Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool want 6ft 4in monster as Fabinho upgrade as Klopp eyes second deal for ‘new Luka Modric’; Ten Hag wants free agent to join Man Utd
Liverpool are stepping up interest in two midfielders who play for Mainz and RB Salzburg respectively, Manchester United are in contact with a soon-to-be free-agent striker, while Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Arsenal are demanding £35m for a striker deal.
KLOPP WANTS RANGY MAINZ STAR TO SIGN FOR LIVERPOOL
Liverpool are reportedly growing serious over a possible deal to sign Mainz midfielder Anton Stach this summer.
The imposing 6ft 4in midfielder has emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s best players this season. The 24-year-old No 6 has appeared in 24 games in all competitions, scoring once and assisting three times.
And his performances have put Mainz in contention for European qualification, with the side currently seventh in the Bundesliga.
Now, according to reports, the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham have all made checks on the player.
But Sky Deutschland claims that the strongest interest is coming from Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp a big fan.
And with the Reds boss looking to freshen up his midfield this summer, a cut-price move for Stach could be made.
And with his deal expiring in summer 2024, Mainz look likely to cash in this summer.
Per the reports, they are willing to sell for just £10.5m (€12m) when the window reopens. Mainz know that Stach is unlikely to sign an extension and can ill afford to let him enter the final year of his deal approaching free agency.
The colossal midfielder is reportedly seen by Klopp as an upgrade on Fabinho, who has lost his way at Liverpool this season.
Stach wants to play at a higher level to force his way into Hansi Flick’s Euro 2024 squad. The 24-year-old has two caps for Die Mannschaft already to his name.
Liverpool want Luka Susic to follow Stach to Anfield
The Reds, meanwhile, are also firmly on the trail of Croatian sensation Luka Susic.
The 20-year-old has caught the eye this season playing for RB Salzburg in the Austrian league. Currently nine points clear at the summit, Susic has featured 15 times before succumbing to a knee injury.
However, his impact has already been huge and Susic has already earned four international caps. Indeed, he was part of Zlatko Dalic’s squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals earlier this season.
Such has been his impact that sections of the Croatian media are already branding Susic as ‘the next Luka Modric’. The veteran 37-year-old Real Madrid star, capped 162 times by his country, is seen as a God-like figure in his homeland. So comparisons to Modric for Susic are obviously not done lightly.
Per reports, Susic has a release clause in his Salzburg deal worth around £17.6m (€20m), which Liverpool are considering exploiting.
MAN UTD IN TALKS FOR MARCUS THURAM DEAL
Manchester United are in contact with Marcus Thuram’s representatives as they consider a free-transfer swoop for the Gladbach striker. (Calciomercato)
Ten Hag, meanwhile, is sending Man Utd scouts to make regular checks on Roma striker Tammy Abraham. (Giallorossi.net)
Tottenham are considering a summer move for Lecce’s Spanish midfielder Joan Gonzalez. (Torro.it)
Christopher Nkunku will ‘definitely’ join Chelsea this summer after the Blues finalised all the finer details of his move from RB Leipzig. (Florian Plettenberg)
Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are both abandoning their interest in signing Man Utd defender Victor Lindelof. (Fabrizio Romano)
Marseille, meanwhile, are ruling out turning Eric Bailly’s loan from Manchester United into a permanent deal. (L’Equipe)
Toni Kroos will snub a potential move to Manchester City having decided to stay with Real Madrid for one more season. (Mundo Deportivo)
EVERTON ON TRAIL OF UDINESE STAR
Everton are seen as the side most likely to sign centre-half Rodrigo Becao, having just missed out on the Udinese star in January. (Mondo Udinese)
Liverpool interest in Sofyan Amrabat is now over – but the Fiorentina star could still sign for Barcelona this summer subject to FFP rulings. (Fabrizio Romano)
Villarreal say Juan Foyth’s suitors, including Barcelona, they need to pay his full £53.1m (€60m) exit clause if they wish to sign him. (Sport)
Inter Milan will send Romelu Lukaku back to Chelsea this summer after deciding they cannot afford to re-sign him permanently. (Corriere dello Sport)
Juventus are considering cancelling Paul Pogba’s contract less than a year after his free-transfer return to the club. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle are all ready to pursue a summer deal for Barcelona star Raphinha. (Calciomercato)
ARSENAL SET HEFTY £35M ASKING PRICE FOR IN-DEMAND STRIKER
Arsenal are setting a minimum £35m (€40m) asking price for Folarin Balogun, following links with Inter and Milan. (Inter Live)
Italy coach Roberto Mancini says he is unhappy with the lack of playing time for Gianluca Scamacca at West Ham. (DAZN)
Tottenham will make a firm offer to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa in the coming weeks. (TyC Sports)
AC Milan are still open to signing loan star Aster Vranckx this summer – but Sergino Dest will return to parent club Barcelona. (Calciomercato)
Former Real Madrid striker Raul – currently their reserve team manager – is a serious contender to succeed Carlo Ancelotti this summer. (AS)
Borussia Dortmund are willing to sell Thomas Meunier this summer, with his deal expiring in 2024. (Calciomercato)
La Liga president Javier Tebas wants to see Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe play for Real Madrid next season. (Sport)