Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Transfer Gossip: Late £87m Liverpool offer for Real Madrid ace revealed; journalist ‘convinced’ Euro giants will move for Harry Kane

Federico Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema

Liverpool considered a big-money approach for a Real Madrid player late in the summer transfer window, a reporter is certain Harry Kane will receive an enticing offer next year, while Tuesday’s Transfer Gossip reveals West Ham’s thoughts on the future of Declan Rice.

LIVERPOOL IN £87M REAL MADRID MOVE

A report has revealed Liverpool were plotting a move for Real Madrid star Federico Valverde shortly before the transfer window slammed shut on Thursday September 1.

The Reds were desperately searching for a new midfielder following injuries to Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain.

Their ideal long-term target seems to be Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham – Fabrizio Romano has just given the latest on Manchester United’s interest in him.

To fill the gap for the current campaign, Liverpool captured Arthur Melo on a season-long loan from Juventus. They have the option to make his move permanent, too.

But things could have been far different for Jurgen Klopp’s side. According to Spanish newspaper AS (via Madrid Universal), Liverpool hoped to land Valverde from Real two days before the window closed.

They even came forward with an £87m (€100m) proposal for the Uruguayan. A signing at this price would have seen them break their transfer record for the second time this year, following Darwin Nunez’s arrival for £85m.

Liverpool pushed to sign Valverde but were ultimately unsuccessful in the pursuit. Real soon told the Reds they have no interest in letting him go, which forced Liverpool to lock onto other targets.

Valverde has been a mainstay in the Real team since Carlo Ancelotti took over at the Bernabeu. He made 46 appearances last season and has already played in seven matches this term.

Ancelotti likes to use the 24-year-old as a right winger, despite him preferring to operate as a central midfielder. But the tactic seems to be working, as Valverde has already had a hand in two goals and two assists so far this campaign.

Liverpool already have Mo Salah at right wing, so they likely wouldn’t have used Valverde so far forward. Instead, the star would have provided extra steel in the Liverpool midfield while the likes of Keita and Henderson recover from injury.

Valverde is clearly a great player with plenty of experience at the top level. Indeed, he has made 29 outings in the Champions League, while also helping Real to lift the trophy earlier this year.

Despite this, it would have been surprising to see Liverpool spend such big money on him so soon after Nunez’s capture. Liverpool chiefs would rather announce just one really expensive signing per transfer window if they can help it.

As such, it makes sense that the club ultimately brought in Arthur from Juve. They have the option to buy the Brazilian, rather than an obligation, which means they could save money and send him back to Turin next summer. This would aid their pursuit of Bellingham, who will probably cost over £100m.

UCL CONTENDERS IN HARRY KANE PUSH

A journalist is ‘totally convinced’ Bayern Munich will try to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham in January.

Kane has been in top form during the new season, registering five goals in his first seven matches. This has helped Tottenham to win four of their first six Premier League games.

The England striker continuing to find the net will prove vital in Spurs getting a top-four spot and potentially ending their trophy drought.

While he shines on the pitch, rumours about Kane’s future are beginning to swirl. His Spurs contract expires in June 2024 and this is putting Bayern on alert.

Their sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, claims to have had no contact with Kane’s entourage over a switch to Bavaria.

But Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg believes the forward will soon emerge as one of Bayern’s top targets.

“I am totally convinced that Harry Kane will become a very, very hot topic at Bayern Munich in the next transfer window,” Plettenberg said (via The Boot Room). “It depends on the striker’s performances this year.

“Bayern bosses have told them – let’s see what happens, we have Mane, Coman, Sane, Gnabry and so on – but if they don’t work and if they miss that number nine, Harry Kane will become very hot.”

The journalist added: “There was definitely contact between the Bayern responsibles and Charlie Kane, brother of Harry Kane.

“We hear it confirmed that Harry Kane can really, really imagine joining Bayern.”

It seems Spurs need to get working on that contract extension. Handing Kane fresh terms, including a big pay rise, should prevent Bayern from acting on their interest in him.

DECLAN RICE ‘TRUSTS WEST HAM PROCESS’

Declan Rice West Ham pre-season

West Ham are ‘very confident’ about Declan Rice staying at the London Stadium as the midfielder ‘trusts the process’, according to one journalist.

Rice has regularly been linked with England’s top clubs in recent years, most notably Manchester United and Chelsea.

West Ham have attempted to keep him at the club by giving him the captaincy and explaining their vision for European football in the future.

The Irons are playing in this season’s Europa Conference League. Ideally, though, they would like to feature in the Europa League again, or potentially play in the Champions League.

And it seems these positive talks about the direction of West Ham are working. Dean Jones states Rice is happy there and will not push for an exit anytime soon.

“For now, West Ham are very confident about the place that Rice is in,” he said during an interview with GiveMeSport.

“He’s knuckling down and he trusts the process. He knows that any move for him will come along at the moment in which he actually needs it.”

There was no need for Rice to risk anything and make a move in the summer. He is one of the first names on the team sheet at West Ham, which is great for his chances of starting at the World Cup.

Rice, like England team-mate Kane, has two years left on his West Ham deal. It will be interesting to see if he spends the rest of this time at West Ham before leaving on a free in 2024.

Alternatively, the midfield enforcer could sign an extension and spend more time at West Ham. Either way though, Rice has the potential to play in the Champions League and will surely leave West Ham at some point to pursue this dream.