Gossip: Liverpool eye £53m centre-backs to partner Van Dijk
CENTRE PIECE
The European media seems quite obsessed with the idea of Liverpool signing a centre-half to partner Virgil van Dijk. They forget that Joe Gomez has been excellent alongside the Dutchman and would rather pretend that the likely departure of Dejan Lovren will facilitate the arrival of a guaranteed starting centre-half.
La Razon bring a few names into the frame. They say Diego Llorente ‘has several teams following his steps,’ not least Liverpool and Monaco. The Real Sociedad centre-half, for whom the Reds could bid just over £40m, is ‘a much more interesting option’ than their other targets.
They include Leandro Cabrera of relegation-threatened Espanyol, who could be available for around £8m, and Real Betis defender Zouhair Feddal. The 30-year-old Moroccan would be ‘quite affordable’ as he is in the final year of his contract. Perhaps £5m or so could do it.
For what it’s worth, La Razon attribute their claims to the Liverpool Echo, who in turn cite La Razon as the initial source. Fun.
KAI HOPES
One Liverpool target that does seem unlikely to complete a move to Anfield is Kai Havertz. Manchester United and Chelsea are also thought to be interested in the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, but Barcelona might have this race won.
Spanish outlet Sport claim he ‘is in the sights’ of the Nou Camp club and they have ‘proposed’ a player exchange deal. Emerson, who joined Betis in a complicated joint transfer with Barca in January 2019, could be used as a pawn.
Carles Alena and Marc Cucurella might also be brought into consideration, while Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele are all available, albeit less likely to make that move to Germany.
TURN OF FRASE
While no longer quite the incredibly appealing target he once was, Ryan Fraser remains excellent value for no money. United supposedly offered £15m to sign him in January so, as a free agent, he should have no end of suitors.
Tottenham are ‘serious candidates’ to sign him and the feeling of admiration is very much mutual. Fraser ‘is setting his sights on’ joining Jose Mourinho this summer.
Bournemouth still rather forlornly ‘hope he will sign up to a new extension’ but the reality is that Fraser is gone. And the ensuing ‘scramble’ will probably see penny-pinching Tottenham emerge victorious.
AND THE REST
Liverpool midfielder Pedro Chirivella, 22, has been offered a five-year deal but is yet to decide on his future, having received interest from Nantes and Rangers… Crystal Palace are planning a triple raid on Burnley for manager Sean Dyche, winger Dwight McNeil, 20, and defender James Tarkowski, 27… Manchester United will have to fend off interest from Real Madrid for defender Milan Skriniar, 25, with Inter Milan prepared to let him leave in the summer.
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