Paper Talk: Man Utd in defender race; Reds target Manolas

Rob McCarthy

Nelson Semedo: Reportedly being tracked by Man United

Liverpool have targeted a move for a £35million-rated Roma central defender, while Manchester United face a race to sign a Benfica right-back, according to Sunday’s newspapers.
 

LIVERPOOL ON TRAIL OF ROMA STAR MANOLAS

Liverpool are hot on the trail of £35million-rated Roma centre-back Kostas Manolas, according to reports.

Jurgen Klopp sent scouts to check on the Greek defender in the Europa League clash against Lyon on Thursday and they were left impressed, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.

The 25-year-old has been attracting plenty of Premier League interest, with Arsenal reportedly having a £35m bid turned down last summer, while Manchester United are also said to be in the running for the commanding defender.

Arsenal’s bid for Manolas was believed to be rejected because there was still a 50 per cent sell-on clause in force guaranteeing the defender’s former side, Olympiacos, half of any fee Roma took for the player.

That clause has now expired, however, and Liverpool are said to be the front-runners for the Greek star.

MAN UNITED FACING COMPETITION FOR SEMEDO

Manchester United are facing competition from Juventus and AC Milan in the race to sign Benfica right-back Nelson Semedo

The 23-year-old is believed to have a clause in place allowing him to leave the Portuguese giants if an offer of the more than £20million comes in, according to OJogo.

Jose Mourinho is looking to revamp his defence this summer and wants to sign a natural right-back, rather than continue playing with a converted one in Antonio Valencia.

However, the United chief now has competition from Serie A giants Juve and Milan for the defender, who has also been linked with Bayern Munich in the past.

AND THE REST

Arsenal will join the chase for Ross Barkley if the Everton star is put up for sale this summer (Sunday Mirror)

Romelu Lukaku will have the final say on his future, under a deal he struck with Everton last summer (Sunday Mirror)

Chelsea are preparing a £40m double swoop for Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva, two of the Monaco stars who helped knock Man City out of the Champions League (Sunday Mirror)

Harry Kane will be England’s captain for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia – and beyond (Sunday Mirror)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is trying to land Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele (Sunday Mirror)

Steven Gerrard will be ready to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss after coming through the Kop kindergarten, says Reds legend Ian Rush (Sunday Mirror)

Tottenham are waiting to hear whether Real Madrid are willing to sell midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer (Sunday Mirror)

Stoke, Crystal Palace and Newcastle are all interested in ending Luke Shaw’s Manchester United woes (Daily Star on Sunday)

Antoine Griezmann says his future is in Atletico Madrid’s hands as Manchester United continue to be linked with the frontman (Daily Star on Sunday)

Manchester City have again made Leonardo Bonucci a £50m target to strengthen their defence, replacing Vincent Kompany (Daily Star on Sunday)

Mino Raiola has expressed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s fondness for Napoli but has also ruled out a potential move from Manchester United to the Serie A side (The Sun on Sunday)

Manchester United and Arsenal both sent scouts to watch Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko in action this week (The Sun on Sunday)

Harry Redknapp is interested in making his return to management as he eyes up the vacant role at Middlesbrough (The Sun on Sunday)

Manchester City have been in negotiations with Benfica over the Portuguese club’s 23-year-old goalkeeper Ederson (Record)

Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli has denied being approached over taking the Barcelona job next season (AS)

Arsene Wenger is set to infuriate thousands of Arsenal fans by signing a new one-year contract (Sunday Express)

Chelsea are ready to pounce if Everton fail to convince striker Romelu Lukaku to sign a new contract at Goodison Park (Mail on Sunday)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is mulling over a £30m bid for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Mail on Sunday)