LIVE Transfer Talk: Liverpool to trigger Betis youngster Firpo’s £45m release clause

Blog - Transfer Talk, Blog Post, Clubs, Júnior Firpo, Liverpool, Real Betis, Transfers
Craig Burley makes the case that Atletico Madrid and France star Antoine Greizmann would be just what Liverpool need to challenge Manchester City further next season.

The Premier League transfer window is open. Click here to review all the latest transfers. And keep up to date with the latest gossip below.

When does the window open in Europe? | QUIZ: Which club should you join?

TOP STORY: Firpo to bolster Liverpool’s back-line?

Liverpool could make Junior Firpo their first signing of the summer transfer window to replace Alberto Moreno, Spanish publication Sport reports. 

Andrew Robertson‘s brilliant form in 2018-19 meant that minutes were few and far between for Moreno, who has been linked with a move away from the Champions League winners.

Should the Spaniard depart, Jurgen Klopp’s side will be sorely lacking for cover at left-back, which could be where Firpo comes in. The 22-year-old Real Betis defender has a £45 million release clause in his contract, and it’s understood that Liverpool are ready to trigger it.

On whether Liverpool were prepared to spend huge sums of money in the market, Klopp recently said: “Liverpool is an ambitious club and if we didn’t spend the same amount of money as others, we wouldn’t be able to compete.”

LIVE BLOG

08.27 BST: Manchester City are on the verge of signing veteran Spanish goalkeeper Asier Riesgo, according to Marca.

Riesgo’s contract with La Liga side Eibar ends on June 30 and the 35-year-old will sign a one-year contract to become City’s third-choice keeper. He was Eibar’s No. 2 last season and, according to Marca, at City he will double his wages.

As part of the deal agreed with City, the Spaniard could become a goalkeeping coach at City’s academy when he retires. Key to the move is Xabi Mancisidor, City’s goalkeeping coach, who knows Riesgo after working with him at Real Sociedad.

08.00 BST: Aaron Wan-Bissaka is finding his prospective move to Manchester United “difficult to cope with,” England under-21 coach Aidy Boothroyd believes.

Crystal Palace right-back Wan-Bissaka is currently out with the England squad at the European U21 Championship, where he scored an own goal in Tuesday’s defeat to France. Sources have told ESPN FC that Palace are becoming frustrated with the way United are handling the talks over a potential £50-60m deal.

Speaking ahead of England U21s’ match against Romania on Friday, Boothroyd is quoted as saying in the Daily Telegraph when asked if Wan-Bissaka was affected by the interest: “I could dodge it by saying ‘You have to ask him that’ but I won’t.

“I think when you are nearly going to move and all the things that would go through an older person’s head, who is more experienced in life, it would be difficult for them to cope with.

“For a young player who all he knows is Crystal Palace academy, Crystal Palace first team. it would be daft not to say that in some way he must think about it. I would not be truthful if I told you anything other than that.

“What I will say is because he doesn’t say too much so you don’t get to find out too much. Aaron keeps things to himself. He is a very private guy. When that speculation is flying around it is bound to turn your head. But having said all of that had he not scored the own goal we probably would be having this conversation.”

When does the transfer window close?
Check out all the completed transfers

PAPER TALK (by Steve Wright): Costa tells United he’s not interested

Juventus forward Douglas Costa has insisted that he is happy to stay put at the Serie A side amid speculation that he would be moving to Manchester United, the Express reports. 

Should Costa be sent to Old Trafford against his will, it’s likely that he would be part of a player-plus-cash deal with Paul Pogba going the other way.

However, the 28-year-old left his immediate future up in the air when he responded to the subject of playing in the Premier League by saying: “Maybe one day. But I don’t think I will leave now. I have three more years at Juventus. Right now, I do not have any option to get out of Juventus. We have a new coach and I look forward to working with him.”

Destination Manchester (City) for Maguire?

Manchester City may be set to intercept their city rivals with the acquisition of Harry Maguire from Leicester City, according to The Mirror

The media have made no secret of United’s intentions to sign the England international in recent weeks, but their neighbours look ready to act fast with a £65m bid.

With Vincent Kompany leaving the Premier League champions to return to RSC Anderlecht in a player manager role, Pep Guardiola is understandably keen to fill the significant gap the Belgian’s departure will leave behind.

Currently, City’s record signing is a £60m fee spent on Riyad Mahrez, formerly of Leicester, last summer, so should they meet the Foxes valuation for Maguire, he will become the club’s most expensive player.

Tap-ins

– Manchester United are expected to get a £60m deal for Crystal Palace full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka across the line, with the clubs scheduled to meet before the end of the week, the Daily Mail understands. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has targeted the 21-year-old for some time, and the move should finally be completed in the coming days.

The Telegraph reports that Tottenham Hotspur have held talks with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes. The 24-year-old is also on Manchester United’s radar, so neither club can afford to slack in chasing his signature. The Portuguese international is likely to leave for a sum of around £45m.

Products You May Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *