Liverpool
Premier League • England
Euro Paper Talk: Internal dispute ignites incredible Liverpool steal of top young Bundesliga striker
A family dispute is increasing the chances of Liverpool pulling off an incredible striker coup, while Arsenal are ‘willing to do anything’ including use a midfielder as bait to sign a high class Man Utd target – both in Monday’s Euro Paper Talk.
LIVERPOOL SENSE MOUKOKO OPPORTUNITY
Liverpool striker target, Youssoufa Moukoko, is refusing to pen fresh terms amid a family dispute in a move that could see him sign a pre-contract agreement with the Reds in January, per a report.
The 17-year-old is one of European football’s hottest prospects. However, while many his age are still yet to make their senior debut, Moukoko is already a firm fixture in Dortmund’s starting eleven.
Indeed, he’s already passed the 50-appearance mark in black and yellow. Despite his tender age, he’s been entrusted with leading the line at Dortmund more often than not this season.
The Cameroon-born Germany international has four league goals and three assists to his name in just 444 minutes of Bundesliga action this term.
Jurgen Klopp is believed to be a strong admirer of Moukoko, though is not alone in that regard. PSG and Real Madrid too like what they’ve seen.
Spanish outlet Sport recently hinted Liverpool hold an edge over their competitors through the Klopp connection. The German is a legend at Dortmund and his influence could prove pivotal for the Reds.
Now, a report from German publication Bild has added further fuel to the fire.
Moukoko fall out emboldens contract refusal
Moukoko’s current deal expires next summer and per Bild, Moukoko is refusing to sign an extension.
The crux of the issue is predictably, money. The 17-year-old is understood to be holding out for around €8m-per-year (approx. £135,000-a-week). A figure in that range would put him among the club’s highest earners, such as Emre Can and Mats Hummels.
Understandably, Dortmund are reluctant to pay someone so young so high of a wage. It’s claimed Dortmund’s latest offer was around half of what Moukoko seeks.
That’s not the end of the story, however, with the player’s family also involved.
Bild state Moukoko has fallen out with both of his parents as well as extended family members. The implication there is that if he signs a new deal as a minor (prior to age 18), his family who he is now on bad terms with will ‘have the opportunity to get a lot of money.’
Moukoko doesn’t want that to transpire and that stance is emboldening his refusal to pen fresh terms. Moukoko will turn 18 on November 20.
Moukoko’s father believes his son’s advisor, Patrick Williams, is being greedy with his demands. In response, Moukoko has cut off all financial support to his parents. Clearly his situation is multi-layered and will not be easy to resolve.
Liverpool could be the ultimate beneficiaries given Moukoko will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs come January 1. That’s assuming he hasn’t signed a new deal by then, of course.
In that scenario, the Reds may wind up landing one of Europe’s hottest prospects at no cost.
ARSENAL HATCH PLAN TO SNATCH MAN UTD TARGET
Arsenal are ‘willing to do anything’ to sign Man Utd target, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The box-to-box Lazio midfielder is perennially linked with a move away, and the Gunners could include Albert Sambi Lokonga as a makeweight in a deal totalling around £65m. (CalcioMercatoWeb)
Chelsea are sizing up Newcastle superstar Bruno Guimaraes who is one of six midfield targets on their radar. The others are Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Moises Caicedo, Weston McKennie and Edson Alvarez (GiveMeSport)
Man Utd and Liverpool could do battle to sign Benfica defender Antonio Silva. The 18-year-old has a €100m (£87m) release clause. (O Jogo)
Chelsea are continuing to work on the addition of RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman has already passed a secret medical and the Blues are described as being “on it”. His release clause is worth around £52m. (Fabrizio Romano)
Cristiano Ronaldo will prioritise a move within Europe if he does leave Manchester United in January. There is interest from MLS and Saudi Arabia, though the Portuguese wants to continue his Champions League legacy. (Fabrizio Romano)
“VERY GOOD CHANCE” ARSENAL TARGET MOVES
There is a “very good chance” Arsenal target Evan Ndicka leaves Frankfurt as a free agent next summer. (Fabrizio Romano & Evening Standard)
Crystal Palace want to strengthen their right side and are mulling a move for Middlesbrough’s Isaiah Jones. The 23-year-old can play virtually anywhere on the right flank. (The Sun)
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will be in the conversation if Man Utd and Chelsea target, Adrien Rabiot, leaves Juventus. Rabiot is a free agent next summer. (Calciomercato)
Arsenal will have to fork out €35m (approx. £30.5m) if they’re to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger, Mykhaylo Mudryk in January. The Ukraine international is also admired by Liverpool. (Calciomercato)
Borussia Dortmund have spied their next English sensation – Crystal Palace’s 17-year-old Junior Dixon. A summer deal is far more likely than a winter window switch. (Bild)
MAN CITY WANT CHELSEA FORWARD
Man City are interested in pulling off an audacious move for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz. (Simon Phillips)
Aston Villa may still have to pay €30m to prise managerial candidate Ruben Amorim out of his Sporting Lisbon contract. That’s in stark contrast to the Telegraph reporting the figure had decreased with time to around €10m. (Record)
Chelsea have joined Man Utd and Newcastle in exploring a move to sign Napoli hitman, Victor Osimhen. However, the Naples club are notoriously difficult to deal with and will command €100m ‘at least’. (Calciomercato)
Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks still hasn’t played a single minute while on loan at Sampdoria. He’s struggling with an ankle injury and there’s no timeframe on when he’ll return to action. (ClubDoria46)
Man Utd are by no means alone in their admiration of Bayer Leverkusen right-back, Jeremie Frimpong. United have scouted the Dutchman, but there’re just one of many tracking his progress (Fabrizio Romano)