Gossip: Liverpool want Mane and Ruben Neves

Daniel Storey

MATIC WANTS UNITED MOVE. OBVIOUSLY
Nemanja Matic has told Antonio Conte he wants to leave Chelsea this summer and link up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, according to The Sun.

Mourinho brought the Serbian midfielder back to Stamford Bridge during his second spell with the Blues and is hoping to sign him again this summer. Despite playing a key part in 2015’s title win, Matic was one of the team’s biggest underperformers when Mourinho was sacked last year.

It was claimed the pair fell out when Matic was substituted just 27 minutes after coming off the bench in the 3-1 defeat to Southampton, but Mourinho is actually a big fan of the defensive midfielder. Matic was one of the few Chelsea players to speak out in support of the Portuguese tactician after he was fired.

Incoming Chelsea head coach Conte has held talks with a number of disillusioned stars including Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, and Matic has already told the Italian he wants out.

 

LIVERPOOL CLOSE IN ON MANE…
To The Sun now, and their exclusive claim that Liverpool want to sign Sadio Mane from Southampton. By ‘exclusive’ they presumably mean exclusive to this particular day, given that the Guardian reported Liverpool interest in Mane on May 28. Catch up guys.

The Sun also claim that Liverpool are close to agreeing a fee for the Senegal international, thought to be in the region of £25m, and even go as far as saying that Mane is ‘set to move’. Let’s just slow down a second, guys.

 

…AND ALSO WANT RUBEN NEVES
Now this is a move we can get on board with. Ruben Neves might only be 19 years old, but he’s going to be star. Portuguese newspaper Record claims that Jurgen Klopp agrees with that opinion, and would quite like to sign Porto’s midfielder this summer.

Record believe that Klopp is prepared to pay Neves’ £31m release clause in a bid to boost his midfield. Yes, Neves is better than Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen. Make it happen, Jurgen.

 

SPURS TO SIGN JANSSEN
There were reports last week that Arsenal wanted to sign Dutch striker Vincent Janssen, but it looks like Tottenham have won that particular race. In the Daily Mirror, Darren Lewis reveals that Janssen will cost Spurs £12m. Sounds like a bargain to us.

Janssen is only 21, but was the top scorer in last season’s Eredivisie. Lewis reports that Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan were all interested in signing him, but that Spurs have come out on top. A fee has been agreed and Janssen wants the move.

 

AND THE REST
Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan would consider a move to Chelsea even though his preference is to remain with the Serie A club… Tottenham hope to complete the £12m signing of 21-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker Vincent Janssen, the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie last season… Manchester United have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci… Everton will refuse to sell John Stones for the second successive summer with Manchester City’s new boss Pep Guardiola keen to sign the England defender…

PSG defender Marquinhos, 22, who has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United, says he is in talks about his future at the French champions… Leicester trio Wes Morgan, Kasper Schmeichel and Robert Huth have told striker Jamie Vardy, 29, to turn down a move to Arsenal… Aston Villa boss Roberto di Matteo wants to sign a striker and may move for Dwight Gayle if Crystal Palace make the 25-year-old available… Middlesbrough have reportedly passed on the chance to sign Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel… Tottenham are in talks to sign Palermo striker Franco Vazquez, although the £19.5m-rated player is also a target for Manchester United.