Liverpool manager Arne Slot has found a new centre-back and winger worth a total of €90m, Arsenal are hoping to sign the standout Girona winger and Tottenham and Napoli are set to discuss a €30m move for the midfielder .
Slot does not determine Liverpool’s number 1 defensive target
Liverpool are reportedly set to make a major approach to sign Goncalo Inacio this summer after manager Arne Slott decided the Sporting Lisbon star would be his top central defensive target this summer.
The Merseysiders are gearing up for a bright new era at Anfield with Slot the man chosen to replace the iconic Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager. And the Dutchman, who has money to spend, has decided after speaking with Michael Edwards that there are three priorities he needs to strengthen this summer: a left central defender, a new holding midfielder and a new striker.
As for a new midfielder, Liverpool have decided that last summer’s signing of Wataru Endo is nothing more than a short-term fix with the club now planning a move for his replacement. To that end, it was reported on Saturday that Manchester United have contacted FC Porto to sign Argentine star Allan Barella.
But he may not be the only player to move to Anfield from the Portuguese Primeira Liga this summer, with Manchester United also ready to increase their interest in signing Sporting centre-back Inacio.
The 22-year-old has developed into one of the best young defenders in the world game and fits perfectly with Liverpool’s need to sign a young, dominant but crucially left-sided central defender this summer.
His release clause is set at €60m (£51.1m), an alarming price for both Liverpool and Manchester United this summer.
However, it is Liverpool who are showing the greatest interest and a firm move to secure his services is now set to begin, reports Fabrizio Romano.
Boasting outstanding composure on the ball, Inacio finished the season averaging two clearances and 1.4 tackles per game and a passing accuracy of 89.4%. Inacio has made 171 appearances for Sporting CP and is a two-time champion. Of Portugal.
Slots step up quest to bring Lyon star to Liverpool
Liverpool have also reportedly increased their interest in signing Rayan Cherki this summer as they consider his long-term future after Mo Salah.
The Egyptian is expected to remain at Anfield this summer despite continued interest from Saudi Arabia. But with his contract expiring in the summer of 2025, Liverpool know they will have to consider a long-term successor to their goal-hungry superstar sometime soon.
Now reports in France have suggested that Slot has recommended Liverpool’s board look at Cherki as someone who could one day replace their talismanic star.
From Leroy Sane to Federico Chiesa, costly options have been touted as successors.
But Liverpool are also looking to build for the future and have looked at several young wing options, including Leeds’ Crisencio Somerville and PSV star Johan Bakayoko.
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However, reports in France suggest that Cherki is emerging as a serious option for a move to Anfield, with Lyon being approached to find out how much it would cost to land and sign the 20-year-old.
Cherki is valued at around €30m and has attracted interest from Tottenham, Chelsea and PSG.
And with the player’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2025, Lyon know this summer may be their last chance to command a hefty transfer fee for the France youth international.
Barcelona verdict on attack on Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes
Barcelona have ruled out a deal for Bruno Fernandes after deciding they had other priorities to sign this summer. Manchester United value the Portuguese star at €60 million but have made it clear they do not want to negotiate a sale for the Portuguese playmaker. (Mateo Moretto)
Chelsea’s new manager Enzo Maresca has added Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles to his list of targets. That’s because TEAMtalk revealed that the Italian wants to sell Robert Sánchez. (various)
Newcastle expect to sign Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer within a few days and have no fear of losing the player in the same way Tosin Adarabioyo was at Chelsea. (Fabrizio Romano)
Juventus are exploring a swap deal that could see Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Lewis and former Leeds midfielder Weston McKennie swap places this summer. (Sky Italy)
Aston Villa have also contacted Denzel Dumfries’ representatives as they prepare a formal offer for the Inter Milan right wing-back, who is valued at €30 million. (Tuto Sports)
West Ham are ready to launch a bid to sign winger Jota Silva – worth up to €20m – from Vitoria Guimaras, the winger who has scored 15 goals and added seven assists this season. (Abola)
Atletico Madrid have made it clear they will not entertain offers for winger Samu Omorodion, who has starred for Alaves this season. The 20-year-old striker is reportedly wanted by Tottenham and Aston Villa for a fee worth €30m. (Mateo Moretto)
Aston Villa are considering a deal for Lazio’s Matteo Guendouzi or soon-to-be free agent Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot as they look to further strengthen their squad ahead of the Champions League. (various)
Conte wants to sign Tottenham star for Napoli
New Napoli manager Antonio Conte has made reuniting with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg a priority as Napoli boss and is urging the Serie A side to meet Tottenham’s €30m (£25.6m) asking price for the Dane. (Coriedello Sports)
AC Milan are set to make Feyenoord’s Santiago Jimenez their top striker target after interest in Joshua Zirczy and Benjamin Cesco cooled recently. (Milan News)
Villarreal are in talks to sign Galatasaray striker Nicolo Zaniolo on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy. Napoli are also exploring a possible €15 million deal for the Italian striker, who spent the 2023/24 season on loan from Aston Villa. (Mateo Moretto)
New Barcelona coach Hansi Flick will make Joshua Kimmich his top target this summer and will return with a better offer for the Bayern Munich star after his initial offer fell short. The German star is open to a move to the Nou Camp ahead of fellow Manchester City interest. (sports)
Flick is also determined to sign Nico Williams this summer and has urged Barcelona’s board to find a way to fund the Athletic Bilbao striker’s €50m transfer clause. (sports)
Borussia Dortmund have suffered a blow in their efforts to sign loan star Ian Maatsen on a permanent deal after learning they do not have exclusive rights to sign him and could sign him if Chelsea’s £35m (€41m) withdrawal clause applies. met. (kicker)
Real Madrid are planning to finally finalize Kylian Mbappe’s free transfer deal, finalize new deals for Luka Modric and Lucas Vázquez and sign Josero on a permanent deal. (Fabrizio Romano)
Arsenal in talks to sign €30m LALIGA winger
Arsenal have opened ‘negotiations’ with Girona over a contract after winger Viktor Chigankov scored eight goals and added seven assists in 30 games to help Michel’s side qualify for the Champions League. AC Milan are also interested in the Ukrainian, who has a €30m (£25.6m) release clause in his contract. (like)
Arsenal are keen to sign Viktor Chigankov from Girona.
Leeds midfielder Marc Roca is on the verge of extending his loan deal with Real Betis for a second season after his sale plans fell through due to the West Yorkshire club’s failure to gain promotion to the Premier League. (El Desmarque)
New Major League Soccer (MLS) side San Diego are ready to make PSV Eindhoven and Mexican winger Hirving Lozano, 28, their first major arrival. (ESPN)
Brest have agreed to sell defender Lilian Brassier to AC Milan for up to €12m. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Girona are exploring a surprise move to sign unwanted Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso, who looks set to leave the Nou Camp this summer. (Relebo)
AC Milan wants to appoint Lille manager and former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca, 51, as their new manager to replace the departing Stefano Pioli. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Arsenal are willing to offer Napoli cash and two players – Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe – as part of a swap deal for striker Victor Osimhen. His asking price of €120m (£102m) has proven problematic for the Gunners. (various)
