Transfer Gossip: Man Utd gatecrash £60m Liverpool deal with second transfer taking shape; Chelsea vs Man City for France international

Man Utd are stepping up their pursuit of a £60m-rated Liverpool target whose move is being facilitated by a second deal, while it’s Chelsea vs Man City for a France international and there’s another blow to Liverpool’s midfield rebuild – all in Friday’s Transfer Gossip.

LIVERPOOL MOVE THREATENED BY MAN UTD

A Liverpool move for a £60m-rated midfield destroyer who’s already proven himself in the Premier League is under threat from Man Utd, per a report.

The Reds are poised to embark on a full scale midfield rebuild this summer. Arthur Melo (loan expiry), Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (both free agents) will all leave. Vice-captain James Milner may be ousted too if Klopp’s calls for a new 12-month contract aren’t heeded by Liverpool’s money men.

With a Jude Bellingham move now resigned to the scrapheap, Liverpool must turn their attention elsewhere. One of many players who’ve been repeatedly linked is Fulham’s Joao Palhinha.

The Portugal international has been a revelation at Craven Cottage ever since his £20m arrival from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

Palhinha is a one-man wrecking ball in the engine room and has quickly earned a reputation as being an opposing playmaker’s worst nightmare.

However, his exploits – that also include scoring four goals – have not gone unnoticed. Indeed, the Daily Mail, Sun and GiveMeSport have all confirmed Liverpool hold interest in a player who’d make an instant impact an Anfield.

However, according to a fresh update from the Sun, any Liverpool move could be gatecrashed by Man Utd.

Man Utd move could come within weeks

The Red Devils are ‘monitoring’ the player’s situation and it’s ‘anticipated United will make their move in the coming weeks’.

Aiding their cause is the claim Fulham are already looking to future in the knowledge an offer of around £60m will be too good to ignore.

On that front, manager Marco Silva is deemed a ‘big fan’ of FC Porto and Colombia midfielder, Mateus Uribe.

The 32-year-old can be signed as a free agent at season’s end, meaning Fulham would land their Palhinha replacement and have around £60m to strengthen other positions too.

Fulham are understood to have already ‘made contact’ with both Porto and Uribe’s camp. He can sign a pre-contract agreement at any time given he’s entered the final six months of his deal, though that’s only likely to happen if it becomes apparent Palhinha is definitely leaving first.

Atletico Madrid and Lazio also like what they see from Uribe, though the lure of the Premier League could prove difficult to ignore.

With a replacement signing already taking shape, the seeds are being sowed for a Palhinha exit and Liverpool are at risk of being usurped by Man Utd.

MAN CITY VS CHELSEA FOR MONACO ROCK

Chelsea and Man City have taken matching steps in pursuit of a France international who’s gunning for a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs, per a report.

City and Chelsea don’t lack for options at centre-half, though that’s not stopping them from sizing up another star who’d make them even sturdier at the back.

That’s according to French outlet Le Parisien, with both sides circling over Monaco’s Axel Disasi.

The 25-year-old is among Ligue 1’s finest in his position and has been a veritable ‘rock’ in the current campaign. Aside from his defensive prowess, he also impacts the game at the opposite end, with six goals and four assists notched across all competitions this term.

Via TheHardTackle, it’s revealed both Man City and Chelsea have stepped up their scouting efforts on Disasi. A summer swoop is now a distinct possibility for each side.

Aiding their respective causes is the claim Disasi hopes to earn a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Explaining why, it’s revealed he hopes doing so will help him catch the eye of Didier Deschamps and thus become more of a regular starter for the French national side.

Disasi currently has three caps to his name. However, displacing the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba, to name just three, is difficult while playing for Monaco who aren’t regulars in the Champions League.

Chelsea and City are both deemed ‘keen’ to add Disasi to their ranks. Of the two, it’s suggested Chelsea are the likeliest to act on their interest.

The Daily Mail previously reported Disasi is valued around the £44m (€50m) mark.

CHELSEA TO PILE MORE MISERY ON LIVERPOOL

Another potential Liverpool midfield deal could go up in smoke, with Chelsea the root cause of their issues on this occasion, per a report.

Fabrizio Romano recently claimed Liverpool will look to add five new signings this summer. Three new midfielders are wanted, while additions could also come at centre-half and right-back.

With Bellingham off the table, Liverpool’s interest in Mason Mount has assumed greater significance. The Chelsea midfielder is out of contract in the summer of 2024 and the Telegraph recently reported talks over a new deal hit a stalemate.

Mount subsequently appointed Neil Fewings of the ROOF agency to help explore his options in the market. However, according to 90min, there’s a ‘renewed sense of optimism’ Mount will ultimately sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

A fresh round of talks between Mount’s camp and Chelsea have reportedly been scheduled. The Blues believe their grand plans under Todd Boehly will be enough to convince Mount to stay. Front and centre in those plans is the appointment of a high profile new manager.

Luis Enrique has already interviewed for the job and is understood to have impressed. However, BILD claimed on Thursday Julian Nagelsmann will get that very same opportunity after rejecting the chance to join Tottenham.

Another potential blow to Liverpool is Sky Sports’ claim Chelsea will demand £70m for Mount if forced to cash in this summer. The initial expectation was a deal could be struck for closer to £50m.