Liverpool have drawn up a two-man shortlist to replace Dejan Lovren, while Man Utd want a €80m man to partner Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in a dream three-man midfield, according to Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk.
KLOPP HAVE SHORTLIST OF TWO TO REPLACE DEJAN LOVREN
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has handed the club a shortlist of just two names to replace Dejan Lovren this summer, claim reports.
Croatia defender Lovren secured a £10.9m move to Zenit St Petersburg on Monday after six years at Anfield. He left with his manager’s best wishes and fond memories.
In doing so, however, Klopp will be looking to sign a replacement and has now just two contenders in mind to bring in.
As per reports on Monday, the first of those men is Schalke defender Ozan Kabak.
Kabak, previously linked with Manchester United and Manchester City, joined Schalke in a €15m deal last summer.
However, after catching the eye, he is now rated at nearer €35m.
Two favours now also stand in Liverpool’s favour. Firstly, the Royal Blues are managed by Klopp’s great mate David Wagner. Bild believes Klopp could persuade Wagner to look favourably on an approach from the Reds.
Second, Bild on Tuesday claims Schalke must sell one star this summer to help balance the books. With Liverpool chasing Kabak, the sale could easily be agreed were Liverpool to meet their asking price.
Klopp, however, may only move for Kabak if he can’t land his No 1 target – Sevilla’s Diego Carlos.
Carlos has emerged as one of the top centre-backs in Europe in his debut season with Sevilla, in which he only missed three LaLiga games.
The 27-year-old cost €15m last summer and has a release clause of €75m (£67.6m) release clause.
LIVERPOOL HAVE THINKING TO DO
With Goal last week claiming an approach from Liverpool has arrived, it’s reported Sevilla will only sell if his exit clause is met.
That will leave Liverpool with much thinking to do: either pay €75m for Carlos, or meet the €35m required for Kabak.
Another complication for Liverpool comes in the shape of Real Madrid. ESPN claims they are keen on Carlos’ defensive partner, Jules Kounde. Rated at €35m, Sevilla would only sanction the sale of one of their defenders, as opposed both.
Liverpool had previously been linked with Ben White, but the Leeds loanee is not said to be off immediate interest.
MAN UTD BACK IN FOR MILINKOVIC-SAVIC
Manchester United will reignite their interest in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, despite Lazio’s €80m asking price. The Serb is seen as a dream partner for Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in a three-man central midfield. (Foot Mercato)
Norway assistant coach Per Joar Hansen believes Man Utd could yet sign Joshua King in the summer. The Bournemouth man was the subject of a failed move to Old Trafford in January. (Dagbladet)
Arsenal will hold further talks with Sporting Libson officials on Tuesday with a deal for starlet Joelson on the agenda. (A Bola)
Philippe Coutinho has asked Arsenal for more time to make a decision about his future, with Leicester City and Tottenham also keen. (Sport)
Marcelo Bielsa is ready to sign a new deal with Leeds if the club agrees to sign five players this summer and rejects offers for any star he deems unsellable. (Infobae)
Real Madrid want to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer. (ESPN)
Schalke must sell a star this summer to balance the books and are willing to cash in on Ozan Kabak. Liverpool have been linked with a €35m raid. (Bild)
Tottenham defender Juan Foyth has told the club he either wants to be sold, or allowed to leave on loan this summer. (TyC Sports)
Roma are struggling to find a solution to sign Chris Smalling from Manchester United. The Red Devils have stuck a €20m fee on his head, but the Italians are struggling to meet the fee. (Calciomercato)
AND MORE FROM THE EURO PAPER TALK
Zinedine Zidane wants to generate around €100m this summer by selling Real Madrid’s squad players. Borja Mayoral, Oscar Rodriguez, Mariano Diaz and Sergio Reguilon are all up for sale. (AS)
Barcelona will move for Villarreal defender Pau Torres if Manchester City reject their advances for Eric Garcia. (Mundo Deportivo)
AC Milan are set to hand Hakan Calhanoglu a four-year deal worth €3.5m a year to stay at the San Siro. (Il Giornale)
Arsenal have failed to tempt Atletico Madrid into selling Thomas Partey after making a €25m bid plus Matteo Guendouzi. (Get French Football News)
New Valencia boss Javi Gracia could make Martin Valjent his first signing at the Mestalla. He’s looking to sign the Real Mallorca defender for €2.5m. (Mundo Deportivo)
Former Wolfsburg coach Martin Schmidt says Victor Osimhen will ‘settle quickly’ at Napoli. He’s also called the Nigerian ‘a great athlete’. (Radio Kiss Kiss)
Valencia captain Dani Parejo wants to retire at the club amid claims he’s wanted by Sevilla and Atletico Madrid. (Marca)
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