‘above all others’ are leading the race to sign Tammy Abraham with the striker free to leave Roma for the right price. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Jose Mourinho will only stay at Roma if certain transfer guarantees are met and he is allowed to sign three top targets this summer. (Corriere dello Sport)
Charles De Ketelaere, Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Divock Origi have been named Serie A’s biggest transfer flops of the season. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Matt Doherty’s future at Atletico Madrid is in doubt already following the player’s frustration at a lack of minutes under Diego Simeone. (various)
Marco Verratti is teasing about a possible return to Italy with Napoli amid claims he could leave PSG after 11 years in France. (Tuttosport)
Barcelona are willing to move for Monaco’s Brazilian defender Vanderson following previous links for the 21-year-old to Man Utd. (Sport)
Phil Thompson reckons Liverpool face transfer disappointment over Jude Bellingham and is advising the Reds to target two other stars. (Sirius XM FC)
ARSENAL LOOK TO BEAT LEEDS TO SIGNING OF BARCELONA WINGER
Arsenal are ready to usurp Leeds to the signing of Ilias Akhomach, amid claims Leeds had a deal done for the Barcelona winger. (Sport)
Barcelona look set to miss out on a deal for Yannick Carrasco, having stuck a €10m limit on the deal. Atletico Madrid, however, are seeking nearer €20m for the Belgium winger. (Marca)
Paulo Dybala plans to sue Juventus for €50m following the salary differences between his Roma deal and the extension previously agreed on with Juventus. (Corriere dello Sport)
Atletico Madrid are planning to use Rodrigo Riquelme as a sweetener to convince Girona into selling €20m-rated defender Arnau Martinez. (Sport)
Randal Kolo Muani is open to a move to Man Utd following reports of a £105m (€120m) offer. (L’Equipe)
Kolo Muani admits he ‘hates’ Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez for saving his injury-bound shot in the World Cup final. “That moment could have changed my life,” he says. (Mundo Deportivo)
Chelsea lead Arsenal and Juventus in the race to sign Leeds Utd winger Wilfried Gnonto this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Arsenal and Tottenham are going head to head in the race to sign £26m (€30m) rated Montpellier forward Elye Wahi, following his excellent season in Ligue 1. (Juenes Footeux)
