Paper Talk: Liverpool turn 35-goal striker’s head as £35m contract offer is tabled; Tottenham plan bid for Napoli hero
Liverpool are planning an unexpected approach for a striker also linked with Tottenham, a France star has addressed claims he’s wanted at Chelsea, while Thursday’s transfer gossip claims Spurs are planning a move for a top-quality Napoli player.
VLAHOVIC LINKED WITH LIVERPOOL MOVE
Liverpool are reportedly leading now leading the chase to sign Fiorentina sensation Dusan Vlahovic.
The 21-year-old opted to remain in Serie A this summer, despite strong interest from Tottenham and transfer chief Fabio Paratici.
As a result, Fiorentina are looking to tie down their 35-goal striker to a new contract. Still, his current deal runs out in the summer of 2023 so there is time to find an agreement.
However, their early efforts to tie him down have so far been met with failure. As per the Daily Mirror, their efforts to offer him a huge five-year deal, worth £35m to the player, have been rejected.
And it gets worse for the La Viola. Indeed, there are now reports emerging that Vlahovic – who struck 21 times in 37 Serie A games last season – has had his head turned by Liverpool.
And it’s feared a significant 2022 offer from the Reds will leave Fiorentina with no option but to sell before his asking price reduces.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wants to pep up his attack and find a new vocal point in place of Roberto Firmino.
And Vlahovic, who has 35 goals in 91 games overall, could fit the bill.
Fiorentina chief admits Vlahovic exit fears
Addressing concerns that Vlahovic may leave, Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso said: “I don’t know if he’ll sign, let’s all just stay calm.
“We’ve been working on it for months, some days are more positive than others. I speak to Dusan and he says he’s only focusing on the pitch and I should talk to his agents. Then I talk to his agents and they say I have to speak to the player.
“His agent should come to Florence, he is the one doing the negotiations. What I will say is that this would be the highest salary ever given to a Fiorentina player. That includes Gabriel Batistuta and Manuel Rui Costa.
“I told Dusan that he is taking a huge risk not signing this deal. We are offering him a five-year contract worth €40million (£35m). I had to work a whole year to earn what he would in two or three days. I don’t know how football reached this stage.”
TOTTENHAM READY APPROACH FOR INSIGNE
Fabio Paratici plans a new Tottenham bid for Lorenzo Insigne after his admission that he’s still to agree an extension to his Napoli contract. (Daily Mail)
Brighton players are fuming, having been spat on by Crystal Palace supporters as they left the pitch following Monday’s 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. (Daily Mail)
Barcelona are “desperate” to keep hold of teenage superstar Ansu Fati and are offering him a lucrative new contract. (Daily Mail)
Antonio Conte claims Chelsea are not getting the best out of Romelu Lukaku because they do not know how best to utilise him. (Daily Mail)
PAU TORRES OPEN TO PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFER
Barcelona’s wage cap is being slashed to around £84m by La Liga, some seven times less than Real Madrid. The new figure also means their players will collectively earn less than at Premier League new boys Watford. (Daily Star)
Pau Torres is leaving the door open for an exit at Villarreal after turning down offers from Premier League clubs last summer. (Daily Star)
Jules Kounde insists he’s fully focused on Sevilla following Chelsea’s failure to sign him during the summer. (Daily Star)
Gareth Southgate will agree to Manchester United’s request not to include Mason Greenwood in his squad for October’s qualifiers. (Daily Star)
Sheriff Tiraspol’s Champions League history maker Edmund Addo hopes his goal alerts Manchester United to his qualities. (The Sun)
MOURINHO WANTS TANGUY NDOMBELE
UEFA are warning Tottenham over Pierluigi Gollini’s goalkeeping gloves, which breach their logo regulations. (The Sun)
Wales FA chief executive Noel Mooney admits Ryan Giggs remains on full pay. The Wales boss, believed to be on a salary worth £400,000 annually, has been on leave from his post since his arrest in November 2020. (The Sun)
Bayer Leverkusen teenager Florian Wirtz is attracting interest from Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)
AND MORE TRANSFER GOSSIP
David Seaman is back with Arsenal, having taken on an informal coaching role working with the club’s young goalkeepers at London Colney. (Daily Mirror)
Mikel Arteta insists he’s “not worried” about transfer speculation suggesting Juventus are planning a move for Bukayo Saka. (Daily Mirror)
Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans is catching the attention of both Real Madrid and Barcelona. (Daily Express)
Ben White will reportedly be in England’s squad to face Andorra and Hungary following a defensive injury crisis. (The Guardian)
Gareth Southgate also looks poised to name AC Milan’s Fiyako Tomori in his latest England squad. (The Times)
Manchester United are planning an approach for Aberdeen’s Calvin Ramsay. (The Scottish Sun)
Nuno Espirito Santo in perilous position after Tottenham derby thumping by Arsenal
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