Transfer Gossip: Liverpool move for Lazio star as Klopp eyes £142m triple deal to transform Reds; Leeds clear path for star man to make early exit

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ciro Immobile, Lazio, September 2022

Liverpool are ready to turn to a star Lazio man after being priced out for an Inter star, Mauricio Pochettino wants a €60m midfielder as his first Chelsea signing, while the Leeds United exodus is set to begin following Premier League relegation.

KLOPP TARGETS LIVERPOOL MOVE FOR MILINKOVIC-SAVIC

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is ready to turn his attention to Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer amid claims of a bargain transfer.

The Reds boss is ready to rebuild his midfield after a difficult 2022/23 season that saw Liverpool finish fifth.

And with James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all moving on, Liverpool have a number of positions to fill.

But a quickfire double deal to kickstart their summer is seemingly taking shape.

Indeed, moves for Ruben Neves and Alexis Mac Allister are very much gathering pace for the Merseysiders.

They will pay £69.4m for Mac Allister from Brighton, while Wolves are willing to accept a £50m move for Neves.

The latest on the double midfield coup – together with Klopp’s optimism for next season – are detailed here.

However, Klopp also wants a third midfield signing for Liverpool this summer to transform the look of their side.

To that end, Klopp has reportedly been casting admiring glances towards Inter powerhouse Nicolo Barella. He has been a huge factor in the Nerazzurri’s rise to the Champions League final, with Manchester City certainly needing to be on guard against him on June 10.

Prising him away from Inter will not be easy, despite Inter’s apparent need to sell. Per the latest reports, Liverpool will need to fork out a €100m (£86.8m) fee for his services.

Milinkovic-Savic features strongly on Liverpool radar

That figure seems too costly for the Reds and more than they are willing to pay. And rather than haggle over a fee, it seems Liverpool are prepared to simply walk away.

However, they will seemingly have a lot more luck by switching focus to Lazio star Milinkovic-Savic.

The Serbian has proved one of Serie A’s elite midfielders for a good few years now.

But with his deal in the Italian capital due to expire in a year, a cut-price exit appears to be on the cards.

Per growing interest from Liverpool, Calciomercato claims they will need a mere €26m (£22.6m) to get a deal done.

Given his record of 13 goals and eight assists this season, he boasts an excellent record from midfield – and all for a bargain fee.

And the triple midfield signing of Neves, Mac Allister and Milinkovic-Savic will give Liverpool’s midfield a transformative new look next season.

The trio will bring new energy and vigour to the engine room – and also a solid thrust forwards and eye for goal.

That is something they have badly lacked this season, but seem certain to address, and then some, this summer.

The trio will cost a combined £142m, with Klopp feeling he’s getting good value for money.

READ MORE: The five midfielders heavily linked with Liverpool and how they compare in 2022/23: Mac Allister, Mount…

LEEDS WILLING TO LISTEN TO OFFERS FOR JACK HARRISON

Leeds United are open to the idea of selling Jack Harrison this summer as the club prepares for life back in the Championship.

The Whites eventually fell on their sword on Sunday after a long, frustrating and arduous season. And with 21 losses from their 38 matches played, few would argue that Leeds did not deserve it.

And they return to the second tier with plenty of uncertainty around the club. As it stands, they lack a manager and a director of football, while serious questions remain over their ownership with majority shareholder and chairman Andrea Radrizzani set to buy Serie A Sampdoria.

There is also serious debate around the future of several star names at Elland Road, with multiple exits likely to be on the cards.

But one of the first out the exit door could be winger Jack Harrison.

He only signed a new deal at Leeds in February in the wake of a failed January move to Leicester.

An industrious player, he is always someone who gives maximum effort even when not as his best.

Nonetheless, with with 21 goals and 16 assists across the last three seasons, he is a player likely to be in demand.

West Ham and Newcastle are among those reportedly keen – with Leeds valuing the player at around the £35m mark.

And per Leeds Live, they will not stand in his way if the right offer comes in.

READ MORE: Ten players likely to leave Leeds Utd after relegation from the Premier League: Meslier, Adams, Gnonto…

POCHETTINO WANTS MANUEL UGARTE AS FIRST CHELSEA SIGNING

Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly told Chelsea he wants to make the capture of Manuel Ugarte his first business at Stamford Bridge.

The Uruguayan has enjoyed an excellent season with Sporting Lisbon, with some dazzling displays both in Portugal and European competition.

The queue of clubs looking to prise the 22-year-old defensive midfielder away from Lisbon appears to be growing as a result.

PSG, Aston Villa and Liverpool are among those to cast admiring glances his way.

But trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano claims it is Chelsea who appear to be leading the chase.

The Blues will this week officially welcome Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager on a three-year deal from July 1.

But he will begin work right away in order to strengthen a struggling squad that could only finish 12th.

Manuel Ugarte Sporting Lisbon during the 5-0 win over C Braga at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal

And Romano claims Pochettino’s admiration for Ugarte is clear.

The journalist wrote: “Understand Manuel Ugarte has been approved as target also by Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino #CFC

“Chelsea are pushing in talks with club and player side, Jorge Mendes’ on it.

“PSG proposal, still valid on the table.

“No decision yet, but Chelsea will keep insisting.”

Per reports, Sporting will demand a fee of around €60m (£52m) for Ugarte.

READ MOREPochettino willing to hand Chelsea outcast lifeline as summer rebuild starts to take shape