Transfer Gossip: Liverpool thunder into chase for lethal Man Utd target as Klopp admits defeat on costly flop; Newcastle to thwart Barcelona for free agent

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager, delighted

Liverpool have muscled in on Man Utd’s chase for a striker who’s scored 17 in 18 this season, while Newcastle are ‘confident’ they’ll beat Barcelona to a free agent coup and a post-window Fulham exit has been described as a ‘done deal’ – all in Monday’s Transfer Gossip.

LIVERPOOL WANT NAPOLI ACE VICTOR OSIMHEN

The Reds are seemingly ready to admit defeat over summer recruit Darwin Nunez after a report put Jurgen Klopp’s side firmly in the mix for Man Utd target Victor Osimhen.

The Nigeria international, 24, has been simply sensational for Napoli this term. Osimhen has bagged 17 goals in 18 Serie A matches and laid on four assists for his teammates.

Osimhen was on target yet again in Napoli’s 3-0 victory over Cremonese on Sunday night. His goals have helped fire Napoli to a whopping 16-point lead in the Italian top flight.

Osimhen counts Chelsea and Man Utd among his most interested suitors ahead of what’s already shaping up to be a fascinating summer window.

United drafted in Wout Weghorst on loan to fill the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the Dutchman is only a short-term fix and a far higher profile addition at centre-forward will come at season’s end.

Chelsea, meanwhile, still lack a world class striker despite forking out well over half a billion in the last six months. Todd Boehly is keen to rectify the oversight in the summer.

However, according to a report out of Spain (via the Liverpool Echo), the Reds too are sizing Osimhen up despite adding Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo to their ranks in the past two windows.

The report simply states Liverpool’s interest has been aroused, though they’re not alone in joining the race. Their upcoming Champions League Round of 16 opponents, Real Madrid, have also entered the frame.

Napoli are notiously tough negotiators in the market and their president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, recently insisted Osimhen is not for sale.

His statement was rooted in the claim Napoli have zero debts and as such, are under no pressure to sell.

However, every player has a price and given the spending power of those mulling a move, a £100m+ offer would be difficult to turn down.

Osimhen perfect for Man Utd and Liverpool, but what about Nunez?

Aside from his obvious goalscoring exploits, Osimhen is also characterised by being one of the hardest-working forwards in world football.

His tireless efforts while out of possession would be a godsend to both Klopp and Erik ten Hag who rely on their forward line leading the press.

If Liverpool were to ramp up their interest, the future of Darwin Nunez would come under a cloud.

The Uruguayan was signed for a hefty £85m (including future add-ons), though woeful finishing has plagued his time on Merseyside thus far.

Osimhen plays exclusively up front and his potential arrival could result in Nunez being axed, or at the very least pushed out to the left wing or dropped to the bench.

Given the impressive Luis Diaz will re-take his left wing berth when fully fit, Nunez’s time as a starter be be up before it ever truly began.

NEWCASTLE EYEING FREE AGENT COUP

Eddie Howe’s Magpies have been described as ‘confident’ they can secure a move for a free agent being tracked by Liverpool and Barcelona, per a report.

Newcastle have stuttered in the league of late, though still remain inside the top four at present.

A lack of goals have blighted their push for Champions League qualification with just three scored in their last six outings. The end result has been dropped points in five of their last six.

The Northern Echo recently reported a renewed push to sign Leicester’s James Maddison is expected in the summer. Adding a creative force of his calibre would undoubtedly aid Newcastle’s cause in the final third.

However, links to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Daichi Kamada recently arose via 90min and Caught Offside add their take today.

The online outlet claim Newcastle are ‘confident’ they’re leading the race to sign the 26-year-old Japan international who’ll become a free agent at season’s end.

Kamada is an attack-minded central midfielder and has been in superb form this season. He’s bagged seven goals and five assists in 18 Bundesliga outings. Across all competitions, he’s averaging just shy of a goal every other game this term.

Caught Offside note Liverpool and Barcelona are in the mix. The latter are making a habit of prioritising free agent signings given their financial woes. However, it’s Newcastle who believe they are ‘frontrunners’ at present.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed Kamada is a man in demand ahead of the summer. However, despite Newcastle’s early confidence, the transfer guru was keen to stress there’s a long way to go before he can line up at St. James’ Park.

“Daichi Kamada’s contract expires in June, this is why there are many clubs linked and interested,” Romano said.

“Nothing is advanced or decided yet, there are clubs in England, Italy and Germany keeping an eye on him. But the feeling is the decision will be made later this year.”

FULHAM EXIT A ‘DONE DEAL’

Finally, a post-window Fulham exit has been described as a ‘done deal’, with Marco Silva wasting no time in axing a player signed just last summer.

Right-back Kevin Mbabu arrived from Wolfsburg for around £6m in the summer. However, the writing was on the wall when an injury to Kenny Tete did not result in significant game-time for the Swiss international.

Instead, manager Silva opted to deploy winger Bobby Decordova-Reid out of position when Tete was sidelined throughout October.

That led to rampant speculation Mbabu would be turfed out in January, especially with Fulham going on to add depth in the form of Arsenal’s Cedric Soares on loan.

Mbabu would ultimately remain at Craven Cottage, though per Romano, not for much longer.

The Swiss winter window doesn’t close until February 15 and as such, their sides are still able to make signings from leagues whose deadlines have already passed.

Geneve Servette have done exactly that, per Romano, with a six-month loan for Mbabu described as a ‘done deal’.

Romano tweeted: “Kevin Mbabu leaves Fulham, done deal. Agreement completed and now set to be signed with Swiss side Geneve Servette on loan until June.

“Understand medical tests will take place today [Monday] — Mbabu is already in Geneva and documents are 100 percent ready. Confirmed.”