Gossip: Liverpool join race for Ajax star, Martial on the move
LIVERPOOL EYE NERES
The vultures are circling around Ajax right now, and Liverpool are among them. Their prey? David Neres, apparently.
Chelsea and Arsenal are already looking to swoop for the Brazilian winger who has caught the eye during Ajax’s stunning run in the Champions League. According to The Sun, Jurgen Klopp is also hoping to move in for the kill.
Neres joined Ajax from Sao Paulo in January 2017, shortly after which Marc Overmars said: “We have just paid too much, we know that.” But the Amsterdam club could make a three-fold return on their investment, with the 22-year-old valued at around £35million, even though a similar-sized offer from Guangzhou Evergrande was rejected in January.
Klopp will also make a renewed effort to sign Marco Asensio from Real Madrid this summer after reportedly failing with a massive bid last summer.
POGBA TO FORCE A UNITED EXIT
What of Manchester United this Tuesday morning? We’ve checked and they are still a shambles…
Paul Pogba still wants to leave, with ESPN claiming the midfielder will stamp his feet and cry and cry until he gets his move, even if United refuse to do business. Which they won’t if the price is right.
The Telegraph reckons the Red Devils will wave Pogba on his way if they receive an offer of £160million, but Real Madrid are only willing to cough up around £100million. Prepare for a Pogtantrum.
Another big name who could be heading towards the door is Anthony Martial, though it is hard to imagine him being bothered either way. The dead-behind-the-eyes winger has infuriated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in training, apparently, and The Sun reckons the manager would willingly cull the France star this summer.
If the exodus takes place, who will come in? Not Matthijs De Ligt. The Daily Star quotes a source close to the Ajax defender as saying: “He has no interest in going to United. They are not the attractive proposition they once were.” Harsh but fair.
Paulo Dybala looks set to leave Juventus this summer so of course he is being linked with United. Calciomercato claims the Red Devils have opened talks with Juve over the Argentina attacker who has struggled in Serie A this season, but the Italian champions still see an opportunity to fleece Ed Woodward for around £85million.
AND THE REST
Tottenham and Everton are eyeing Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso… Gareth Bale but remains adamant he wants to stay at Real Madrid… Napoli want Newcastle forward Ayoze Perez… Arsene Wenger has rejected a second offer to take over at Fulham… Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle are all in the hunt for Ryan Fraser… Brighton still want to sign Chelsea full-back Reece James… Newcastle have also been monitoring Coventry midfielder Tom Bayliss… Chelsea goalkeeper Marcin Bulka is set to sign a pre-contract agreement with PSG.
