Euro Paper Talk: Klopp devastated as Al-Ittihad move for second Liverpool star to follow up £118m bid; loan exit for Tottenham man with £40m obligation to buy
Ibrahima Konate has emerged alongside Salah as a Saudi target
Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad are not just content with bidding for Mo Salah and are ready to try their luck with a move for a second Liverpool player, while Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Atletico Madrid are back in talks with a Tottenham midfielder over a loan to buy deal for a midfielder.
SAUDI GIANTS TARGET SECOND LIVERPOOL STAR
Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad have reportedly ‘sounded out’ a move for another Liverpool player as they also prepare to launch a £118m bid to sign Mo Salah.
The Reds have so far resisted all interest in their attacking talisman, with Jurgen Klopp adamant that the Egypt international is going nowhere this summer.
However, it’s reported that the Saudi side are set to test the Reds’ resolve with a £118m bid for the star winger.
And, what is more, they are also weighing up a move for Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate as well.
Konate moved to Merseyside in July 2021 and has become a key player under Klopp, making himself first-choice partner for Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk.
But despite that importance, RMC Sport in France states that the 24-year-old is wanted by Al-Ittihad after Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo turned down a ‘big offer’ to join them.
READ MORE: A full list of every completed Premier League transfer in the 2023 summer transfer window
Klopp highly unlikely to weaken Liverpool defence
The likelihood of Liverpool sanctioning the move is another matter though, especially with Klopp lacking quality depth at centre-back.
Konate has played 55 times for the Reds, scoring three goals and providing one assist while also lifting the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in his first season at the club.
The centre-back is not the only Liverpool star who’s been attracting more attention from Saudi clubs, with Al-Ahli tabling a £10m offer to bring midfielder Thiago over as well.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho are already plying their trade in the Middle East and, although it looks increasingly unlikely that Konate will not join them, the talk of an exit for Salah will not go away.
ATLETICO RENEW TALKS FOR TOTTENHAM MAN
Atletico Madrid have revived talks with Tottenham over signing Pierre Emile Hojbjerg on loan with obligation to buy for £40m. (Various)
Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe is on the verge of signing a new three-year deal with PSG. (Foot Mercato)
Barcelona’s Ansu Fati is flying to London alongside his father and the rest of his entourage before travelling to Brighton to complete his loan move. (Jijantes)
Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez is ‘waiting patiently’ to seal a move to Granada, with a deal close to being finalised. (Marca)
Roma have confirmed the signing of Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea. (Football Italia)
Lyon winger Bradley Barcola is set to undergo a medical ahead of a €45m move to Paris Saint-Germain. (Fabrizio Romano)
Inter Milan are keen to sign Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. (Tuttomercatoweb)
BARCELONA DEMANDING €20M FOR VILLA TARGET
Abde Ezzalzouli represents Barcelona in La Liga clash against Espanyol
Barcelona will demand €20m for winger Abde Ezzalzouli’s transfer amid Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen interest. (Sport)
Remo Freuler has already arrived in Italy to undergo his medical with Bologna, while Nico Dominguez is expected to join Nottingham Forest. (Sport)
Turkish club Besiktas are eyeing a late hijack of Tottenham defender Japhet Tanganga’s loan move to Torino. (Various)
Al Ettifaq have approached PSG midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum regarding a possible move. (Fabrizio Romano)
Wolves have seen an offer of €25m for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra rejected. (Foot Mercato)
AC Milan and FC Porto are expected to reach an agreement for Tottenham target Mehdi Taremi. (Calciomercato)
Barcelona have opened talks with Los Angeles FC in order to secure the signature of defender Mamadou Fall. (Football Espana)
Borussia Dortmund are closing on a €15m move to sign forward Niclas Füllkrug from Werder Bremen. (Sky Germany)
Valencia are desperate to bring in a number nine before the end of the transfer window and have targeted Al Sharjah frontman Paco Alcacer. (Marca)
