Gossip: Liverpool’s Sane custard pie; Nolito, Enrique

Matthew Briggs
Leroy Sane: Snubbed Liverpool

Liverpool have been snubbed by Schalke starlet Leroy Sane, Arsenal are after a “goal-machine” and West Brom are amazingly tracking a player they nearly signed in the summer…

 

LIVERPOOL HANDED SANE CUSTARD PIE
Schalke have confirmed that Liverpool were keen on signing 19-year-old Leroy Sane.

German publication Bild has quotes attributed to Schalke director of sport Horst Heldt, who says Liverpool submitted a lucrative offer for Sane during the transfer window.

“There was one or more prestigious club that contacted us about Sane. Liverpool was ready to pay money for him.

“These offers didn’t at all interest us or the player. I am really not concerned about losing the player.

“Two years ago, Ajax made an offer as well.”

Liverpool are believed to have offered around £11million for the winger, but Brendan Rodgers received the proverbial custard pie with neither the club nor the player interested in the move.

 

WEST BROM CHECK ON ENRIQUE…AND
West Brom scouts checked on Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique this week, according to the Daily Mail.

It’s not surprising Albion are keeping tabs on the 29-year-old full-back because he almost signed for them in the transfer window, but the move fell through reportedly because of the Spaniard’s high wages.

The former Newcastle man is out of contract next summer and West Brom are mulling over whether to wait until then to sign the player or move in the January window.

Enrique, who has been omitted from Brendan Rodgers’ Europa League squad, has been included in Liverpool’s Premier League squad but he is well down the pecking order and turned out for the Under-21s this week.

Enrique has also been heavily criticised by fans on social media for posting pictures of himself, but he was forced to apologise – how dare he enjoy life after being dropped.

Enrique said: “I thought it was good to share with the fans pictures but I think they have been killing me for that.

“Ok, chao (sic) Instagram and Twitter. Focus on play (sic) football and show myself again.”

 

ARSENAL LINKED WITH ‘GOAL-MACHINE’
Arsene Wenger will sign Celta Vigo “goal-machine” Nolito in the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

‘Arsenal to pip Liverpool and Barcelona to £13.3m goal-machine’, reads the Daily Express’ headline.

According to Fichajes, the Gunners will match the attacker’s £13.3million buy-out clause and sign the 28-year-old in January.

Firstly, we’re not sure 99 goals in 334 games constitutes “goal-machine” status and this is Arsenal we’re talking about here. Arsene Wenger failed to make an outfield signing in the summer window and with Danny Welbeck expected back in action early next year then the move for Nolito looks very unlikely.

And we haven’t even mentioned the Express’ blatant click-baiting yet. Are Liverpool (click) and Barcelona (click) really interested?

 

AND THE REST
Everton are giving a trial to Brazilian right-back Felipe Mattioni. The 26-year-old played for the club’s U21 side in their 3-1 win over Norwich City at Southport on Tuesday night…Wales want the future of manager Chris Coleman sorted out early in the new year…Chris Ramsey has been warned he is skating on thin ice at QPR…Aston Villa midfielder Joe Cole has held talks with manager Tim Sherwood over arranging a loan move to the Championship…Walter Mazzarri’s agent has revealed the former Inter Milan coach is learning English ahead of a possible move to the Premier League…Arsenal and Liverpool transfer target Martin Montoya is not looking for a quick escape from Inter Milan, according to his agent.