Euro Paper Talk: Barcelona star to rescue as Liverpool find Van Dijk stop-gap

Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti Barcelona

Liverpool could strike a deal to sign a Barcelona defender as a short-term solution to their injury problems, while Leeds have been given hope of a January deal for Julian Draxler after PSG identified his replacement, according to Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk.

 

SAMUEL UMTITI LINKED WITH LIVERPOOL MOVE

Liverpool are reported to be considering a shock approach for Samuel Umtiti as a short-term stop-gap for Virgil van Dijk.

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.

Since then, the Reds have been linked with a plethora of names.

Monday’s Paper Talk suggested three men, including a Chelsea man, were on Jurgen Klopp’s wanted list.

Jamie Carragher also had a name in mind when questioned; the pundit demanding Liverpool get his signing done on January 1.

Meanwhile, Calciomercato claims Klopp has a new shortlist of names. They state Milan Skriniar, Jose Gimenez and Dayoy Upamecano are the men wanted.

However, Liverpool look unlikely to tempt any of those sides to part with their players mid-season. Instead, Umtiti has been named as a potenial stop-gap in the Spanish media.

As per Don Balon, Liverpool are ready to ask Barcelona if Umtiti can join the club on an initial short-term deal.

The World Cup winner has fallen down the pecking order at Barca and has been told he can move on.

 

BARCA WANT RID OF UMTITI

The LaLiga giants failed to find a buyer in the summer for Umtiti. However, Liverpool could come calling in a deal that would suit all parties.

According to the report, Liverpool could sign the defender on an initial deal to the end of the season. That arrangement could then be extended were the former Lyon man impress.

Umtiti has been dogged by his own injury issues himself of late and a move to Anfield would be a fresh start. At the same time, it would give Liverpool the top-class defensive cover they need as they ponder life without Van Dijk.

A report last month claimed Barca could let Umtiti leave for a nominal fee, or even a free.

 


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JULIAN DRAXLER HOPE FOR LEEDS

PSG are planning a €20m offer to Inter Milan for Christian Eriksen in January. The arrival of the Dane would allow Leeds target Julian Draxler to leave. (Fijaches)

Tottenham are planning a €20m deal to bring Diego Costa back to the Premier League in January. (Don Balon)

Real Madrid or Liverpool could sign Kylian Mbappe in summer 2021 with the striker unwilling to extend his contract at PSG. (Le Parisien)

Man Utd had the paperwork all in place and everything agreed to sign Ousmane Dembele on deadline day. The France winger only called off the transfer at 6pm with hours to spare. (France Football)

 

CAMAVINGA MOST LIKELY TO JOIN REAL MADRID

Real Madrid, rather than Tottenham or Man Utd, are the most likely destination for France sensation Eduardo Camavinga. (The Athletic)

West Ham saw a €20m (€17m up front and €3m in add-ons) bid rejected by Strasbourg for defender Mohamed Simakan. (France Football)

Barcelona have major fitness concerns over new midfielder Miralem Pjanic. The former Juventus man has been limited to just 27 minutes action so far. (Sport)

Barcelona want to offload Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite to make way for Memphis Depay and Myron. (Fijaches)

Juventus are confident they can persuade Argentina forward Paulo Dybala to sign a contract extension. (Tuttosport)

 

BERNARD OFFER IN FOR EVERTON

Everton winger Bernard is the subject of a €7m offer from  Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. (Goal)

Manchester City could revive their interest in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly when the transfer window reopens. City saw a €60m bid rejected in the summer window. (Calciomercato)

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has criticised Lionel Messi’s performances this season. (various)

Leeds target Jose Campana is eager to leave Levante to “grow” and club president Quico Catalan is well aware of the situation. (Super Deporte)

 

AND MORE FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Martin Odegaard: May move to Hammers

Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard has been ruled out of his side’s next six matches due to a calf injury.

Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira insists that had he met personally with Edinson Cavani then he would have signed for the Portuguese side and not Man Utd. (RTP)

Zinedine Zidane is facing opposition from his closest confidants over how he managed James Rodriguez’s exit from Real Madrid. (AS)

Former Chelsea and Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri is in line to take over as the new Fiorentina manager. (Calciomercato)