Liverpool are looking in Portugal for long-term replacements for Virgil van Dijk, while Thiago Alcantara could be heading to Turkey for next to nothing…
LIVERPOOL EYE SPORTING, BENFICA DEFENDERS
It’s set to be a massive summer for Liverpool as they set about something of a rebuild at Anfield. There are plenty of things you would expect the Reds to have on their to-do list above ‘replace Virgil van Dijk’ but Fichajes says they are cracking on with the job of sourcing a long-term successor to the centre-back.
It seems they are focussing their search on Portugal, with Benfica’s Antonio Silva and Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio both linked.
Portugal international Silva has also been linked with Real Madrid who see the 19-year-old as an alternative target to RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol. Inacio, 21, has impressed Liverpool scouts while playing on the left side of Sporting’s central defence, the same position Van Dijk occupies at Anfield.
READ MORE: Chelsea, Everton defenders make seven-man Liverpool shortlist as Klopp wants ‘another Van Dijk’
THIAGO TO LEAVE FOR CUT-PRICE FEE
Rather more of a priority is Liverpool’s engine room, which means some of their current midfielders are likely to be ushered towards the exit.
One of Jurgen Klopp’s stars who could be on his way is Thiago Alcantara. Fenerbahce certainly hope so since FotoMac reckons the Turkish side want to be bring the Spaniard to Istanbul.
Thiago will be 32 next month and is due to enter the final year of his contract in the summer so Fenerbahce hope an offer worth just over £7million will be enough to sign the star who joined Liverpool in 2020 for £27million from Bayern Munich.
The Reds are also set to lose Naby Keita, who will become a free agent at the end of the season. Sky Germany says Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are both keen to take the 28-year-old back to the Bundesliga.
CITY LINKED WITH ENGLAND TRIO
Manchester City have a huge summer ahead too involving three England internationals in the unlikely event that all the rumours are true…
Their interest in Jude Bellingham has been reaffirmed, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting City are as keen as ever to rival Liverpool and Real Madrid in the race for the Borussia Dortmund star. At the same time, it is said that Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic ‘is not a priority’ despite reports elsewhere.
As well as Bellingham, City are jostling for position with Arsenal at the front of the queue for Declan Rice. The Times insists the West Ham captain is the Gunners’ primary target but City ‘need watching’ as they consider overhauling their midfield, according to TEAMtalk.
City are also said to be eyeing a raid on Chelsea to take Ben Chilwell. That’s the word according to Fichajes at least, with the Blues demanding £35million for the left-back.
