Euro Paper Talk: Free agent offered to Liverpool amid double incentive

Felipe Caicedo, Ezequiel Garay

Liverpool have been dangled a tempting double incentive to sign a classy free-agent defender, while Chelsea are looking at a big-name manager to succeed Frank Lampard, according to Wednesday’s Euro Paper Talk.

 

GARAY OFFERED TO LIVERPOOL

Liverpool have been offered the chance to plug their defensive gap with a tempting offer to sign Ezequiel Garay.

The experienced Argentine defender is without a club having left Valencia at the end of his deal following the 2019/20 season.

Despite being 34, it’s perhaps surprising the veteran defender did not get hooked up with a new club.

With Liverpool reeling from the long-term loss of Virgil van Dijk, they have been left with a hole to fill in their defence.

The Holland star looks set to miss most of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Everton.

Jordan Pickford’s reckless challenge forced the defender off the pitch and he will now undergo knee surgery.

The challenge which left the Dutchman’s season wrecked is, according to Gini Wijnaldum, causing Liverpool’s stars to have ‘sleepless nights’.

 

However, free agent Garay could prove an excellent short-term solution and the answer to their problems.

According to Fijaches, Garay’s agent has already made contact with Liverpool to offer his client’s services.

Furthermore, his agent has handed Liverpool a tempting double incentive to consider.

Firstly, it’s reported Garay will not command high wages and will happily move to Anfield for a modest wage.

Secondly, Garay will not seek a lengthy deal and will happily sign an initial one-year deal. That would give Liverpool the top-class cover they need to cover Van Dijk’s absence.

Garay has 34 Argentina caps to his name and also counts Real Madrid, Zenit and Benfica among his former clubs.

Spanish outlet Fijaches now claims Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are giving serious thought to signing Garay.

 


Subscribe to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…


CHELSEA CONSIDER ALLEGRI

Mauricio Pochettino; Massimiliano Allegri TEAMtalk

Chelsea are considering a move for Massimiliano Allegri as Frank Lampard’s successor should the Blues fail to win a trophy this season. (Quotidano Sportivo)

Arsenal will revive their interest in Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar when the window opens again in January. (Don Balon)

Fabio Borini is being linked with a move to Watford, Burnley and Swansea having become a free agent earlier this month. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Erling Haaland will favour a move to Real Madrid over Manchester United when his exit clause at Borussia Dortmund kicks in. (ABC De Sevilla)

Phillip Cocu is under increasing pressure at Derby and he could leave should they lose their next game. (De Telegraaf)

 

EMERY MAKES MBAPPE TRANSFER CLAIM

Kylian Mbappe Paris Saint-Germain

Unai Emery claims Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe had his heart set on a future move to Real Madrid when he coached him at the French club. (Cadena Cope)

Manchester City loanee Pedro Porro is emerging as one of Sporting Lisbon’s star players during his temporary stint in Portugal. (Record)

Hakan Calhanoglu’s agent has reportedly asked for €6.5m a year for his client to renew his deal with AC Milan. (Tuttosport)

Jose Mourinho is intending to send Gedson Fernandes back to Benfica in January after his time at Tottenham did not work out. (A Bola)

 

PEREIRA HOPE FOR LEICESTER

Ricardo Pereira hopes he will be back playing for Leicester City within six weeks following knee surgery. (O Jogo)

Man City have been warned they must raise their offer from €60m if they intend to come back in for Kalidou Koulibaly in January. (Calciomercato)

Federico Chiesa says his first Champions League appearance for Juventus ‘could not have gone better’ after a 2-0 away at Dynamo Kiev. (Sky Italia)

Barcelona teenage winger Ansu Fati insists his strong form is down to others and has thanked his teammates for their help. (Marca)

 

AND MORE FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Eden Hazard won’t return to first-team action with Real Madrid until late November at the earliest due to ongoing fitness issues. (Marca)

Italian MP Vincenzo Spadafora has criticised Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo for flying back to Italy from Portugal after testing positive for coronavirus. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann is open to deferring part of his salary. (Marca)

Inter Milan are ready to cut their losses on Christian Eriksen, with PSG posing a serious threat to Tottenham’s hopes of luring him back. (Fijaches)

Barcelona have confirmed contract extensions for Gerard Pique, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Clement Lenglet and Frenkie de Jong. (various)