Euro Paper Talk: Man Utd go all out for Liverpool hijack after embarrassing Kim Min-jae blunder; Man City move for German attacker

Man Utd are lining up a Liverpool-linked Bayern Munich star amid reports they’ve been taken for a ride over a Kim Min-jae transfer, while Man City are pushing to sign a German gem – both in Wednesday’s Euro Paper Talk.

MAN UTD MAKE LIVERPOOL TARGET ‘TOP’ DEFENSIVE PRIORITY

The Red Devils have turned their attention to Liverpool target Benjamin Pavard after seemingly being duped in their pursuit of Napoli centre-back, Kim Min-jae.

The headlines at Old Trafford this summer will be dominated by their pursuit of an elite-level centre-forward. However, bubbling under the surface are potential signing at goalkeeper, centre-back and central midfield.

Regarding centre-half, reports out of Italy over the last seven days have suggested a move for South Korean ace, Kim Min-jae, is all but guaranteed.

The 26-year-old can be signed for around £43m thanks to a release clause that can be activated between July 1-15.

Numerous Italian reports have claimed an agreement on personal terms has been struck, while the Sun claimed United may even push through a deal early to ensure they fend off competition from the likes of Newcastle.

However, according to Kim himself, all isn’t quite as it seems.

Indeed, taking to Instagram, Kim revealed someone not connected to the player has been posing as his agent and discussing potential moves and agreements they have no authority to make.

“There is someone who is posing as my agent,” said Kim. “[They are] meeting clubs and young players in disguise. This is not my agent. Be careful and find out about my agent.”

Get Italian Football News suggest the stories linking Kim to Man Utd and specifically those claiming a deal is close may in fact ‘be the work of intermediaries who might not be Kim’s actual agents’.

Man Utd turn attention to Pavard

With Kim to Man Utd under a dark cloud, French outlet L’Equipe claim the Red Devils are turning their attention to Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard.

The France international, 27, can operate either at centre-back or right-back and reportedly has no intention of signing a new contract in Bavaria.

With his current deal expiring at the end of next season, an exit this summer would make sense. Failure to sanction a sale would leave Bayern open to losing Pavard for nothing 12 months from now.

German publication Kicker recently claimed Liverpool had enquired into signing Pavard. Aside from a midfield rebuild, the Reds also want an addition at centre-back and a back-up right-back and Pavard would kill two birds with one stone.

However, L’Equipe (as cited by Get French Football News) claim Man Utd have now installed Pavard at the top of their defensive wishlist.

As such, they’re expected to spare no expense when it comes time to lodge a bid.

MAN CITY PUSHING FOR GERMAN GEM

Man City are pushing to sign German wonderkid, Noah Darvich. The 16-year-old attacking midfielder is on the books at Freiburg and is currently the captain of Germany’s Under-17s, though wouldn’t be able to arrive in England until turning 18 if signed. (Sport 1 and Sport Witness)

Liverpool rate Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone “highly” and believe there’s a chance of securing a move for the midfielder this summer. (Fabrizio Romano and BILD)

Chelsea are close to selling Ruben Loftus-Cheek to AC Milan and the midfielder has been in dialogue with ex-Blues teammates, Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud. Personal terms are close to being agreed, though Chelsea want Milan to double their initial €10m offer. (MilanReports)

Karim Benzema is strongly considering an eye-watering offer worth around €100m to join the Saudi Pro League. However, there’s confusion as to who the offer is from, with Fabrizio Romano claiming it’s Al Ittihad and the Independent stating Al Hilal. (Fabrizio Romano and Independent)

Brentford have announced the signing of Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Freiburg. His €13m arrival will pave the way for David Raya to depart for a fee in the region of £40m. Man Utd and Tottenham are both tracking Raya. (Various)

Crystal Palace are closing in on free agent swoop for Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma. (Fabrizio Romano)

TOTTENHAM MANAGER BOOST?

Luis Enrique has rejected the chance to succeed Luciano Spalletti at Napoli and instead favours a move to one of England’s ‘big six’. The only relevant team currently without a permanent manager is Tottenham. (Cadena SER)

Neymar only has eyes for Man Utd if turfed out of PSG this summer. The Brazilian’s potential move to Old Trafford hinges on the club being bought out by Qatari businessman, Sheikh Jassim. (FootMercato)

AC Milan are poised to ward off interest from Man Utd and Tottenham by offering goalkeeper Mike Maignan a new and improved contract. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Chelsea are at risk of losing N’Golo Kante to free agency, with his situation “unclear” once again despite talks advancing over previous months. Kante’s deal at Stamford Bridge expires on June 30 and the Frenchman is courting widespread interest including from Saudi Arabia. (Fabrizio Romano)

Atletico Madrid have tabled an offer for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram. The French forward will become a free agent this summer and has been listed as one of Man Utd’s back-up striker targets. (L’Equipe)

MAN UTD HALVE WINGER’S ASKING PRICE

Man Utd have halved their asking price for rarely used winger Anthony Elanga. Just £10m is now enough for the Red Devils to cash in. (Manchester Evening News)

Liverpool rejected a bid from RB Leipzig to sign rarely-used attacker, Fabio Carvalho. The Reds would prefer a loan exit, though may consider a permanent sale if a buy-back clause is included. (Fabrizio Romano)

Crystal Palace, Burnley and Brentford have all “submitted bids” to sign Sunderland winger, Jack Clarke. The former Tottenham flyer notched 20 goals and assists combined in the Championship this season. (Fabrizio Romano)

Everton will decide on whether to activate Conor Coady’s option to buy from Wolves before the month of May is out. The option is set at a modest £4.5m. (Football Insider)

Man Utd are willing to meet the £65m release clause in the contract of FC Porto goalkeeper, Diogo Costa. A move is only likely to take shape if David de Gea doesn’t sign a new deal and thus leaves as a free agent on June 30. (A Bola)