Gossip: Liverpool 'close in on Lemar and Sessegnon', Man Utd 'want Doucoure', Dybala 'commits to Juve'
It’s good to be a Liverpool fan right now. Sure, you might not have won a league title for 28 years, and be plagued by a recurring nightmare of Steven Gerrard slipping over, and regret getting “Coutinho 10” on the back of your shirt in the summer, but things are still good.
You’ve got an Egyptian magician, a German genius, a Senegalese sensation, a brilliant Brazilian, Jordan Henderson. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that? The answer, it seems, is no one.
According to today’s papers, the Reds are poised to beat off competition from numerous top sides to land two of the world’s most in-demand stars.
READ MORE: Fulham ease to victory over Sheffield United in race for automatic promotion
READ MORE: Leicester star Mahrez ‘announces retirement’ on Facebook
The first is Thomas Lemar, who the Express claims has “virtually agreed” to move to Anfield from Monaco at the end of the season. And by “virtually” they mean he is on the verge of agreeing, as opposed it being to something he did while playing FIFA.
The Reds are reportedly close to reaching a fee with the French champions, after which they would just need to persuade Lemar to join them instead of Arsenal, which shouldn’t be too difficult.
Another starlet who only has eyes for Jurgen Klopp is Fulham whizzkid Ryan Sessegnon, who the Express says wants to join Liverpool despite rival interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham.
The 17-year-old apparently “grew up a boyhood Liverpool fan”, which – given the fact he is literally still growing up – means he must also still support Liverpool. A move to Anfield is something Sessegnon would be keen on “if Fulham don’t win promotion”. The Cottagers are currently fourth in the Championship.
Man Utd enter race for Doucoure
The Reds might not have it all their own way in the transfer market this summer though, because Man Utd are reportedly trying to snatch Abdoulaye Doucoure away from them.
The Mirror says the Red Devils have added the Watford midfielder to their “wishlist”, with Jose Mourinho sending scouts to watch him in last weekend’s match against West Brom. He is also wanted by Arsenal, Tottenham and the Reds.
Doucoure himself said recently when asked about his future, “We’ll see what the state of play is in the summer and then we can ask questions.”
So he’s definitely off.
READ MORE: Ronaldo hails ‘major’ Madrid victory in Paris
READ MORE: Sacchi slams ‘weak’ PSG – ‘Ideas can’t be bought’
READ MORE: ‘Wounded’ Juventus will be spurred on to beat Tottenham – Buffon
READ MORE: Bernd Leno could make a welcome change for Arsenal in light of Cech’s decline
United are also said to be “favourites” to sign 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who is also allegedly wanted by Chelsea and Tottenham (Star).
But the news on Paulo Dybala is less promising, with the Argentine forward set to snub interest from Old Trafford and sign a new five-year contract at Juventus – without any release clause (Sun).
Elsewhere, Arsenal will take on Liverpool, West Ham and Watford to sign Benfica’s 23-year-old midfielder Bryan Cristante – currently shining on loan at Atalanta (Mirror), Tottenham midfielder target Max Meyer could join Atletico Madrid from Schalke on a free transfer this summer (Mail) and Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert is the latest big name in talks with Oxford United about the League One side’s vacant manager’s post (Sun). Is anyone else getting suspicious that the Oxford board are just using this vacant manager’s post as an excuse to meet loads of famous footballers?
