Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool delight as Man Utd drop out of race for Portugal star determined to leave current club; Newcastle want Serie A captain after Tonali signing

Liverpool have been given a fantastic opportunity to sign a Primeira Liga star after Manchester United ended their interest in him, Newcastle United hope to bring in a second Italy ace following the arrival of Sandro Tonali, while Wednesday’s Euro Paper Talk includes Chelsea being in pole position to land a Barcelona-linked winger.

LIVERPOOL HANDED BOOST BY MAN UTD

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool could win the race for a Sporting Lisbon defender after Man Utd began pursuing other targets, according to a report.

Liverpool are searching for a new centre-back who can compete with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate for a starting spot at Anfield.

Klopp also has Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and Joe Gomez in his squad. But Phillips has become a target for Leeds United, Williams is close to joining Aberdeen on loan and Gomez is unreliable due to his injury problems.

Plus, Klopp may soon need a new centre-half who can succeed from Van Dijk and Matip. They are both 31 years old and heading into the twilight years of their careers.

Liverpool would love to sign Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, but he will be too expensive. Instead, Gvardiol could head to Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s team have opened the bidding for him.

With Gvardiol out of Liverpool’s reach, the Reds have begun chasing Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio. He is a 21-year-old centre-back who is left footed, which means he is a similar profile to Gvardiol.

Both Liverpool and Man Utd have been tipped to bid for Inacio this summer. And on June 12 the two Premier League giants were put on alert when Portuguese source O Jogo revealed Inacio had ‘frozen contract talks’ with Sporting. He does not want to organise a new deal with his current employers as he is hoping to secure a big move ahead of next season.

Spanish outlet AS have now provided an update on the situation. They reveal the Portugal international’s time at Sporting ‘seems to be coming to an end’ as interest in his services ramps up.

Man Utd decide against signing Goncalo Inacio

But, in a major boost for Liverpool, Man Utd are no longer looking at him. This comes after the Red Devils set their sights on alternative defenders such as Axel Disasi and Jean-Clair Todibo. Man Utd have been in advanced discussions with Napoli over the signing of Kim Min-jae too, although he is now more likely to join Bayern.

While Liverpool will not have to fend off Man Utd for Inacio, they do still have a couple of rivals in the transfer hunt. AS name Newcastle and Arsenal as also being interested in him.

Newcastle in particular may be able to cause Liverpool some problems due to their huge spending power. Although, Liverpool fans should have confidence in their team winning the race for the star.

After all, Liverpool have the greatest need for a new centre-half out of those three teams. And this will likely result in them pushing the hardest to agree a deal with Sporting.

The Portuguese outfit have decided they will sell Inacio as long as a €45million (£39m) offer arrives for him. And Sporting want that fee to be paid immediately and in full, rather than through instalments.

NEWCASTLE EYE EXPERIENCED SERIE A STAR

Newcastle hope to follow Sandro Tonali’s signing by capturing Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo. The right-back was part of the Italy team which won Euro 2020. (Spazio Napoli)

Marseille are aiming to sign striker Folarin Balogun from Arsenal. They want him to form an attacking partnership with former Gunners ace Alexis Sanchez. (L’Equipe)

Freiburg have joined Everton in the race for Leeds winger Wilfried Gnonto. The 19-year-old could leave Elland Road following Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Leipzig are close to signing Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho on loan. The German club were trying to include a buy option in the deal, but Liverpool rejected this. (Bild)

Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana could become a Man Utd player as early as this week if talks between the two clubs go smoothly. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

CHELSEA LEADING BARCELONA IN BRAZILIAN HUNT

Chelsea are frontrunners to snare 18-year-old Santos winger Angelo Gabriel, even though Barcelona have first refusal on the player. (Sport)

Al Hilal are trying to tempt Italy midfielder Marco Verratti to swap Paris Saint-Germain for the Saudi Pro League. (L’Equipe)

Tottenham have reached an agreement with Leicester over the transfer of creative midfielder James Maddison. Tottenham are set to pay £40m for him. (Fabrizio Romano)

Leipzig have decided they will allow attacker Dominik Szoboszlai to leave this summer, but only if his main suitors Newcastle pay €70m (£60m) for him. (Bild)

West Ham have sent Juventus their opening proposal for Denis Zakaria, who was on loan at Chelsea last season. However, it has fallen short of Juve’s €20m (£17m) asking price. (Tutto Juve)

TOTTENHAM SEND RIDICULOUSLY LOW BID FOR DEFENDER

Spurs have offered Barca just €5m (£4.3m) for centre-back Clement Lenglet, who spent last term on loan at the North London club. But Barca have told them the Frenchman will cost €10m (£8.6m). (Mundo Deportivo)

Man Utd are most likely to swoop in for either Rasmus Hojlund or Randal Kolo Muani if Harry Kane goes through with his prospective transfer to Bayern. (Fabrizio Romano)

Milan are finalising a deal with Chelsea for midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while the two clubs are also in discussions over Christian Pulisic’s potential switch to Italy. (Corriere dello Sport)

Real Madrid are offering Fenerbahce the chance to have wonderkid Arda Guler back on loan with them next season if the Spanish giants are allowed to sign him permanently this summer. (AS)

Austrian side Sturm Graz ‘desire’ the signing of Brighton goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Vitesse in the Netherlands. (Kleine Zeitung)

Burnley have bid €12m (£10m) for Wolfsburg midfielder Aster Vranckx. He is a two-cap Belgium international who was on loan at Milan last term. (L’Equipe)