football
Liverpool transfer news LIVE – Harvey Elliott interest, Omar Marmoush stance, Nico Williams update
The latest Liverpool transfer news including updates on Victor Osimhen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Joshua Kimmich and more.
Hello, and welcome to today’s Liverpool transfer live blog from the Liverpool ECHO. The Reds recorded just their second loss of the season in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final tie with Tottenham Hotspur last night.
Approaching four months on from being beaten by Nottingham Forest at Anfield, Arne Slot’s side stalled in north London after being downed by a late Lucas Bergvall goal ten minutes after Dominic Solanke had a strike disallowed for offside. Will that result hasten any winter transfer window business?
There are the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the latter of whom only came on as a substitute on the hour mark after Slot started Conor Bradley.
Andy Robertson also did not start, with Kostas Tsimikas deputising. The team’s long-time left-back is coming under increasing pressure from the Greece international and the Reds are credited with an interest in several potentially replacements, from Milos Kerkez to Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Neymar transfer could open Salah door amid Liverpool contract saga
Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have reportedly identified Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as a potential replacement for Neymar. Both players are out of contract at their respective clubs at the end of the season.
Salah has admitted that there is ‘no progress’ on a new deal with Liverpool. As he enters the final six months of his current deal, he is able to talk to oversea clubs about a possible summer move.
It is reported that no talks have taken place between Al Hilal and Neymar over a new contract with the Brazilian expected to leave at the end of the season. Inter Miami and Santos have been named as possible destinations.
Harvey Elliott wanted as possibility of Reds exit ‘increasing’
Brighton and Hove Albion and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly keeping tabs on Harvey Elliott.
Sky Sports claims several Bundesliga and Premier League clubs are alert the the midfielder potentially becoming available over upcoming transfer windows due to a lack of playing time under Arne Slot. It is said the possibility of the player leaving Liverpool is increasing.
Premier League interest in Kvaratskhelia revealed amid PSG move
Premier League clubs are reportedly closely monitoring Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s future.
La Gazzetta dello Sport Georgia names Newcastle United as the most active English club interested in the Napoli winger, but links with Liverpool emerged during the summer. The outlet claims a move during the winter transfer window could happen because Kvaratskhelia has yet to sign a contract extension despite talks opening around this time last year.
There is said to be a significant difference between Napoli’s offer and the player’s demands. PSG, however, appears best positioned to sign Kvaratskhelia after coming close to doing so during the summer transfer window.
Liverpool learn Osimhen transfer clause amid Chelsea and Arsenal claim
Victor Osimhen continues to be one of the most sought-after strikers in world football – and Liverpool are reportedly the latest club linked with a move. Napoli have made it publicly clear his time at the club would come to an end in the summer.
Prior to his move to Galatasaray on loan last summer, a number of clubs including Chelsea tried to complete a swoop but ultimately fell short. Before he joined the Super Lig side, Napoli had reduced his release clause to approximately £63million and a rare break clause had been created.
Marmoush stance clear as sporting director provides new update
Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kroesche has clarified that the club does not want to sell any players during the winter transfer window, including Omar Marmoush.
German outlet hessenschau suggests the Egypt international is set to stay at least until the summer despite reported interest from Manchester City and links to Liverpool this month. Kroesche told them:
There is still no inquiry, no email, no offer. Our intention is to keep the squad together.”
It is claimed someting “absolutely crazy” would have to happen for Marmoush to leave mid-season. A decision is also said to have not been made yet about the player leaving at all this year.
Kvaratskhelia contact revealed amid huge Napoli contract claim
Paris Saint-Germain are reputedly in contact with Napoli regarding reported Liverpool transfer target Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Fabrizio Romano claims the Parisian club are increasingly trying to sign the player during this transfer window. PSG are apparently willing to include players, namely Milan Skriniar, in addition to a transfer fee.
Why FSG won’t entertain Elon Musk
This week saw the world’s richest man linked with buying Liverpool Football Club.
The father of Elon Musk took to the UK airwaves to tell people of his son’s desire to own the Reds.
Williams ‘thoughts’ on Liverpool move
Liverpool have been tentatively linked with a potential swoop for Atheltic Bilbao star Nico Williams.
The Athletic says the club were looking at a deal for him last summer amid his heavy links with Barcelona. It’s unclear what stance the Reds currently have on the Euro 2024 winner.
It is claimed, though, that Williams is not unsettled in Bilbao and is willing to see the season through at his Basque employers.
Reports elsewhere suggest that Williams could look at a summer move to the Premier League if preferred-choice Barcelona’s financial struggles continue and thus be unable to stump up the required money.
Osimhen latest
A speculative report from Anfield Watch claims Liverpool are lining up Victor Osimhen to replace Darwin Nunez.
Nunez has been linked with Saudi Arabia in recent days as his inconsistent form continues Arne Slot. A number of European outifts are also said to be tracking the striker.
The report moots the Liverpool hierarchy are admirers of Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray after a develeoping a rift with parent club Napoli. He is expected to leave the Italian club this summer.
Osimhen – contracted to Napoli until 2026 – has scored 13 times in 16 matches since his switch to Turkey. Two of those came against Tottenham in the Europa League in November.
Madrid star speaks out on Alexander-Arnold links
Real Madrid star Lucas Vazquez has refused to be drawn into transfer talk reagrding Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Vazquez, though originally a winger, has been filling in at right-back with Dani Carvajal out for the rest of the season with injury.
Asked about Alexander-Arnold potentially taking up the right-back slot ahead of Real’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca, Vazquez said:
“You’re asking about a player who isn’t at Madrid and that’s something I can’t answer.”
Midfielder ‘targeted’ by EFL clubs
Hull City and Sheffield United are said to be keen on Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton.
Morton, 22, has only played three senior Reds games this season which have all come in the League Cup. He did not feature in last night’s defeat to Tottenham.
Furthermore, he has not been included in the last four Premier League matchday squads. Morton played 41 times for Hull while on loan last season and impressed.
The Mirror claims the player’s entourage are waiting for a green light from Arne Slot for a mid-season loan move this month.
Alexander-Arnold ‘monitored’ by Bayern
Meanwhile, Bayern could look to challenge Real Madrid for the signature of Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer, should he not pen a renewal.
If the defender does decide to leave Liverpool, it is thought that it will be with the intention of joining Real, meaning other clubs would have a very tough time in trying to lure him elsewhere.
German outlet Kicker suggests Bayern will nevertheless track the situation, although are aware that they would be on the back foot in any chase.
Kompany stance on Kimmich
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has set his stall out in regards to his hopes over Kimmich.
Recently speaking about his contract saga last week, the former Manchester City captain said: “Joshua has played every minute thus far, so the answer is easy. He has shown in every game that he is important to us.”
It has been quite the turnaround for Kimmich, who Bayern were ready to sell last summer before the player put his foot down and refused to budge.
What has Kimmich said about his future?
Speaking last month, Kimmich outlined that he was eager to reach a resolution to his situation over the coming weeks.
The Germany international has been exclusively played as a defnesive midfielder this season, starting every single one of Bayern’s matches. He’s even taken the captain’s armband twice.
Kimmich told ZDF in December:
“I will not wait until summer. I will sit down in winter and then try to see the bigger picture. In January, I will make the right decision.”
Kimmich ‘considered’
German publication BILD suggests that Liverpool are looking at Joshua Kimmich as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, should he leave for Real Madrid.
Kimmich has just six months left on his Bayern Munich contract, with it expected that the 29-year-old will leave the Allianz Arena this summer.
Talks over new terms are ongoing but a breakthrough has not yet been reached..
New Diaz contract ‘hits buffers’
Reports in Spain claim negotiations regarding a new contract for Luis Diaz have stalled, with the Colombian rejecting the offer of fresh terms.
These claims from Mundo Deportivo should be taken with caution, though. Spanish outlets suggested Diaz was looking for a move to Barcelona over the summer, despite the winger stating he was happy at Liverpool.
Furthermore, Diaz does not see his current contract expire until 2027, and with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all seeing their deals expire in June, it is unlikely the Reds would be prioritising a deal for Diaz right now.
Welcome Reds fans.
Arne Slot recorded only the second loss of his tenure so far in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham last night.
Liverpool looked rather slumbersome – do they need to inject a bit of freshness into the squad via a new signing?
Stick with us as we deliver all the latest transfer news.
Ivan Toney has voiced his anger after finding his car broken into during his time in London. The England international, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, is enjoying his summer break in the UK.
His visit took a turn for the worse when he discovered his black car with both its front and rear windows shattered. Toney took to Instagram to post a photo of the damage, captioning it: “This is why I hate London.”
The incident occurred while Toney was in the city for the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, where he was seen with fellow footballers Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho. It remains unclear if any belongings were stolen from the vehicle, or where exactly in London the break-in took place. Crime continues to be a pressing concern in various boroughs, with over 950,000 crimes reported in the capital last year. Former Metropolitan Police officers have criticized the effectiveness of law enforcement, suggesting that criminals act without fear of repercussions.
Toney’s experience reflects a wider issue, as phone thefts and gang-related youth crime are also rising across the city. Public transport hasn’t been immune either, with over 31,000 offences recorded on London’s network between January and August last year.
The 28-year-old forward made a £40 million move to Al-Ahli from Brentford last year, rapidly making an impact by scoring 30 goals in his debut season. Despite the recent car incident, it’s still uncertain if Toney will be called up for England’s upcoming matches. He was part of the squad for the June fixtures against Andorra and Senegal but had limited playing time, mostly sitting on the bench during the 1-0 victory over Andorra and only briefly playing in the 3-1 loss to Senegal.
England will face Andorra again at Wembley in September, followed by matches against Serbia, Wales, and Latvia in the following months. Whether Toney features in the lineup remains to be seen.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the call-up of University of Connecticut forward Chioma Okafor to participate in the Super Falcons’ training camp in Lisbon ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as reported by www.aclsports.com.
Okafor has officially decided to represent Nigeria internationally, putting to rest any doubts about her dual nationality. With a Nigerian father and a Malawian mother, the 20-year-old ultimately chose the Super Falcons after discussions with both football associations. The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) confirmed her choice and extended their best wishes for her international career.
Renowned for her speed and scoring skills, Okafor plays collegiate football in the United States. Her inclusion is anticipated to enhance Nigeria’s offensive line, as the nine-time African champions aim to regain their continental title.
The Super Falcons are set to commence their training camp in Lisbon soon, with a friendly match against Portugal lined up, followed by another game against Ghana’s Black Queens in Morocco. Okafor’s selection heralds an exciting new phase in her career, with a potential debut on one of Africa’s most significant football platforms.
SOURCE: aclsports.com
Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, expressed on Tuesday that the absence from Champions League football might actually benefit the club as he works on reviving the storied team. Speaking to the press in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Amorim reflected on United’s disappointing season, where they finished 15th in the Premier League, marking their worst performance since 1974.
The team missed out not only on a prestigious Champions League spot but also the financial rewards that come with it after their defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final last week.
“I believe that not being in the Champions League could be an advantage for us to enhance our performance, to prepare for matches better, and to establish the core group we need for the future,” said Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag during the season but struggled to turn things around.
“It’s beneficial for us to utilize the absence of European games,” he added, lightening the mood when his phone alarm went off during the press conference ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against a Southeast Asian XI.
Given the financial constraints in acquiring players for his desired formation, Amorim faces a significant challenge in returning United to the upper echelons of football next season. “Right now, our goal is to win the first game. We have a lot of work ahead this summer to prepare the team,” he noted.
“When you’re Manchester United, there’s an expectation to be at the top. However, we need to grasp the current context,” he said. He emphasized the importance of focusing on immediate goals: “I don’t want the team to think big; let’s just aim for winning the first game and then take it from there.”
Amorim hinted that he might provide opportunities for fringe players during their upcoming friendly match. The club hopes that their friendly matches in Malaysia and a game against Hong Kong on Friday will generate necessary revenue, with reports indicating that the trip could bring in approximately $10 million (£7.8 million) for the club.
Midfielder Mason Mount expressed his excitement upon arriving in the humid Kuala Lumpur after a quick departure following a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. He noted that fans greeted the team at the airport, ready to take pictures and welcome them to the country. “We got off the plane, and there were hundreds of people waiting for us. We’re thrilled to be here and looking forward to the game tomorrow,” he shared.
Kuala Lumpur is expecting highs of 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit) this week, with thunderstorms forecasted on game day at the 84,000-capacity Bukit Jalil national stadium.
AFP
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