Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including the latest developments on Khephren Thuram, Federico Valverde, Nicolo Barella, Ryan Gravenberch and Romeo Lavia
Hello and welcome to ECHO’s Liverpool news and transfer blog on Wednesday 21st June.
After seeing Jude Bellingham join Real Madrid in the summer, Liverpool have reportedly launched a genuine bid to snap up Fede Valverde. Although he has been a key player for Real in recent years, that status could now be under threat after Bellingham joined the Uruguayans at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In their spell as midfielders, the Reds remain linked with Nicolo Barella, Gabri Veiga and Ryan Gravenberch after signing Argentine playmaker Alexis Mac Allister for an undisclosed fee.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Reds are now favorites to sign Barella from Inter Milan. United have ‘presented an improved offer’ for Mount.
Manchester United have reportedly offered an improved offer worth up to £50m for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.
That’s according to David Ornstein of The Athletic, who reports that Chelsea hit back and demanded a transfer fee of £60million plus £5million in surcharges.
United’s offer consists of a £45m entry fee plus £5m in add-ons, according to the report.
Saudi official claims Salah move to Liverpool
Mohamed Salah could move to Saudi Arabia in the future if an Asian Football Confederation and Saudi Pro League official has his way.
The Public Investment Fund, which owns 80% of Newcastle United, announced earlier this month that it had taken over Saudi Arabia’s top four clubs – Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, Al Nassr and Al Hilal. Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr earlier this year before the PIF takeover, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante since joining Al Ittihad and Ruben Neves just completing a move to Al Hilal.
And while Lionel Messi, Romelu Lukaku and Son Heung-min, as well as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as manager, have all refused to move to Saudi Arabia, Neymar, Bernardo Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Wilfried Zaha is justified Some of the names would still consider such moves themselves.
Hafez Al-Medlej has held several senior positions in the Asian Football Confederation and the Saudi Professional League, including being recently appointed as the head of the AFC’s marketing committee and as a director. And as he defended the Saudi League’s transfer ambitions, insisting it wasn’t just a last day’s pay for the players, he explained they would have to work on a transfer to lure Mohamed Salah away from Liverpool.
Liverpool ‘likely to make offer for Thuram’
Liverpool are set to make a bid for OGC Nice midfielder and France international Khephren Thuram after the European U-21 Championship.
That’s what Nice-Matin reports on Get French Football News and reports that Liverpool are keen for the 22-year-old France international to strengthen their revamped midfield.
ECHO have long reported that Thuram is now top of Liverpool’s shortlist as the club plan to add more midfielders following the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
Gravenberch “Asking price”
Liverpool are set to pay 25 million euros to sign Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich this summer.
The Dutchman was considered one of Europe’s brightest talents when he arrived at the Allianz Arena last summer. Bayern have rejected interest from Real Madrid and several Premier League clubs to sign him for around £20m.
Gravenberch has been selected by the Reds, ECHO said, although a sticking point is likely to be Bayern’s reluctance to part ways with the Dutchman.
But according to the Spanish outlet Fichajes, the price of the midfielder is 25 million euros, and in addition to Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are also interested.
Claims for the transfer of Barella
Newcastle United are reportedly currently £30m off Inter’s valuation of Nicolò Barella.
This was reported by the Independent, according to which Newcastle could turn to Sandro Tonali from Milan, even if negotiations are underway for Barella. The report also said Liverpool are similarly interested in Barella but still believe the price tag is currently too high.
