Transfer Tavern – talkSPORT

Liverpool have stepped up there interest in Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, talkSPORT understands.

Jurgen Klopp is looking at midfield options to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season with the Argentine star among those on his wishlist.

Liverpool are interested in a move for Mac AllisterThe Argentine star is valued by Brighton at around £70millionThe Seagulls are aware they face a fight to keep the midfielder this summer following a stunning season for both club and country.

Despite the interest, Roberto De Zerbi’s side will hold out for a fee as much as £70million for their integral star.

Mac Allister joined Brighton in January 2019 and has since established himself as a key player for the club.

Having now made over 100 appearances for the club, the 24-year-old has enjoyed his best season yet having scored 10 goals and grabbing two assists along the way.

Brighton also tied the midfielder down to a new contract that runs until 2025 with the option of a further year.

However, Mac Allister has since shone on the biggest stage of all after helping Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, starting six out of seven matches for his country.

Mac Allister’s stock has risen after his World Cup victory with ArgentinaMost read in FootballAlonso on Spurs links, Liverpool step up Mac Allister interest, Haaland breaks recordFormer Liverpool star emerges as serious contender for Tottenham jobThe Premier League results that could see Chelsea spiral towards relegationPremier League duo target Torres, Phillips fights for future, Saints lose star in overhaulThe 6,000-calorie diet that has Haaland breaking records and left The Rock stunnedLiverpool 1-0 Fulham LIVE REACTION: Reds win fifth straight game to close gap on top four He’s also helped Brighton to enjoy a wonderful season as well.

The Seagulls are right in the mix for a Europa League spot, something that the club will be hoping might be enough to tempt Mac Allister to stick around next term.

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Thierry Henry has revealed he warned Romelu Lukaku against rejoining Chelsea and claims the Belgian doesn’t want to return to Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku Left Inter Milan for Chelsea in a £97.5million deal in 2021 but was unable to recapture the form that fired the Nerazzurri to Serie A glory the previous season.

Lukaku endured a nightmare spell for Chelsea after his £97.5m move, scoring 15 goals in all competitionsLukaku fired Inter’s winner against Porto on WednesdayThe 29-year-old managed just 15 goals in 44 appearances and his struggles in west London earned him a season-long loan back to Inter last summer.

Henry worked closely with Lukaku in the Belgium set up and the Arsenal legend revealed he told the striker that he would ‘find it difficult’ to flourish under the then-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.

“We had a discussion when he [Lukaku] went to Chelsea,” Henry told CBS Sports.

“I told him he’s going to find it difficult to play at Chelsea and that happened to be the case because of the way Tuchel liked to play.

“Pressing, the No.9 and winger have to change, but Rom likes to stay where he is – feed him, play him early, he will try to bully you, turn, stay in the box.

“He’s a different type of No.9 to what Tuchel wanted.”

Lukaku failed to impress at Chelsea under Thomas TuchelMost read in FootballSpurs major injury blow, big Rashford claim, Everton boost, Man City 'worse with Haaland'Villa star Alisha Lehmann receives cheeky offer from tennis player over doubles matchJohn Motson dies: Legendary football commentator passes away, aged 77Foster makes admission after rejecting Newcastle and missing Carabao Cup final chanceToney delivers savage response to betting jibe made at Brentford star on InstagramArsenal star may quit due to lack of minutes but could earn transfer to Newcastle Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has led calls for Chelsea to bring Lukaku back to the Bridge in the summer to fix Graham Potter’s attacking woes.

But Henry admits that’s unlikely to happen as the player doesn’t want to go back.

The French football icon continued: “Now, is he going to fit into what Potter is trying to do? I think they’re struggling with that, let alone with him in the squad.

“But what does he want to do? I don’t think he wants to go back, that’s the main thing, I think he wants to stay at Inter.

“And that’s where there’s maybe going to be a little clash if they want him back because I think he wants to stay there.

“The way when he came back. He said it, he said it the other day, ‘Everyone knows what I want to do, what I want to do is to stay’.”

Lukaku has endured a difficult campaign with injury and his future beyond this season is unclear.

Henry was Belgium’s assistant coach and had a close relationship with LukakuHe did his hopes of staying at Inter in the long-term no harm by scoring his side’s winner against Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

His late winner handed Inter the initiative as they take a 1-0 win to Portugal for their last-16 second leg next month.

When quizzed on his future Lukaku made it clear that there is no dialogue between himself and Chelsea despite just four months remaining on his loan agreement.

“I haven’t spoken to nobody,” Lukaku explained.

“I focus on myself, the present, I don’t want to look at the future right now, it doesn’t make sense.

“Football is the present, the most important thing, I just want to perform and prepare myself for the next game at the weekend.”

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Chelsea are reportedly interested in a move for Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli.

According to the Daily Mail, the Blues are monitoring the Gunners forward amid uncertainty over his contract situation.

Martinelli has been a real hit for Arsenal in the early stages of this season The Brazilian has scored three times in nine appearances in all competitions this term Martinelli has established himself as a vital part of Mikel Arteta‘s plans, starting the season with three goals in nine appearances.

The Brazilian star has more than 18 months left on his contract, along with the Gunners holding an option to extend that deal.

And it is understood an improved contract is on the table given Martinelli’s increased role at the Emirates.

As with any contract negotiation, it is likely to attract interest from elsewhere.

Chelsea are in the early days of life under new owner Todd Boehly, while Graham Potter was appointed as the club’s head coach in recent weeks.

The ex-Brighton man will have his own ideas of what is needed to take Chelsea to the next level, however the addition of the lively Brazilian is bound to be an attractive proposition for any of the Premier League’s top clubs.

The Gunners are hoping to tie the forward down to an improved, long-term deal

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The Gunners are under no pressure to sell the forward at present and currently boast a settled squad at the top of the table.

But they may feel the pressure if they miss out on Champions League football again, with their biggest stars craving Europe’s elite compeitition.

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Chelsea are closing in on signing Wesley Fofana and are in ‘advanced talks’ over a deal to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports the Blues are in discussions over a deal worth in the region of £77million for the RB Leipzig starlet.

Gvardiol is in advanced talks over a move to join Chelsea However, a move for the 20-year-old would see him go back to Leipzig on loan and officially join the Stamford Bridge outfit in the summer of 2023.

A centre-back by trade, Gvardiol started his career with Dinamo Zagreb before working his way through the club’s youth academy.

After making his professional debut in October 2019, the defender made 52 appearances for the Croatian side before moving to Leipzig in the summer of 2021.

Since then he has made 50 appearances for the German outfit, leading to Chelsea’s interest.

The Premier League giants are determined to strengthen their defensive line, but with Gvardiol unlikely to join until next summer, they’ll be delighted to have progressed in the deal to sign Wesley Fofana.

Romano has also revealed that Chelsea‘s move for the Leicester star is ‘all completed’ after he passed a medical in America.

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There’s also good news for Chelsea fans with a deal for Fofana all-but done Romano added it’s expected that he’ll be formally unveiled on Wednesday.

Fofana has got the move he desires but the way the French defender has conducted himself hasn’t sat well with talkSPORT’s Graeme Souness.

“I’d fall out with him,” Souness said after Fofana played no part of Leicester’s defeat to Southampton.

“That’s possibly the wrong thing to do. At the end of the day, Brendan is walking a tightrope.

“People will be looking at him now. They’ve not had a good time, they are sitting near the bottom of the league and that’s the thing he has to deal with.

“He should be focusing on trying to win the next football match.”

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Chelsea’s new owners will be desperate to battle for silverware this season.

Having fallen away in the Premier League title race last year and knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter finals, the challenge for Thomas Tuchel’s side is to ensure that they go further this term.

Tuchel is desperate to add more firepower to his team this summer Fofana is pushing to join the Blues this summer It’s been a mixed start to the season for the Blues who have brought in five players so far this summer in the shape of Gabriel Slonina, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, Carney Chukwuemeka and, of course, Raheem Sterling, who arrived from Man City.

However, Chelsea are far from done with more new faces likely to arrive at Stamford Bridge.

But who might arrive and in the coming days to transform Tuchel’s team?

Edouard Mendy is set to retain his spot as Chelsea’s number one, desite errors creeping into his game, while Koulibaly and Thiago Silva’s experience will be a huge influence at the back.

But they could be joined by Leicester City star Wesley Fofana who has expressed a desire to leave the King Power Stadium amid numerous big-money offers from Chelsea.

N’Golo Kante and Jorginho provide the sort of solid foundation that Chelsea will need if they’re to kick on this term, but in the attacking third, it could be all-change.

Gordon continues to be linked with a big-money move to Chelsea Aubameyang is also wanted at Stamford Bridge as their new striker Mason Mount is one of the club’s most reliable stars, but with Chelsea making several offers for Everton starlet Anthony Gordon, he could find his spot in the team under threat.

Sterling is certain to be a regular starter for the Blues, and he could be supporting a familiar face for the Premier League with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continuing to be a key target for the west London side.

The ex-Arsenal star is available to leave Barcelona this summer and with Chelsea determined to sign a new number nine, he could spearhead a new-look attack.

Is this XI good enough to topple Man City and challenge for Champions League glory?

How Chelsea’s XI could look at the end of the summer transfer window

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Jason Cundy believes that Christian Eriksen has no reason to feel bad for leaving Brentford, saying ‘he owes them nothing’.

The Danish midfielder completed a move to Manchester United on Friday after penning a three-year contract at Old Trafford.

Eriksen has completed a move to Man United

Eriksen joined the Bees during the January transfer window after leaving Inter Milan in the autumn following his cardiac arrest during last summer’s European Championships.

During his time under Thomas Frank, the 30-year-old made 11 appearances, scoring one goal and creating four more to help the club to avoid relegation.

With some suggesting that Eriksen should have chosen to stay with Brentford through loyalty, former Chelsea man Cundy doesn’t believe that the midfielder owes them anything.

Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Cundy said: “He owes them nothing.

“I heard Simon Jordan banging on about this, he owes them nothing.

“They paid for his service, he delivered, his contract is up and he can do what he wants.”

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The midfielder will be hoping to show that he can still do it at the highest level Cundy added: “Why didn’t they give him an 18-month contract? There you go.

“They were tentative, they were a little bit wary and thinking that they didn’t know what they were going to get.

“If he didn’t deliver and he had a stinker, or he was injured for the whole time, do you think they’d want him back? You’ve got to look after yourself in this world.”

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Chelsea’s hunt for defensive reinforcements is far from slowing down.

The Premier League side are stepping up their summer transfer efforts after completing a deal to sign Raheem Sterling from Manchester City earlier this week.

Kounde has been linked as a potential addition for Chelsea Kimpembe has also been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leaving at the end of last term, a focus for manager Thomas Tuchel has been signing new defenders with one deal moving closer.

Chelsea are confident that they will be able to get a deal for Kalidou Koulibaly over the line, with the 31-year-old likely to head for Stamford Bridge in the coming days.

Tuchel’s side had been looking for a deal to sign Nathan Ake from Man City, however that collapsed when the two sides failed to agree a transfer fee, but according to talkSPORT’s transfer man Alex Crook, that hasn’t slowed the club down in the transfer market.

Speaking on White and Jordan, Crook said: “Chelsea are still on the hunt for two more central defenders.

“One of them could be Presnel Kimpembe from Paris Saint-Germain, although the clubs are yet to agree a fee.

“Keep an eye on long-term target Jules Kounde, and I’ve also been told that Dayot Upamecano is also being discussed at Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Koulibaly and look set to make more defensive additions “That could have a domino effect if Mathijs de Ligt completes his move to Bayern Munich.

“A bit of a blow to Chelsea who thought that this Nathan Ake deal was done.”

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Arsenal are putting plans in place for a transformative summer in the transfer market.

After the disappointment of missing out on a spot in the Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta is hoping to strengthen his squad in order to ensure they don’t miss out on a top four finish next time around.

Arteta has some big decision to make in the transfer market this summer With Lacazette joining Lyon and uncertainty over Nketiah’s future, Arsenal will be keen to enter the market With that in mind several names have already been mentioned.

Gabriel Jesus is one player who has been regularly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, however with Chelsea emerging as a potential contender to secure his signature, Arsenal may have to look elsewhere given their inability to offer Champions League football.

In terms of how the team could look, a few new faces could really refresh the team.

Aaron Ramsdale looks to have the goalkeeper position firmly nailed down for the next few years, something that could lead to Bernd Leno moving on.

In defence, Takehiro Tomiyasu will be hoping to keep hold of his right-back slot after a decent first season at the club.

Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White proved themselves as Arsenal’s top centre backs last term and will be hoping to build on that partnership this term.

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Zinchenko has been linked with a move to Arsenal where he’d be regarded as a key player However, with William Saliba likely to be competing for a spot in the defence and Rob Holding challenging also, there’s plenty of competition at centre back.

While Kieran Tierney is the club’s top left-back right now, his injury problems could be an issue for Arteta as he looks to pick up the results needed to finish in the top four.

As a result, Oleksandr Zinchenko has been linked with a move to north London as a player who could slot in at left-back or even in central midfield given the Man City star’s versatility.

In midfield, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard are likely to continue their role as key figures in the middle of the park, while Youri Tielemans continues to be seen as a top target for the club.

Tielemans looks set to leave Leicester this summer with Arsenal keen Richarlison has been linked with a move away to one of Europe’s top clubs The Leicester City man looks keen to move on from the King Power Stadium this summer and as it stands, the Emirates seems like the most likely destination for him.

Moving into the attacking third, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli look like the chosen options on either flank as Arteta looks to continue operating with pace and flair in wide areas, providing that they can fend off interest from City in the England international.

With Alexandre Lacazette joining Lyon and Eddie Nketiah’s future remaining uncertain, Arsenal have been linked with Jesus but could find that deal difficult to wrap up.

However, the Gunners have also been linked with a move for Everton star Richarlison.

The Toffees are under pressure to raise cash and the Brazil international is someone who is on the radar of Arsenal as they look for someone to lead their new-look attacking line.

Here’s how Arteta’s side could look next season.

Here’s how Arsenal could line up next season

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Uruguay’s national team stars took to the streets of the capital Montevideo to complete a 27km bike ride after qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Liverpool target Darwin Nunez was amongst the group of players that went from the Estadio Centenario to Celeste Training Complex – that’s more than 16 miles!

Liverpool target Nunez was seen going on the bike ride Cavani and co can be seen riding bikes on their journey Manager Diego Alonso led the players on bikes from the stadium that hosted the first ever World Cup final in 1930 up to Roosevelt Park, which is approximately 14 kilometers.

They then completed the journey on foot to the training complex which is an extra 13km.

The players can be seen in a video by Telemundo removing bikes from a pick up truck, whilst being wrapped up in warm clothing and hats during cold conditions in the capital.

Former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani and ex-Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin could be seen talking to reporters, while Nunez took hold of a bike.

The latter has been strongly linked with a move to Merseyside this summer, with reports Liverpool are prepared to smash their transfer record of £75million they paid for Virgil Van Dijk, to bring the Benfica striker to Anfield.

Liverpool’s new Sporting Director, Julian Ward, is understood to have been in discussions with his Portuguese club, with Nunez apparently keen to join the Reds in a deal that could reach £85m.

Jugadores de la selección cumplieron su promesa por clasificar a Catar: bicicleteada y caminata hasta el Complejo Celeste pic.twitter.com/4PZR8FuH8e

— Telemundo (@TelemundoUY) June 7, 2022

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Saka is a popular figure at the Emirates Stadium and the shining star in a crop of talented young players Arsenal could be left vulnerable as City and Liverpool circle “This season, he’s played 48 games in all competitions, he’s played in all 38 Premier League games, starting 36 of them. And he’s 20 years old.

“This is frighteningly similar to Jack Wilshere’s stats in the season that basically ruined his career – he didn’t play a single game the following season because of injury because they played him too much when he was that age.

“I think he’s still played less than 100 games in his career, and from the middle of last season where he suddenly burst onto the scene, and now they can’t leave him out, they can’t rotate him.

“He’s still young, they’re not looking after him properly.”

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Romelu Lukaku is hoping to force a move away from Chelsea this summer as he seeks a return to Inter Milan.

According to The Telegraph, the Belgian striker is determined to quit the west London club after a disappointing return to the Premier League.

Lukaku is seemingly keen to bring his Chelsea spell to an end Chelsea spent £97.5million to bring back Lukaku but things haven’t quite worked out The attacker returned for his second spell with Chelsea in a £97.5 million deal last summer, however after scoring 15 goals in 44 appearances for the club it’s safe to say that expectations haven’t been met.

While a permanent move appears unlikely this summer, the hope is that Lukaku can secure a loan exit with a view to a permanent switch next year.

However the prospect of securing a loan move are slim as well, with Chelsea only willing to accept a deal if it is financially viable.

That could include a £20million loan fee with any permanent fee needing to cover the cost of the initial outlay to bring him back to London.

Inter Milan are Lukaku’s desired location, however a move to the San Siro could be tricky with the Italian giants continuing their pursuit of Paulo Dybala on a free transfer from Juventus.

Speculation will continue to swirl around Lukaku’s future, but with Robert Lewandowski looking set to leave Bayern Munich this summer, Tony Cascarino believes that the Poland international could be the perfect man to replace Lukaku in Thomas Tuchel’s side.

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The Belgian striker has struggled to hit the heights this term Speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast, the former Blues striker said: “Mason Mount was the club’s top scorer in the Premier League this season – Lukaku hasn’t scored enough goals.

“It’s a tough one, what do you do with him? How many clubs in Europe can afford to pay his wages and pay a fee that would get him out the door?

“It’s going to come down to Tuchel. Sometimes managers just don’t fancy you, you’re not their cup of tea, and it looks that way. It doesn’t look like a good fit with Lukaku and Tuchel at Chelsea.

“If he’s given the option of getting Lewandowski, you’re going to go for it. OK, he’s 32, but Chelsea signed Thiago Silva and he’s been a brilliant signing for the club.

Tuchel will be looking to solve his striking problem this summer “If they could get that one over the line, Chelsea missed goals in the centre-forward position all season, and it’s cost them so dearly. They’ve come third and they are FIFA Club World Cup champions, but they could have done with an ultimate goalscorer and he’s one of them.

“You’d take Lewandowski every day of the week, he’s guaranteed goals and his wages would be small change for Chelsea.”

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There’s a reason why Dusan Vlahovic is being courted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs and he once again showed it on Thursday night.

The Serb, who is said to be Arsenal’s main target this month, netted another fantastic goal for Fiorentina to give his side the lead against Napoli.

Vlahovic is deadly in front of goal The 21-year-old expertly controlled a ball into the box by Riccardo Saponara before slotting ruthlessly into the corner.

It was his 17th goal of the campaign in just 20 Serie A appearances and one that exhibited just why Mikel Arteta is so keen to bring him to the Emirates.

Arsenal have been in great form of late but they still lack a killer instinct at times and Vlahovic would be the perfect addition to Arteta’s squad.

The Spaniard insisted the Gunners can still attract the world’s best players amid the links to Vlahovic earlier this week.

Dusan Vlahović with a typically ruthless finish!

Fiorentina open the scoring thanks to their star striker pic.twitter.com/QGdk2jBeEt

— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) January 13, 2022

“You hear a lot of rumours, like you hear about us,” he said.

“Some of them can be possible, some of them are not even considered. I think clubs are always willing to try to improve.

“We know that there are a couple of clubs in England now that have the possibility to buy players in January. Some of them have already done it. I am expecting more activity than last year because clubs are in a better position, but I don’t know how far we have come still through this pandemic.

Arteta believes his club can attract some huge names “Historically this club has always been targeting the best players in the world and the best players in the world were always interested to come here and I can say that situation hasn’t changed.

“Every time I have spoken to any player, they were so willing to come. I haven’t faced any other situation and that’s one of our biggest powers.

“Our capacity to get the attention of people to come and join our club is something that is an advantage for us.”

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Newcastle have been warned their takeover will be ‘a shambles’ if they don’t get their business right in the January transfer window.

Fresh from his exploits on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’, Magpies legend David Ginola joined talkSPORT on Thursday to discuss his adventure at the castle in Wales, and his verdict on what’s going on at his beloved former club.

Ginola joined talkSPORT on Thursday to discuss a range of topics Newcastle have won just one game since Eddie Howe was appointed last month, having also drawn two and lost four since the former Bournemouth boss was handed the reins at St James’ Park.

They face Manchester United, Everton and Southampton next in a run of games that could have a big bearing on their survival chances.

A huge January transfer window is needed if the Toon are to survive and their new billionaire Saudi owners will surely provide the funds for that.

A move for Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier is understood to be on the cards, while central defender Sven Botman of Lille has also been targeted.

Howe needs a huge January transfer window to improve Newcastle’s survival hopes And Ginola, who made 75 appearances in two years for the Toon Army, fears the Magpies could be in big trouble if they don’t get their transfers right.

“We need to wait a little bit because we have new owners, new investors,” he told the talkSPORT Breakfast on Thursday.

“It is not going to be in a few weeks or in a few months, we’re thinking about three, four, five years.

“Obviously they are very proud of the club, they look forward to the new investment that will be made for the club.

Newcastle’s new owners have work to do “It’s going to be difficult but I hope they are not going to use people within the club that are going to use silly investments.

“The main thing is to retrieve what is good on the pitch, the way of playing football.

“The players need to be devoted to the club and not just about wages.

“It’s relevant to say that the next year is crucial for the club, in terms of who they’re going to appoint as people who will decide in the name of Newcastle.

“Otherwise it’s going to be a shambles or a mess.

“They need people making the right decisions at the right time.”

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Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has reportedly emerged as a target for Real Madrid ahead of a potential move next summer.

Gomez suffered a knee injury last term in what was a devastating blow for the 24-year-old, having established himself as Virgil van Dijk’s top defensive partner prior to the setback.

Van Dijk doesn’t want to see Gomez leave Liverpool amid reported interest from Real Madrid Joel Matip has since been drafted in and he has impressed next to the Dutchman at the heart of defence, whilst £36million summer signing Ibrahima Konate is the main back-up if one of them get injured or rested.

Gomez is returning to full fitness and he captained Liverpool against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup in September.

He was a late substitute in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham but is seemingly now the fourth choice centre-back for Jurgen Klopp, meaning he could look for first team opportunities elsewhere.

Klopp asserted last week that he would be patient with Gomez and won’t entertain offers in January, but according to the Daily Mail, Spanish giants Real are ‘monitoring’ the player’s situation and could look to make a bid next summer.

The Dutchman has tipped Gomez to replace him one day as the main centre-back at Liverpool Real are looking to bolster their defence and have already made Antonio Rudiger their top defensive target, with the Chelsea centre-back set to become a free agent next summer.

Gomez, who has won the Premier League and Champions League, could be another welcome addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s ranks. However, Van Dijk is hoping Joe Gomez won’t be heading for the Anfield exit any time soon.

The 30-year-old, widely considered the best centre-back in the world when fully fit, tipped his teammate to one day replace him in the line-up and partner up with Konate in the first XI.

Speaking in a video posted to Liverpool’s social media accounts, Van Dijk said when speaking about Gomez and Konate: “These two are gonna take my place at one place though.”

Van Dijk has generously tipped his centre-back partners to replace him in the Liverpool XI

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Liverpool are reportedly one of the front-runners to sign Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland next summer.

Haaland has been an absolute phenomenon at Dortmund, hitting 76 goals in 74 matches for the Bundesliga outfit since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.

Haaland has scored 13 goals in 11 Bundesliga games for Dortmund this season Salah may well be the key to Liverpool signing Haaland He has been linked with several top European clubs, including Premier League duo Man City and Manchester United with his reported £68million release clause to become active next summer.

However, Anfield has now emerged as a potential destination for the Dortmund hitman, with Sky Germany reporting that the Reds and Paris Saint-Germain would be the ‘most obvious buyers at the moment’.

It’s understood Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, who already has 22 goals this season, is demanding ‘further reinforcement, more money and more appreciation’ from the club and has pinpointed the signing of Haaland as someone who could persuade him to sign a new deal.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid are also a strong contender to sign the 21-year-old, with their interest in the player confirmed by Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

Haaland will not be short of options if he wants to leave in the summer He told BILD TV: “No matter where I go, everyone speaks to you about Erling Haaland.

“All I know is a guarantee that Real Madrid are very interested in him. I could name 25 others now.

“But I know for sure, it can be that he leaves, but it can also be that he stays.”

Liverpool are already one of the best teams in the world and signing Haaland could take Jurgen Klopp’s side to new heights.

Klopp might need to sign a centre-forward in the summer They boast one of the best starting XIs in world football, but it could be argued his squad doesn’t have the squad depth that title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea possess.

A new deal for Salah, however, is surely a top priority for Liverpool’s top brass.

Klopp recently revealed that talks are ‘really good’ between the club and Salah despite no resolution just yet.

“We are in really good conversations,” Klopp told Sky Sports. “I want it to happen, but when? I couldn’t care less.”

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Donny van de Beek wants to leave Manchester United in January unless his playing situation changes, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Signed for £40million in 2020, the Dutchman has been a peripheral figure at Old Trafford with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seemingly unconvinced by his ability.

Van de Beek’s transfer to United has proved to be a disaster He has featured in just 16 minutes of Premier League action this season – a remarkably low tally given there have been 11 matches so far this campaign – and has also been dropped from the Netherlands’ national team squad in light of his lack of action.

He was spotted throwing his chewing gum to the ground in the stands in anger during a Champions League victory over Villarreal, and what’s more frustrating for the player is that a loan move to Everton last summer was blocked by the club.

Unsurprisingly, reports have suggested he will force through his exit in January if he continues to be a bit-part player and the Toffees, Newcastle and Barcelona have all been linked with a swoop at the turn of the year.

Trusted transfer journalist Romano has now provided an update on the future of the 24-year-old.

Many have questioned why United bought Van de Beek in the first place Speaking on RIo Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five podcast, Romano said: “The situation is still the same and let’s see if something changes on the pitch in the coming weeks, but at the moment his plan is to leave.

“He loves Man United but he’s going to leave if the situation continues because he wants to play.

Asked which clubs are interested, Romando added: “Many clubs.

“It’s true that Everton wanted him and they are still interested, let’s see if Newcastle are interested but I know they want a creative midfielder.

Van de Beek’s career has stagnated at Man United “Also Spanish clubs. There is interest from Spain but it’s not Real Madrid, so let’s see.”

According to Voetball International, the former Ajax midfielder has appointed a new agent, Ali Dursun, to help him find a new club and kickstart his career.

Dursun’s clients include Barcelona stars Martin Braithwaite and Frankie de Jong, who also played with Van de Beek during their time in Amsterdam.

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