Transfer gossip: Liverpool to offer surprise name in part-ex for AC Milan star as Salah eyes exit

Ian Watson
Rafael Leao in action for AC Milan.

There is more talk of Mo Salah leaving Liverpool, who could be willing to chuck another big name in a deal to bring AC Milan striker Rafael Leao to Anfield…

 

LIVERPOOL TO OFFER BIG NAME IN SWAP FOR MILAN STAR
There is more talk on Monday morning that Liverpool and Mo Salah could part ways in the summer. On Sunday, it was suggested that Liverpool are keen to cash in on the Egyptian with just the 175 goals for the club…

Now it is claimed by Fichajes that Salah would be happy to go, especially if there is no Champions League football to stick around for next season. Which seems unlikely if Liverpool continue in the kind of form that saw them stink out Selhurst Park on Saturday night.

He might want to look at his own finishing as a reason.

It was suggested that PSG could offer Salah an escape route from Anfield – even if The Times says they are looking to cut their wage bill by almost a third – but Calciomercato reckons the Parisians will instead go up against Liverpool in the battle to sign Rafael Leao.

Leao is resisting AC Milan’s efforts to pin him down to a renewal on his contract which is currently scheduled to expire next year. Milan are almost certain to sell rather than let the Portugal forward enter the final 12 months of his deal but this particular report says Liverpool would heighten the temptation by throwing Luis Diaz in as part of the deal. Which seems…unlikely.

 

ARSENAL TO GO AGAIN FOR PAQUETA
As if taking Declan Rice off West Ham wasn’t bad enough, now it is claimed that Arsenal are also sniffing around another Hammers talisman.

According to Fichajes, the Gunners are considering a summer move for Lucas Paqueta. Arsenal were heavily linked with the Brazilian when he was looking to leave Lyon at the end of last season, with Edu saying this about the midfielder: “I’m a guy who likes him a lot. I’ve always liked him since my time with Brazil’s national team.”

Arsenal didn’t like him enough to pay £34million when they had the chance and they will have to cough up almost double that amount in the summer, especially if they want to beat Newcastle to the 25-year-old, who cost West Ham around £50million when he became their record signing.

 

GUNNERS, UNITED VIE FOR VEIGA
Reports of Arsenal’s interest in Gabri Veiga seem more credible than any likelihood they will renew their interest in Paqueta. But they aren’t the only club keen on the Celta Vigo midfielder.

AS suggests Manchester United are also considering a move for the 20-year-old, who could fetch around £26million in the summer.

Veiga scored twice and laid on the other in Celta Vigo’s 3-0 win over Real Valladolid on Sunday, taking his tally for the season to eight goals and three assists.

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