Paper Talk: Prem duo chase Gotze; Liverpool want Cologne pair
Liverpool and Manchester United will battle it out with Real Madrid and Juventus for Mario Gotze, while Jurgen Klopp has targeted a Cologne duo to strengthen his Anfield squad.
LIVERPOOL, UNITED IN FOUR-WAY BATTLE FOR GOTZE
According to reports in Germany, Manchester United and Liverpool will compete for Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder Mario Gotze this summer.
The 23-year-old will be sold to the highest bidder in the summer with Bayern not keen on retaining the attacking mifielder.
German outlet TZ reports that Bayern are busy preparing new contracts for their top stars but Gotze is not being considered and incoming boss Carlo Ancelotti is not keen on the injury-prone star.
After scoring the winner for Germany in the World Cup final in 2014, but his club career has failed to live up to that hype and he has played just 11 times for Bayern this season, scoring four times.
Juventus and Real Madrid are also interested in Gotze, who will cost £31million, according to the Daily Star.
LIVERPOOL TRACK COLOGNE PAIR
German daily Bild claims Liverpool are interested in signing Cologne keeper Timo Horn and defender Jonas Hector.
Horn has been mentioned as a target for Jurgen Klopp before and it was reported in Novemeber that the 22-year-old had a £6million buyout clause in his contract with the Bundesliga club.
The 6ft 4in keeper has made 27 appearances for Cologne this term and produced six cleansheets with the club languishing in 12th place.
Both Arsenal and Manchester United are also tracking the player, who helped Cologne to promotion in 2013/14 with 16 cleansheets in 32 league games in 2013/14, while conceding just 18 goals.
Is Klopp, who recently handed Simon Mignolet a new five-year deal, thinking of a new No. 1?
Meanwhile, Hector has also been named as a target for Klopp.
In February there were reports suggesting the 25-year-old was being watched by Liverpool as a replacement for Alberto Moreno.
The Germany international, who can also play in midfield, is believed to be rated in the £10million bracket and Bild claims Liverpool will step up their interest in the player at the end of the season.
AND THE REST
Barcelona want to sign Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez, 25, but say it will be difficult to lure him away from City this summer. (Mundo Deportivo)
However, the Spanish champions have lost interest in Everton defender John Stones over doubts that the 21-year-old England international could adapt to La Liga. (Mirror)
West Ham are ready to move for Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony, 27, and Liverpool forward Christian Benteke, 25, if they miss out on their top target, Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi, 22. (Mirror)
AC Milan legend Gennaro Gattuso, who is now boss of Pisa, says he would “walk to Manchester” if he were offered the Old Trafford job. (Sun)
Southampton fear Sadio Mane’s drop in form will reduce his transfer value this summer. The 23-year-old had been valued at £30m after interesting Manchester United and Chelsea. (Star)
West Brom have told striker Saido Berahino, 22, that he can leave in the summer, with Tottenham leading the chase. (Sun)
The Baggies have stepped up their pursuit of Gent striker Laurent Depoitre by inviting the 27-year-old’s agent to watch a match at The Hawthorns. (Daily Mail)
Aston Villa are set to lose 20-year-old forward Jack Grealish in the summer. (Telegraph)
Villa’s Jordan Veretout, 23, fellow midfielder Idrissa Gana, 26, and striker Jordan Ayew, 24 could all leave in the summer. (Birmingham Mail)
Manchester City have stepped up their attempt to make 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings – and will also turn their sights on Schalke forward Leroy Sane, 19. (Guardian)
Newcastle are eyeing a summer move for Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti, 22. (TalkSPORT)
Midfielder Leroy Fer hopes the good start to his loan move to Swansea from QPR will help land him a permanent move this summer. (Express)
Tottenham could make a summer move for Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi, 21, who they have been keen on for several years. (Calciomercato)