Manchester United are willing to activate the release clause of one of the best goalkeepers at the most recent World Cup, while Eddie Howe has set four priorities after learning his summer budget at Newcastle – all in Wednesday’s transfer gossip.
MAN UTD PREPARE LIVAKOVIC BID
The search for a new Man Utd goalkeeper has now led to a link with Dinamo Zagreb shot-stopper Dominik Livakovic.
According to Sportske Novosti, which claims Man Utd are willing to trigger the €10million (£8.8m) release clause in Livakovic’s contract. Indeed, it would be an affordable price for a club of their calibre.
Livakovic earned widespread praise at the winter World Cup for his performances with Croatia. He saved three penalties in their shootout win over Japan in the round of 16, one against Brazil in the quarter-final, and was man of the match when they beat Morocco in the third-place play-off.
Dinamo Zagreb are currently struggling to meet Livakovic’s demands for a contract extension beyond its current expiry date of 2024. He wants to earn €1.2m per season (or just over £20,000 per week).
Therefore, Man Utd could take the opportunity to sign their first ever Croatian player.
Of course, Man Utd are considering what should happen in their goalkeeping department this summer. David de Gea will be out of contract at the end of the season, though there have been positive talks about a renewal.
Nevertheless, there has been pressure on De Gea for some of the flaws in his game. Furthermore, Man Utd are due to lose backup option Jack Butland – potentially to Rangers – at the end of the season.
Dean Henderson’s future after his loan spell at Nottingham Forest remains unclear. Therefore, Man Utd need to act to ensure some stability between the sticks.
Now, they may have cast their eyes on Livakovic, in what Sportske Novosti says would be a ‘bombastic’ transfer.
However, the 28-year-old also has suitors at Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Galatasaray, according to the report.
But there are ‘solid foundations’ behind the link with Man Utd, it is claimed, so Livakovic may well be a target to keep an eye on.
NEWCASTLE SET SUMMER TRANSFER BUDGET
Newcastle have told Eddie Howe how much he will be able to spend in the upcoming transfer window, a report has revealed.
Howe has inspired major progress for Newcastle this season, which could culminate in them qualifying for the Champions League. Consequently, the club seem ready to accelerate their spending to construct an even stronger squad.
According to The Sun, Newcastle have now firmed up their summer transfer budget. Per the report, Howe will be able to spend somewhere between £100m and £150m on new players.
And should a top-four finish be confirmed, the budget will be towards the higher end of that estimation.
In turn, the Newcastle manager has decided that his priorities will be to sign a defensive midfielder and a left-back. For the latter role, the Magpies might make a move for Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney.
Aubameyang only joined Chelsea from Barcelona in September, but things have not gone to plan. Therefore, he wants out of Stamford Bridge – and would favour a return to Camp Nou.
According to Sport, Aubameyang is now ready to ask Chelsea to release him in the summer – one year before his contract should expire – to make his move back to Barcelona easier.
In turn, he could become the main backup to Robert Lewandowski up front for Xavi’s side.
During his previous spell there, Aubameyang scored 13 goals from 24 appearances. In contrast, he has only managed three goals from 19 appearances for Chelsea.
