Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Transfer Gossip: Salah tops massive six-man Barcelona wish list as Liverpool set for action; Chelsea eye Bundesliga star

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool star during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Mohamed Salah features on a huge six-man wish list for Barcelona this summer, while Chelsea and Newcastle eye a Bundesliga swoop – both in all the latest Transfer Gossip.

BARCELONA PLOT SALAH, LIVERPOOL SWOOP

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah tops Barcelona’s six-strong transfer wish list for the summer window, according to a report.

Rumours about the Egypt international’s future continue to swirl while he remains without a new contract. Salah will indeed enter the final year of his current terms at the end of this season.

He has consistently maintained that he wants to sign a new deal. What’s more, he wants to overtake Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool’s best-paid player.

Reports have subsequently claimed that finances and wage structure are big fears for Liverpool. Salah, though, insisted in his latest interview that “it’s not everything about the money at all.”

In any case, Barcelona are reportedly strong admirers of Salah. And the Daily Mirror talks of renewed confidence within the La Liga club of a swoop for the 29-year-old.

Barca recently agreed a shirt and stadium sponsorship deal with music streaming service Spotify worth £236million.

The newspaper claims that the Spanish giants are therefore planning a raid for six new signings, with Salah their top target. They are subsequently planning a bid which they hope will tempt Liverpool into selling.

Previous reports have claimed that Liverpool have accepted the risk of losing Salah for free next summer by making him non-transferable this time round.

Liverpool must remember Salah truth as contract saga rumbles on

Liverpool must remember Salah truth as contract saga rumbles on

Liverpool must remember that no player is bigger than the club, even amid the clamour for Mohamed Salah to sign a new contract.

However, Barcelona want to test that theory by submitting a bid and bringing the forward to Camp Nou.

The newspaper does not name any other transfer targets for Barca, but claims that head coach Xavi has a plan to restore the rivalry with Real Madrid.

Salah hit the 30-goal mark for Liverpool this season with his brace against Manchester United last Tuesday.

CHELSEA EYEING GERMANY UNDER-21 STAR

Amos Pieper, Borussia Dortmund v Arminia Bielefeld February 2022

Chelsea and Newcastle are reportedly keeping tabs on a potential move for Arminia Bielefeld defender Amos Pieper.

The Germany Under-21 international is a free agent this summer, with his contract running down.

However, the 24-year-old is not expected to sign a new deal and so the Daily Mirror reports that the Premier League duo are monitoring a raid.

The Blues have made adding to their defence a major priority for this summer’s transfer window.

Indeed, centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are both set to leave Stamford Bridge as free agents themselves.

Christensen is reportedly moving to Barcelona, while Real Madrid lead a more open race for Rudiger.

Pieper left Borussia Dortmund in 2019 and has played all but five Bundesliga games for Arminia Bielefeld this season.

The German club are facing relegation, but their centre-back has also reportedly caught the eye of Newcastle.

The Magpies added Dan Burn at centre-back in January but are looking to invest again following their takeover in October.

VILLA TO MAKE COUTINHO DECISION

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard embracing Philippe Coutinho

Aston Villa will decide next month whether to activate their purchase option for Barcelona loanee Philippe Coutinho, according to a report.

The 29-year-old former Liverpool man enjoyed an electric return to the Premier League in his first few games at Villa.

In fact, he netted four goals and assisted three others in his first eight games under ex-Reds team-mate Steven Gerrard.

However, his impact has waned amid a poor run of form for Villa, leading to question marks over his future.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Villa will have to pay £33million to sign Coutinho permanently from Barcelona.

What’s more, Coutinho could ask for as much as £8million a year in wages – even if he takes a pay cut.

As such, Villa are carefully considering the situation and will make a decision in May. Meanwhile, Newcastle supposedly fancy themselves as summer suitors for the Brazilian.