Transfer gossip: Liverpool ‘turn gaze’ to €165m duo; Man Utd, Arsenal in ‘final talks’ for Joao Felix
Merry Boxing Day everyone! In today’s #gossip column, Liverpool eye two midfielders while Arsenal and Man Utd enter the ‘final battle’ for Joao Felix…
LIVERPOOL ‘TURN GAZE’ TO WORLD CUP PAIR
On Christmas Eve, it was reported that Man City have beat Liverpool and Real Madrid to sign Jude Bellingham.
But now Spanish outlet AS are reporting that the midfielder is actually ‘closer to Real Madrid’.
Bellingham would ‘prefer to play for Madrid’ so Liverpool have apparently given up and are already looking elsewhere.
Their ‘gaze’ is said to have diverted to Enzo Fernandez and Sofyan Amrabat. Both players have emerged as potential targets following their superb World Cup form.
AS note that Fernandez is under contract until 2027 and Benfica are only willing to let him go if a club activates his €120m release clause.
A deal for Amrabat is ‘cheaper’ and it will be easier to pull off as ‘it is time for Fiorentina to sell’ with his contract up in 2024. It has been claimed that the centre-midfielder is valued at €45m.
MAN UTD AND ARSENAL IN ‘FINAL BATTLE’
Felix is another who has headed home from the World Cup smelling of roses.
He has found life at Atletico Madrid difficult this term amid his ongoing conflict with Diego Simeone. But he put in a couple of stunning performances in Qatar and now he could be heading to the Premier League.
Aston Villa were initially plotting an ambitious move for the forward but they now appear to have fallen by the wayside.
A move to Ligue 1 giants PSG felt like the natural next step for Felix given their financial might, but according to Le10Sport, they are ‘not interested’.
This leaves Felix ‘at the heart of a final battle between Manchester United and Arsenal’.
PSG are ‘well stocked’ up front with Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar to choose from. But Man Utd need a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo and Arsenal are looking to strengthen in attack with Gabriel Jesus out of action.
A move to England is now ‘very likely’ as Felix’s agent – Jorge Mendes – has started ‘final talks’ with Man Utd and Arsenal.
CHELSEA ‘REGISTER INTEREST’ IN BARCA TARGET
The Blues have butted heads with Barcelona a fair bit over the past few months. The Spanish outfit beat them to sign Raphinha and Jules Kounde in the summer.
Chelsea’s new regime are looking to build for the future with their signings and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi (23) is their latest target.
The defensive midfielder could be seen as a long-term replacement for N’Golo Kante, who looks likely to leave for free in 2023.
The Premier League side have begun negotiations to sign Zubimendi, according to Simon Phillips.
The journalist has told GiveMeSport that Chelsea have ‘official interest’ in him.
Barcelona are hoping to mess up Chelsea’s plans though as their head coach Xavi apparently ‘really likes’ the young midfielder.
