Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Transfer Gossip: Liverpool working on blockbuster transfer; West Ham in talks over £38m deal to follow Scamacca; Saka offer

Jude Bellingham Borussia Dortmund July 2022

Liverpool are sensationally working behind the scenes to agree a deal for Jude Bellingham, West Ham are in talks over following up Gianluca Scamacca’s transfer with a £38m transfer and Arsenal have put an formal offer on the table for Bukayo Saka.

KLOPP WORKING ON BELLINGHAM DEAL

Liverpool are closing in on a sensational agreement to sign England starlet Jude Bellingham, claims a report.

Fabrizio Romano claimed this week that Liverpool had been told the Borussia Dortmund man was “untouchable this summer”.

Liverpool officials are believed to have contacted the Bundesliga club over the 19-year-old’s availability. And while they were told is could not happen this summer, Football Insider now report that the Reds are “making strong progress” on a future transfer.

So instead of walking away from a potential deal, Liverpool have been putting forward a future plan for the former Birmingham City star.

Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward is understood to be working hard on putting an agreement in place for next summer. The Reds put a similar deal in place under Michael Edwards for Naby Keita in August 2017.

Klopp a fan of Bellingham

And Ward is aiming to get a deal hammered out that will see Bellingham arrive at Anfield in 12 month’s time.

Liverpool see the central midfielder as the man capable of taking the team to the next level. 

Jurgen Klopp is a hug fan of Bellingham and said recently: “He’s not on the market, so that’s the first problem with that player. Well, the only problem with that player!”

BVB have appointed to Bellingham to the club’s leadership group. And named him the third captain as they attempt to keep hold of the star.

ZIELINKSI ON WEST HAM RADAR

Piotr Zielinski, Napoli midfielder, during Serie A match v Torino at Stadio Olimpico

West Ham United are reportedly in talks with Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski.

The club are understood to be close to wrapping up a deal with Serie A club Sassuolo for striker Gianluca Scamacca. And David Moyes is trying to follow up that deal with a move for the highly-rated Zielinski.

The Hammers have agreed a £30.5m fee for Scamacca and they are also chasing Frankfurt winger Filip Kostic.

The disappointment of seeing Jesse Lingard sign for Nottingham Forest saw Moyes submit an offer for Kostic.

But the Hammers have also enquired about Zielinski and Hirving Lozano.

TuttoMercatoWeb report that the Hammers have been put off Lozano by the cost of a potential deal with Napoli.

But Poland international midfielder Zielinksi is firmly in their sights. The club are “in negotiations” for the Napoli man.

He will only be allowed to leave for an offer of around £38m, as the 28-year-old is under contract until June 2024 with an option to renew for another season.

SAKA CONTRACT OFFER

Bukayo Saka Arsenal May 2022

Arsenal have formally offered Bukayo Saka a new long-term contract, according to the Daily Mail.

England star Saka has been in contract talks with the club for months. And now the Gunners have reportedly offered to make him one of the best paid players at the club.

Arsenal officials have now formally offered Saka an extension worth at least double his current £70,000-per-week deal.

The 20-year-old’s current contract expires in under two years and a number of rival clubs have been monitoring the situation.

The Daily Mail, among other outlets, claim Man City have already identified Saka as a long-term replacement for Raheem Sterling.

Meanwhile, the late Ian McGarry claimed on the Transfer Window Podcast that Liverpool have shortlisted Saka as a potential new signing back in December.

As yet there has been no response from Saka over the contract offer.