Transfer Gossip: Liverpool launch €60m Real Madrid raid as Bellingham squeezes out dream Klopp signing; Aston Villa ready mammoth offer for Man Utd struggler
Liverpool await a response from Real Madrid following a huge offer for a classy midfielder, Aston Villa are planning a hefty swoop for an unwanted Manchester United man, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip claims Man City will make a £70m star their first signing of the summer.
KLOPP MAKES LIVERPOOL TRANSFER BID FOR AURELIEN TCHOUAMENI
Liverpool are likely to see a firm offer to Real Madrid for Aurelien Tchouameni waved away, according to reports in Spain.
The Reds are looking to strengthen their midfield this summer and have several high-calibre targets in mind. And a deal for the first of those, in Alexis Mac Allister is on the brink of being confirmed with Fabrizio Romano giving it the full Here We Go confirmation.
Incredibly, Liverpool will pay a tiny £35m fee for the World Cup winner – a fee far smaller than initially expected. We revealed the finer details of his move here with Mac Allister also snubbing a late Manchester United hijack.
And with plenty of money still in the bank, Liverpool have turned their focus to additional quality signings.
Several names are reportedly on their shopping list, with the likes of Nicolo Barella, Kouadio Kone and Khephren Thuram all linked.
However, reports in Spain claim Jurgen Klopp’s next offer is actually being made for Real Madrid schemer Tchouameni.
The France star was the subject of a Liverpool approach last summer, only for the 23-year-old to choose Real Madrid instead.
He’s made a big impression at the Bernabeu, featuring in 50 matches across all competitions this season.
But after just one season, his place in the side is seemingly under threat from the arrival of Jude Bellingham.
Los Blancos are paying Borussia Dortmund €100m (£86m) for the 19-year-old England star.
And he is expected to slot straight into their midfield alongside the likes of Luka Modric, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga.
READ MORE: Does big-money Bellingham deal prove there is still €100m bargains?
Real Madrid to send Liverpool transfer offer packing
As a result, Liverpool are reportedly ready to offer Real their investment back for Tchouameni.
To that end, Klopp and Co have launched a €60m (£51.6m) bid to bring Tchouameni to Anfield.
However, it seems Real Madrid have no desire to cash in on the former Monaco man. And it’s reported they will quickly respond to Klopp’s offer by informing the Liverpool boss that Tchaouameni is not for sale.
Furthermore, while veteran stars Modric and Toni Kroos will likely hang around for another year, Carlo Ancelotti sees Tchouameni as having a big future in Madrid.
And the club reportedly sees a midfield three of Bellingham, Tchouameni and Valverde as the way forward in years to come.
The news will leave Liverpool going back to the drawing board. And with the Reds seeking another two additions, it seems Kone, Barella and Thuram will now come more sharply into focus.
READ MORE: The 64 midfielders Liverpool have been linked with in the transfer gossip columns this summer
HARRY MAGUIRE ON ASTON VILLA’S SHOPPING LIST
Aston Villa are to rival Tottenham for the signature of Harry Maguire.
The Manchester United defender has been cleared to leave this summer after falling down the pecking order.
Already fourth choice behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof, the signing of Kim Min-jae will officially spell the end for the 30-year-old.
Indeed, Ten Hag has also showed a tendency to call upon Luke Shaw to fill in at centre-half at times this season.
As a result, the £80m man finds himself in an untenable position.
And while United will lose as much as £50m on their initial investment, the club appear ready to sanction his sale.
Tottenham were reportedly leading the chase as Ange Postecoglou looks to rebuild his defence.
However, Football Insider now reports that it is Aston Villa who are making the first move to sign the 55-times capped England star.
They have been keen on Maguire since January and are now ready to make a formal approach.
Unai Emery has around £150m to spend on new signings this summer and sees Maguire as a key addition. Furthermore, the star’s apparent £170,000 a week wage demands are unlikely to be an issue for Villa.
Emery’s side also want to sign Spain defender Pau Torres from Villarreal. And the duo could form an impressive new central defensive partnership at Villa Park next season.
READ MORE: Aston Villa ‘offered’ four-goal Chelsea star as Emery ponders club record bid for Pochettino reject
MAN CITY LAUNCH GIANT OFFER FOR JOSKO GVARDIOL
Manchester City are making preparations for what they hope will be another major trophy haul next season.
Pep Guardiola’s side are busy preparing for Saturday’s Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. However, work is already going on behind the scenes to further strengthen their squad for the 2023/24 campaign.
And their first capture could well be impressive RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
The Croatian has emerged as one of the world’s elite centre-halves despite being just 21-years-old.
Standing 6ft 1, he operates on the left-side of central defence and can also cover at left-back.
He has a whopping €100m exit clause in his contract at Leipzig. However, that does not come into play until summer 2024.
And reports in Germany claim Leipzig may not want to wait that long. To that end, they are seemingly open to his sale this year.
Now 90min report that Manchester City are preparing a colossal offer to test Leipzig’s resolve.
Competition comes from Real Madrid for the 21-times capped star.
However, Los Blancos’ focus will likely turn to strengthening their attack next, with Harry Kane a prime target.
That could well leave City as sole suitors for Gvardiol and a fee of around £70m could clinch the deal.
Gvardiol has made 88 appearances across two seasons with Leipzig, scoring five times.
