Liverpool are confident of a deal for a world-class star, with a long-serving Jurgen Klopp favourite to leave for just £10m, Tottenham are in talks over a deal to sign a new left-sided assist machine, while Monday’s Transfer Gossip claims Newcastle are pushing to sign a £40m England squad star.
KLOPP BEATING A PATH TO JOSKO GVARDIOL SIGNING FOR LIVERPOOL
Liverpool are emerging as strong favourites to sign Josko Gvardiol ahead of a host of other clubs, according to a report.
The Reds are gearing up for a summer of heavy spending after falling below their own high standards this season.
And despite the possibility of finishing outside the Champions League places, the pull of Jurgen Klopp still remains strong.
Indeed, the Liverpool boss has a number of top-quality targets as he looks to rebuild his side for the 2023/24 season.
And while midfield will be his main focus – with Jude Bellingham a top target – he also wants to strengthen his defence too.
To that end, both of Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have struggled to find their best form this season.
And the German is determined to bring in a new high-class defensive partner for Virgil van Dijk.
As a result, Football Insider now places Liverpool as strong contenders to sign Gvardiol.
The RB Leipzig defender is rated as one of the elite centre-halves in world football. And with a £97m exit clause in his contract, any move will not come cheap.
However, that does not become active until summer 2024, meaning clubs are looking to spark a bidding war to sign him this summer.
To that end, the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Manchester City are all on his trail.
But it is Klopp leading the charge with the boss convincing the Liverpool board to make their move.
Liverpool to sell Matip as Gvardiol plans emerge
Nonetheless, any deal for Gvardiol is likely to set the Reds back around £80m.
However, Klopp believes it is an opportunity not to be missed and confidence is growing that a deal can be agreed. And with Gvardiol recently admitting he grew up following Liverpool, they could well have secured a key advantage.
To help fund his summer rebuilding, the Merseysiders are likely to remove plenty of deadwood from their squad. And while not quite falling into that category, it seems Matip’s time at Anfield is drawing to a close.
The 31-year-old is now in his seventh season at the club, having arrived as a free agent from Schalke in summer 2016.
However, his time on Merseyside has been riddled with injuries, having made just 184 appearances in that time.
His deal is due to expire in summer 2024, by when he can leave as a free agent.
And while Klopp is happy to stick around, reports claim they are willing to sell if an offer of around £10m – £15m comes in.
That money would be reinvested in the squad – and it seems Gvardiol is their outstanding pick.
The left-footer’s signing would see Van Dijk move from his usual left-sided centre-half berth to the right. And that slight positional change would also hopefully help Trent Alexander-Arnold return to his best after a difficult season.
TOTTENHAM IN TALKS FOR BORNA SOSA
Tottenham are progressing with talks over a deal to sign Stuttgart star Borna Sosa, according to reports.
Despite parting ways with manager Antonio Conte on Sunday evening, the club continues to prepare for the summer window.
And one of their major priorities is to replace a player brought to the club last summer by Conte.
Indeed, Ivan Perisic has failed to find his best form since coming to the London as a free agent last summer.
Brought in as a left wing-back, Perisic has not managed to find his best form in a Spurs shirt.
Furthermore, at 34, Spurs know he will not be able to carry on playing forever.
As a result, sporting director Fabio Paratici has earmarked Sosa as a potential upgrade.
In the last three-and-a-half seasons, Sosa has impressive 29 assists to his name and is one of Stuttgart’s star performers.
Now according to Christian Falk, via Caught Offside, talks over a summer deal are well underway.
The 25-year-old Croatian is valued at around £22m – a fee well within the reach of Tottenham.
And their hopes are boosted by an admission from Sosa that he would like to play in England.
“This summer could be the time for a new breakthrough,” he told Dalmatinski Portal.
“I hope to stay healthy until the end of the season. And I hope to be able to come to an agreement with the club. Personally, I would like to experience the Premier League once. It is the best league in the world.”
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NEWCASTLE BATTLE TOTTENHAM TO SIGN JAMES WARD-PROWSE
Tottenham’s wishes to sign Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, meanwhile, will come under threat from Newcastle.
The England midfielder will leave St Mary’s this summer if the club fails to avoid relegation.
Saints are currently bottom of the table with 23 points. However, a congested bottom half means they are also fourth points adrift of Crystal Palace in 12th.
Despite their struggles, Ward-Prowse has been in the form of his career this season at Southampton. And the 28-year-old has nine goals and two assists so far during 2022/23.
But if they do drop, his long assocation with the club will come to an end.
Tottenham are reportedly leading the chase for his £40m signature as they look to add a new dimension to their midfield.
However, Newcastle are also reportedly weighing up an approach if they cannot land first choice James Maddison.
The Magpies want to make three marquee signings this summer, including an attacking midfielder.
Ward-Prowse has made 399 appearances for Southampton and has three years left on his deal.
