Liverpool are keen to sign a powerful France duo as part of three midfield signings, Aston Villa are ready to make a double €75m splash on Real Sociedad, while Monday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Jorge Mendes is looking to steer a Barcelona star to Man Utd.
KLOPP WANTS TWO FRANCE MIDFIELDERS AT LIVERPOOL
Liverpool are hot on the trail of two France midfielders – with Jurgen Klopp reportedly intent on bringing both players to Anfield.
The Reds’ need to rebuild their midfield this summer is extremely well documented. Indeed, with James Milner close to agreeing a move to Brighton, he will join Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in leaving this summer. Furthermore, the return to Juventus of failed loan signing Arthur Melo will leave Liverpool a fourth midfielder down.
As a result, Klopp has been scouring the globe for suitable replacements and to reinvigorate the Reds engine room.
The first of those signings appears to be gathering pace at a rate of knots. And it seems a handy clause in the deal of Alexis Mac Allister will help engineer the Argentine’s move to Anfield.
Per widespread reports, that is likely due to set Liverpool back around £53m.
With talks scheuled this week, Klopp could soon reportedly have his first summer signing wrapped up in a matter of days.
But rather than rest on his laurels, Klopp is turning his focus towards two more deals. And captures of his next two targets could well give Liverpool’s midfield a solid new look next season.
First up, it is claimed Klopp is ready to go back in for summer 2022 target Aurelien Tchouameni. The midfielder opted for a move to Real Madrid ahead of the Reds last summer.
But with Los Blancos poised to seal a move for Jude Bellingham, Tchouameni could find himself making way.
As a result, talk has been rekindled that Liverpool are reading a new €85m (£74.1m) offer.
Liverpool want Youssouf Fofana to hook up with Tchouameni, Mac Allister
The 23-year-old is not the only France midfielder on Liverpool’s radar either.
And according to the Daily Mail, Klopp is also on the trail of Monaco star Youssouf Fofana.
The 24-year-old knows Tchouameni well having partnered him in the Monaco midfield before the latter’s move.
But he’s also a steely performer himself and proved his abilities by earning selection for France’s World Cup squad.
He now has nine caps to his name and looks a settled member of Didier Deschamps’ squad.
However, the player is looking to take his game to the next level by securing a move to the Premier League.
His deal in the Principality expires in summer 2024 and he’s showing no signs of agreeing an extension. As a result, a parting of ways looks to be on the cards this summer.
The Mail claims both Chelsea and Liverpool are keen with a €25m (£21.9m) offer likely to convince them to sell.
And he could form a solid new midfield triumverate at Anfield next season alongside Mac Allister and Tchouameni.
The French pair alone will cost Liverpool a combined €110m. However, at less than what Real will pay for Bellingham, it would be a shrewd investment if Klopp can pull it off.
JORGE MENDES KEEN TO TAKE ANSU FATI TO MAN UTD
Barcelona are being warned that Man Utd are still in the mix to sign Ansu Fati with Jorge Mendes looking to secure his client a bumper new deal. (Sport)
Eintracht Frankfurt chief executive Axel Hellmann is playing down claims that Manchester United are planning to sign Randal Kolo Muani this summer. (Bild)
Jude Bellingham is rejecting a £13m a year contract offer from Manchester City (£250,000 a week) to secure his move to Real Madrid. (Marca)
Roma are working on a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Evan Ndicka, with the signing of the free agent likely to result in Diego Llorente’s return to Leeds. (Corriere dello Sport)
Bayern Munich are considering a shock move to bring Ousmane Dembele back to the Bundesliga this summer. Any deal for the Barcelona star, however, will likely depend on the sale of Sadio Mane first. (Mundo Deportivo)
Fulham are reportedly considering a move to sign Mateus Uribe, with the Porto midfielder seen as a replacement for Joao Palhinha. (various)
Liverpool are ready to try again for Piotr Zielinski following claims he will be sold by Napoli this summer for around €28.6m. (Meczyki.pl)
WEST HAM LEADING CHASE TO SIGN BOULAYE DIA
West Ham are leading the chase to sign Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia this summer with a €20m fee on his head. (Corriere dello Sport)
Newcastle are making a huge offer to Raphinha in a bid to lure him to the Premier League. The Magpies plan to offer the Brazilian a deal worth £12m a season (£230,000 a week) to convince him to quit Barcelona. (Sport)
Sergino Dest’s agent claims three Premier League clubs are chasing a summer deal for the Barcelona star with a permanent stay at loan club AC Milan unlikely. (Barca Times)
Guido Rodriguez is breaking off new contract talks with Real Betis in the belief he can force through a move to Barcelona. (Sport)
Barcelona are ruling out a move for Ruben Neves with Xavi reportedly holding fears about the defensive aspect of his game. (AS)
Lionel Messi is delaying any decision on his PSG future and a possible return to Barcelona until after the Ligue 1 season ends on June 6. (RMC Sport)
Tottenham are asking Barcelona to ‘name their price’ for Franck Kessie following claims Xavi is ready to cash in on the Ivorian. (Sport)
VILLA TARGET €75M RAID FOR REAL SOCIEDAD DUO
Aston Villa are ready to make a blockbuster double swoop on Real Sociedad for Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino in a double €75m (£65m) raid. (AS)
PSG sporting advisor Luis Campos is in talks with Jose Mourinho over a bid to make the Portuguese firebrand their new coach. (RMC Sport)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is making it clear he wants to leave Chelsea this summer – with a return to Barcelona on the cards. (Fabrizio Romano)
Eden Hazard is making it clear he intends to see out the final year of his Real Madrid contract despite a huge battle for game-time. (Cadena Cope)
Manchester City star Bernando Silva is PSG’s top target of the summer as part of a major rebuild at the Ligue 1 giants. (Le 10 Sport)
Barcelona are increasingly confident of securing the signing of Ilkay Gundogan – and are also in talks over a deal for Joao Cancelo. (various)
