Transfer Gossip: Jurgen Klopp’s new midfield priority revealed after Liverpool shockingly drop out of Jude Bellingham race; Newcastle ready offer to sign Serie A star before Tottenham
Multiple sources have detailed which midfielder Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to sign with a move for Jude Bellingham no longer viable, Newcastle are preparing to bid for a top Serie A midfielder wanted by Tottenham, while Wednesday’s Transfer Gossip reveals how Manchester City will no longer be able to capture a Chelsea ace.
LIVERPOOL MOVE ON AFTER BELLINGHAM BLOW
Liverpool have ended their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and are now preparing to go after a different high-quality midfielder, according to reports.
There were vastly different reports concerning Liverpool’s pursuit of Bellingham on Tuesday. German Bundesliga reporter Jan Age Fjortoft claimed the Reds had got the ball rolling on a transfer by submitting their opening proposal.
But hours later Liverpool’s move for Bellingham seemed to be dead in the water. The Times journalist Paul Joyce provided an update on the situation, stating that Liverpool have decided they simply cannot afford Bellingham if they are to sign more than one midfielder this summer.
Club chiefs do not want to spend all of their transfer budget on one player, with Bellingham set to cost around £120million. Due to this, Liverpool will aim to sign cheaper midfield alternatives.
There is now the prospect of the England international going to Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United, although other big clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also in the mix.
Various sources have now revealed which top star Liverpool are ready to sign instead. Italian journalist Matteo Moretto writes that Liverpool are now prioritising a move for Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister, plus another midfielder. Although, their second midfield target is not yet known.
Football Insider back up that claim by revealing how Liverpool are stepping up their chase of Mac Allister. The Merseyside giants are drawing up a major contract offer which will ‘blow Brighton out of the water’.
With Mac Allister’s current Brighton deal expiring in June 2025, the Seagulls are planning to offer him an extension. However, they will not be able to get anywhere near the terms which Liverpool can hand him, setting up the possibility of the World Cup winner heading to Anfield.
Liverpool must fend off two Prem rivals for Mac Allister
It must be noted that Man Utd and Chelsea are also big admirers of Mac Allister. However, their interest in him is not as advanced as Liverpool’s, with Klopp desperate to get the 24-year-old in and start his midfield rebuild.
Mac Allister will not move on the cheap this summer, as Brighton are known to be tough negotiators from previous transfers. But Mac Allister will certainly not cost as much as Bellingham.
While the Dortmund ace has been given a price tag of £120m, Brighton have told Mac Allister’s potential suitors that he can be signed for £70m. A deal at this price would leave Klopp with enough money to get another cheap midfielder in and potentially improve a couple more positions as well.
Mac Allister will likely push to make a Liverpool switch a reality come the end of the season. At the World Cup he showed he has the ability to shine at the highest level and he is therefore ready to test himself out at a major club like Liverpool.
The former Argentinos and Boca Juniors man is grateful for everything Brighton have done for his career. But he knows a transfer to Liverpool is too good of an opportunity to turn down.
It is now up to the Reds to bid £70m for him and complete a deal before Mac Allister ends up going to Man Utd or Chelsea.
NEWCASTLE TO STEAL SIGNING FROM TOTTENHAM
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle are ‘strong contenders’ to land Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, according to one report.
The 30-year-old has long been linked with a move to Tottenham, where he could have reunited with former Inter boss Antonio Conte.
But the manager left his role on March 26, and Spurs are now at serious risk of losing out on Brozovic to Newcastle.
Italian source Milan Web claim Newcastle are preparing to open the bidding for Brozovic after emerging as ‘strong contenders’ for him. Newcastle think an offer worth between €25-30m (£22-26m) will be enough to make Inter sing.
The Serie A giants have previously valued their player at far more than that. But his importance to the team has dropped this campaign, both as a result of injuries and competition for a starting spot.
Due to this, Inter are considering offloading Brozovic in order to increase their transfer kitty, and Newcastle can offer them a perfect selling opportunity.
Making the move more likely is the fact that the Croatia international could push to help it go through. He is ‘very attracted’ by the prospect of playing in the Premier League for the first time.
Brozovic has only played in his native Croatia and Italy so far in his career, so the Premier League represents a big new challenge for him.
Plus, he might not have to drop out of the Champions League as Newcastle are looking like they will qualify for next season’s version of the competition. The Magpies sit third in the Prem, three points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs and boasting a game in hand on the north London club.
Brozovic would be a very good signing for Newcastle to make. He has bags of experience at the top level, having won 85 caps for Croatia and made over 300 appearances for Inter. The midfield enforcer would bring a winning attitude to St James’ Park as well, having won league titles in both Croatia and Inter and also lifted the Coppa Italia.
MAN CITY TRANSFER HOPES OVER
Manchester City will struggle hugely to sign Ben Chilwell from Chelsea after the left wing-back agreed a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Chilwell was first named as a target for City in February. Pep Guardiola had set his sights on the former Leicester man as a replacement for Joao Cancelo, who has gone to Bayern Munich on loan.
City’s interest in Chilwell was backed up by reliable sources such as Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic.
Such a move was always going to be hard to pull off given the huge ambitions of both teams and the fact they are domestic rivals. However, there was genuine belief at City that they could get the deal over the line in the summer window.
Unfortunately for Guardiola, it seems he will no longer be able to snare Chilwell. On Monday, it emerged that the Englishman had verbally agreed a new deal with Chelsea, and the Blues have now announced the contract.
A club statement read: ‘Ben Chilwell has agreed to extend his contract with Chelsea Football Club by a further two years.
‘The new deal, which will keep the 26-year-old at Stamford Bridge until at least the summer of 2027, was finalised today [Tuesday].’
Reacting to the fresh terms, Chilwell said: “I feel very settled at Chelsea and have really enjoyed my time on the pitch here so I’m very pleased the club want me to be part of the project long-term, and am very happy to sign this extension to my contract.
“We are working hard for success and I will do my best to bring more smiles to the faces of the fans who have made me feel so welcome.”
Following news of the contract extension, Guardiola will have to start looking for alternative left-back solutions for City.
Real Madrid full-back Ferland Mendy and Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri have both been tentatively linked, though it remains to be seen if City are willing to spend big on either of those players.