LIVERPOOL have explored moves for a number of high-profile centre forwards over recent days as well as £150million-rated Alexander Isak.
The NEWCASTLE UNITED talisman has long been considered their No 1 target should they go for a striker but the noise out of St James’ Park has always been that the Swedish international is not for sale. Liverpool do not wish to enter into a saga but understand Isak is interested in a move to Anfield.
As Mail Sport reported last week, Isak’s situation is complicated. His motivations could determine what happens next amid the interest from Liverpool. He was disappointed that what he thought was the promise of a new contract from the previous co-owners was not honoured after they left.
Recently departed sporting director Paul Mitchell took the view he was already well paid and had four years to run. Talks ended and there has been no progress since.
Newcastle do not want to sell and are likely to offer Isak improved terms. It is not yet known if he wants to sign new deal. The club are braced for a formal Liverpool offer.
However, Liverpool have alternatively asked about ASTON VILLA’S Ollie Watkins, BRENTFORD’s Yoane Wissa, NAPOLI’S Victor Osimhen, as part of discussions involving the Italian champions’ ongoing interest in Darwin Nunez, Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike at Eintracht Frankfurt, while they are alert to REAL MADRID potentially selling Rodrygo.
Alexander Isak is Liverpool’s No 1 target but Newcastle are adamant that he is not for sale
Liverpool have also looked into signing Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa if they cannot get Isak
MANCHESTER UNITED’S Marcus Rashford was also floated but that initial conversation has not progressed so far.
Talks are ongoing with potential targets and Liverpool know they can offset some of their spending for what will be a unique window by offloading the likes of Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton. Frankfurt have already rejected Newcastle’s £70m initial proposal for Ekitike over its structure and value.
BAYERN MUNICH will test Liverpool’s resolve to keep Luis Diaz with an improved offer after the Germans’ £58.5m bid was rejected out of hand on Tuesday. But Liverpool are adamant they will not sell Diaz despite Munich interest and a recent phone call from BARCELONA.
ARSENAL wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are other options under consideration by Bayern, as well as Rodrygo at Madrid.
Liverpool are not looking to sell Ibrahima Konate this window. The centre back is wanted by Real Madrid but the Spaniards wish to wait to see if he will be out of contract next summer. Liverpool could yet reach an agreement on a new deal with the France international before then.
Arsenal join race for EFL wonderkid
Arsenal have checked on SALFORD CITY striker Will Wright last week as they consider entering Liverpool and MANCHESTER CITY the bidding for the 17-year-old striker.
The teenager scored in Salford’s friendly at York City, his fourth goal in a week, before the game was abandoned after a Salford player was allegedly racially abused. Arsenal scouts ran the rule over Wright, but Liverpool remain in pole position, having already lodged an offer of around £100,000 with a further £200,000 in add-ons.
The Gunners are continuing discussions for SPORTING LISBON striker Viktor Gyokeres with his agents in London on Tuesday. VALENCIA defender Cristhian Mosquera arrived in London on Tuesday also ahead of his medical while Noni Madueke’s move from CHELSEA will also be confirmed after his medical on Monday.
Cristhian Mosquera has arrived in London for his medical ahead of a move to Arsenal from Valencia
Arsenal are confident of agreeing a new contract with Ethan Nwaneri, their 18-year-old superstar who has just a year remainign on his deal. They are also discussing how they can prise Eberechi Eze away from CRYSTAL PALACE but are mindful of the conditions of his £68m release clause. TOTTENHAM hold an interest in Palace’s Adam Wharton but that is not moving as it stands.
Forest face German opposition for McAtee
Man City midfielder James McAtee is visiting BORUSSIA DORTMUND as well as EINTRACHT FRANKFURT ahead of his proposed move in the coming days. Nottingham Forest remain poised to make an offer but are reluctant to go above £25m plus add-ons for the England Under 21s captain.
Forest have yet to make an official complaint over Tottenham’s approach for Morgan Gibbs-White although it is still being considered.
The England international has returned to training at Forest but is still looking to join Tottenham this summer while Wolves are anticipating their cut as part of the sell-on clause.
Forest want McAtee to bolster their squad regardless of whether Gibbs-White goes but the interest from the Bundesliga in the 22-year-old is strong.
Everton in for Villa’s Ramsey
EVERTON have joined Forest in sounding out ASTON VILLA over midfielder Jacob Ramsey.
However, the 24-year-old is ambitious to make another step up should he be forced to leave Villa this summer amid their ongoing Profit and Sustainability concerns. So he is happy to bide his time for the right move.
Everton have also been linked with JUVENTUS midfielder Douglas Luiz who has interest from the likes of Forest and other Premier League sides, but David Moyes is not looking to pursue a deal for the 27-year-old at this stage.
Jacob Ramsey is attracting interest from Everton and Nottingham Forest this summer
Everton completed the signing of goalkeeper Mark Travers from BOURNEMOUTH on a four-year contract for around £4m plus add-ons on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international has still to train with his new teammates but speaking to evertontv after putting pen to paper, Travers said: ‘Coming in, you can feel how big this club is and the history that comes with it. You really feel that with the fanbase, the new stadium now as well and the direction the club is going in.’
On his third signing of the window, following the arrivals of midfielder Charly Alcaraz and striker Thierno Barry, manager David Moyes said: ‘With Asmir and Joao leaving the Club over the summer, we were looking for a goalkeeper with a level of experience to support Jordan. We are continuing to work on bringing in more players ahead of the start of the season.’
Full-back Roman Dixon is in talks to join STOCKPORT COUNTY on loan this week while Everton are finalising deals for 16-year-old centre backs Reuben Gokah of Charlton and Hearts’ John Dodds for their academy.
Villa monitoring Garnacho
ASTON VILLA are among the clubs monitoring developments with Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
The winger, who has turned down overtures from Al Nassr, wants to stay in the Premier League and is also aware of ongoing interest from Chelsea.
Garnacho is among United’s out-of-favour players who have been asked to report for training after 5pm this week, once head coach Ruben Amorim and the rest of the first-team squad have left Carrington.
Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia are not part of Amorim’s plans for the coming season and were granted extra time away from the club to settle their uncertain futures earlier this month. Sancho is an option for Juventus but is not their priority as they push for Porto winger Francisco Conceicao.
Aston Villa are among the clubs monitoring the future of Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho
United players have heard that the club still intend to sign Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez but talks have yet to go beyond an enquiry, with Botafogo’s John Victor a more affordable option to cover for Andre Onana. Sturm Graz have interest in United reserve Radek Vitek.
United still hope to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford before they fly to the USA for their pre-season tour next Tuesday.
In other news at Villa, BENFICA are closing in on £13m deal for Enzo Barrenechea and have offered a five-year deal. SHEFFIELD UNITED are pushing to sign Louie Barry on loan if Unai Emery decides he can leave next week. Defender Finley Munroe has agreed a deal to join SWINDON TOWN on loan. Villa have signed keeper Marco Bizot, 34, from French club Brest on a two-year contract.
Bournemouth set price for Tavernier
Bournemouth value winger Marcus Tavernier around £30million as interest builds in the 26-year-old from WEST HAM, Fenerbahce, Besiktas and others.
Tavernier cost Bournemouth £15m from Middlesbrough so they would want considerable return on their investment. West Ham are to confirm the signing of left wing-back El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague, but want a winger after losing Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham.
West Ham are eyeing a winger and have shown interest in Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier
Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott is among others on their list. LEICESTER CITY‘s Bilal El Khannouss is also admired but has rival interest from SUNDERLAND. MONACO are the latest club to show interest in Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle.
Around the leagues
MIDDLESBROUGH are offering around £1.5m for Blackburn Rovers right back Callum Brittain, 27. Brittain is in the last year of his contract and would be free to speak to clubs in January. Wrexham and Derby County have also expressed interest. Boro are also exploring a deal for former West Ham striker Danny Ings.
DERBY COUNTY are signing Charlotte FC striker Patrick Agyemang after paperwork was exchanged last night.
BURNLEY remain keen on NORWICH CITY striker Josh Sargent but talks are advancing with WOLFSBURG for the 25-year-old USA international. Ideally, Burnley need to sell to free up further funds. Talks are ongoing over James Trafford’s departure to Newcastle United but Burnley are waiting to see if other clubs may yet show interest.
LEICESTER CITY have signed young striker Lorenz Hutchinson to a professional contract despite interest from the likes of Forest, BRIGHTON and Newcastle. Hutchinson, who scored 12 goals in 18 games for Leicester’s Under 18s last season, and 41 goals in 29 games the year before, has given a timely boost to new manager Marti Cifuentes, who is keen to give youth a chance in his squad next term.
Leicester have tied down their young superstar striker Lorenz Hutchinson to a new deal
Former LEEDS UNITED and Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, now at Rennes, has attracted a £6m offer from Red Star Belgrade. A deal is still to be agreed for the 29-year-old Finland international, with English clubs are monitoring developments.
RANGERS are looking into signing 16-year-old CARDIFF CITY striker Jack Sykes, who has been starring for the Welsh club’s Under 18s.
ONE TO WATCH….
MONACO striker Breel Embolo is back on the radar of Premier League clubs, with the 28-year-old valued at £12m by his club.
The Swiss international’s injury record has been held against him in the past but he has just come off a season where he made 50 appearances for club and country and scored 10 goals, ending with consecutive strikes in Switzerland’s two friendly international victories over Mexico and USA last month. Besiktas and AC Milan have asked in recent weeks but English clubs are also attentive.
