Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool submit €80m bid for top Klopp target

Liverpool have made a lucrative offer to Jurgen Klopp’s top target this summer, while Arsenal have bid a combined €50m for stars of Getafe and Eibar, according to Sunday’s European papers.

 

LIVERPOOL LAUNCH HUGE OFFER FOR NICOLAS PEPE

Liverpool have upped their efforts to sign Nicolas Pepe this summer by launching a huge bid to win the race for the forward.

The Ivory Coast winger finds himself a man in demand this summer after a stellar season with Lille – but reports on Saturday claimed it was Bayern Munich who were poised to win the race for his signature.

However, Liverpool cannot be discounted as genuine contenders to sign Pepe this summer after il Corriere dello Sport reporter Nicolo Schira claimed the Reds had upped the offer on the table from Bayern.

According to the reporter, Liverpool have not only matched Lille’s €80m (£71m) asking price for the 24-year-old attacker, they have also reportedly put a five-year contract on the table for the winger worth an estimated £100,000 a week.

That is more than the amount Bayern are alleged to have offered, meaning Liverpool look strong favourites to bring Pepe to Anfield this summer.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is looking for cover and competition for Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino – and it seems Pepe fits the bill.

The player has scored 35 goals in 74 league appearances for the Ligue 1 club since arriving in a bargain deal from Angers in summer 2017.

Klopp’s interest in Pepe is backed up by French journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi, the man who broke the Fabinho news 12 months ago.

 

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AND THE REST

Arsenal have joined the race to sign in demand Eibar midfielder Joan Jordan, who has a bargain €15m exit clause in his contract (Marca)

Arsenal have also submitted an offer for Getafe defender Djene Dakonam this summer. The Togo centre-half has a €35m exit clause in his contract and is also wanted by Everton (Marca)

Samuel Umtiti has told suitors Manchester United and Arsenal that he will still be a Barcelona player next season, despite interest in him from the Premier League (RTL France)

Barcelona have ruled out a summer move for veteran goalkeeper Gianluiigi Buffon after his release from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain (Mundo Deportivo)

AC Milan have taken captain Alessio Romagnoli off the market, but Gianluigi Donnarumma and Suso’s futures are in doubt amid claims both could be sold this summer (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Barcelona have opened talks with Watford over the sale of young defender Jean-Clair Todibo (Sport)

Napoli midfielder Amadou Diawara is pushing for a Premier League move, with Tottenham ready to battle Watford and Wolves for his €25m signature (Corriere della Sport)

Chelsea are still keen on a summer swoop for Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey this summer – if they can get their transfer ban lifted (various)

Juventus are reportedly offering Chelsea a discount on Gonzalo Higuain’s €9m loan, which would help speed up Maurizio Sarri’s move to become their new coach (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Gelson Martins wants to leave Atletico Madrid this summer and make a permanent move to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco (Record)

Juventus met with Nicolò Zaniolo’s agent on Friday and they’re prepared to offer Roma €40m cash plus Mattia Perin or Juan Cuadrado (La Stampa)

Arsenal have launched an 11th hour bid of €22m to match Napoli’s offer for Fiorentina midfielder Jordan Veretout (L’Equipe)

New Espanyol boss David Gallego is considering a loan approach for Real Madrid’s former Man City star Brahim Diaz (Cadena COPE)

Maurizio Sarri could be reunited with his Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmieri if he replaces Max Allegri at Juventus, with Alex Sandro on the way out (Corriere dello Sport)

Ed Woodward is unsure whether Bruno Fernandes is worth the reported €75m asking price – meaning Tottenham could now step in and beat Man Utd to the Sporting Lisbon star (A Bola)

AC Milan and Chelsea face competition from Atletico Madrid for Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj (AS)

Napoli have joined Juventus and Manchester City in the race to sign Real Madrid playmaker Isco (Sport)

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez, who is also being tracked by Liverpool, West Ham and Tottenham