Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Transfer Gossip: Liverpool launch contact for efficient World Cup midfield signing with double-your-money offer; Arsenal battle PSG for Italian prospect

Hakim Ziyech and Sofyan Amrabat celebrating for Morocco

Liverpool have taken a strong step forward in their pursuit of a World Cup midfielder by initiating contact with his representatives, while Arsenal are battling Paris Saint-Germain for an unorthodox signing – all in Tuesday’s transfer gossip.

REDS READY TO MOVE FOR SOFYAN AMRABAT

Liverpool are in contact with the representatives of Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, according to reports in Italy.

Amrabat has emerged onto Liverpool’s radar in their efforts to evolve their midfield. He might be a cheaper target than their primary focus in the transfer market, Jude Bellingham.

Currently representing Morocco at the World Cup, Amrabat has been enhancing the reputation he has already been building up at club level with Fiorentina.

With that in mind, there have been reports in recent days of Liverpool pursuing a deal for the 26-year-old.

And according to Corriere Dello Sport, they have been in touch with Amrabat’s representatives. From their talks, it has become clear that they can offer him a better deal than the one he currently earns in Florence.

Per the report, Liverpool could pay Amrabat a salary of around £3million per season (around £58,000 per week). In contrast, his current salary with Fiorentina is €1.8million per year (under £30,000 per week).

Hence, Liverpool might be able to double his earnings, there or thereabouts. What’s more, they will hope to have Champions League football on offer, which is something he desires and Fiorentina might not be able to satisfy.

However, Fiorentina are ready to fight to keep Amrabat. Indeed, they are willing to give him a contract extension beyond his current expiry date of June 2024.

La Viola do have the option to extend his existing deal by a further 12 months, but may want to explore a longer-term negotiation.

Brother tipping Sofyan Amrabat for big move

That said, Liverpool could prove to be a tempting destination for Amrabat, who has also been of interest to Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

His brother, former Watford winger Nordin Amrabat, recently backed the Fiorentina man for a big move.

He told De Telegraaf earlier this month: “I think those interested will now be queuing up.

“I am really incredibly proud of Sofyan. If you play so well on such a stage – in three games against such countries – you then you have a lot to offer.

“I think that the top clubs in Europe who have been sleeping have now been shocked.

“In January, Sofyan was already around with Tottenham Hotspur, but there was no agreement on the transfer fee with Fiorentina. I think the interested will now be lining up.”

If Corriere Dello Sport is to be believed, Liverpool could be at the front of the queue.

ARSENAL IN BAMBA BATTLE

Ibrahima Bamba, Guimaraes, March 2022

Arsenal are battling Paris Saint-Germain for the signature of a promising midfielder, a report has revealed.

A new midfielder is on the agenda at Arsenal to provide support and competition for the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.

In that regard, they were linked around a month ago with an unorthodox option in the shape of Vitoria Guimaraes prospect, Ibrahima Bamba.

And according to the latest from Mundo Deportivo, Bamba very much remains on their radar.

However, they are now facing competition from French champions PSG for the 20-year-old. Both clubs class him as a concrete objective.

Bamba broke into the Vitoria Guimaraes first team earlier this year and could have a bright future ahead of him. He has already trained with the senior Italy national team, despite not yet making his debut.

Clearly willing to test himself in different environments, as evidenced by his move to a Portuguese club as a teenager, perhaps Bamba could try his luck in the Premier League.

It is not yet clear how much it might cost Arsenal to acquire him. Bamba recently signed a long-term contract with Vitoria Guimaraes, though, until June 2026.

JIMENEZ ON WAY OUT OF WOLVES

Raul Jimenez appears to be approaching the end of his time with Wolves – and in the Premier League altogether.

Jimenez has now been a Wolves player since 2018, when he joined on an initial loan deal from Benfica. He was originally a prolific frontman for the club, but has understandably lost some of his edge in the time after his recovery from a serious skull injury.

The Mexico international still has 18 months left on his contract at Molineux. Despite this, a report from W Radio now indicates that he has “a foot and a half” out of the exit door there.

The 31-year-old has been tipped to return to North America, either to his previous employers at Club America in Mexico or with one of two suitors in the MLS.

New Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui has given his approval to the idea of Jimenez leaving. Indeed, Wolves have already been linked heavily with a striker signing of their own in the shape of Matheus Cunha.

Hence, it could be the end of the road for Jimenez at Wolves. Only time will tell which side of the border between Mexico and the USA he ends up on.