Paper Talk: Liverpool target Bournemouth man to solve two problem positions

Lloyd Kelly

Liverpool are in the market for a versatile Bournemouth defender, Tottenham are chasing a Colombian winger and Man City’s David Alaba hopes have been raised, according to Thursday’s paper gossip.

 

LLOYD KELLY ON LIVERPOOL RADAR

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has targeted a deal for Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly.

The Reds were keen on Kelly last summer but missed out to the Cherries who sealed a £13m deal.

Now the former Bristol City man could be on the move again following Bournemouth’s relegation.

The Daily Express reckons Liverpool have already made an approach for the England Under-21 star.

Kelly, rated in the £20m bracket, usually plays at centre-half but also comfortable covering at left-back. These are the two positions Klopp wants to cover as top priorities this summer. Dejan Lovren left the club this week to join Zenit St Petersburg in a £10.9m deal. That’s left Klopp with just three central defenders, meaning a fourth is needed.

In addition, Klopp needs more cover for Andy Robertson at left-back. The Reds do have Yasser Larouci coming through but he is tipped to leave this summer with a move to Leeds suggested.

Kelly, however, has struggled with fitness issues this season and didn’t make his league debut for Bournemouth until June.

 

When asked which was Kelly’s best position, Eddie Howe said: “I think both positions for us at the moment. I wouldn’t say one or the other – he can play both very well.

“We have seen that, albeit in his very short time with us, when he’s trained.

“From full-back he’s really good athletically, he uses the ball well and is strong and good in the air – has lots of good qualities.

“At centre-back the same qualities show and his use of the ball is very good.”

 

TOTTENHAM KEEN ON LUIS DIAZ

Luis Diaz

Tottenham are keen on Colombian winger Luis Diaz, who has caught the eye with Porto this season. (The Sun)

Kepa Arrizabalaga is resigned to never playing for Chelsea again. Deputy Willy Caballero looks set to face Arsenal in the FA Cup final. (The Sun)

Wilfried Zaha fears being priced out of the market by Crystal Palace for a second year running. (The Sun)

Jan Vertonghen has hinted that he could stay in the Premier League following his departure from Tottenham. (The Sun)

England keeper Joe Hart is odds-on to join Scottish champions Celtic. (The Sun)

Millwall are closing in on a season-long loan for Tottenham’s strike starlet Troy Parrott. (The Sun)

Manchester City have received a major transfer boost after David Alaba’s talks with Bayern Munich hit a stalemate. (The Sun)

Brazil star Hulk is listening to offers from the Premier League ahead of a free transfer in January. That’s when his contract in China comes to an end. (The Sun)

Manchester United remain hopeful of a deal for Jadon Sancho despite reports he would prefer Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United have joined the race to sign Lille’s Gabriel Magalhaes. Everton, Arsenal, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain have also made contact for the £20m-rated defender. (Daily Mirror)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future at Arsenal could rest on FA Cup success. Failure to win will see the Gunners miss out on Europe altogether. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool are closing in on taking Manchester United’s crown as the most valuable club in the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will decide in the coming days which Manchester United youngsters will be allowed to leave on loan. (Daily Star)

Chelsea have identified Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico and Atalanta left-back Robin Gosens as alternatives to Ben Chilwell. (Daily Star)

 

 

 

AND MORE GOSSIP

Pau Torres

 

Manchester United will have to pay Pau Torres’ release clause if they are to prise him from Villarreal. (Daily Star)

Liverpool could be set for another tug of war with Egypt over Mohamed Salah ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. (Daily Star)

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has inspired Hernan Crespo to take a job in the Premier League. (Daily Star)

Manchester United have put the club’s Europa League campaign at risk by allowing their stars to go on holiday abroad this week. (Daily Mail)

Leading clubs are lobbying UEFA to allow them to return home between matches when they play in the Champions League and Europa League next month. (Daily Mail)

David Silva is not short of options after leaving Manchester City. Inter Miami, former club Valencia and a team in Dubai are all options. (Daily Mail)

Watford are to hold talks with Serbian Vladimir Ivic over becoming their new head coach. (Daily Mail)

The FA Cup-winning squad will not be allowed to climb the famous Wembley steps to lift the trophy on Saturday. (Daily Mail)

Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng has admitted he would consider a return to the Premier League. (Daily Mail)

Inter Milan are keen to sign Alexis Sanchez on a permanent transfer. The deal, however, could hinge on Manchester United’s willingness to give him a pay-off. (Daily Telegraph)

West Ham manager David Moyes is hoping to land a deal for QPR left-back Ryan Manning this summer. (Daily Telegraph)