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Gossip: Liverpool 'hijack Aubameyang deal', Kane 'chooses Real Madrid shirt number' and more

Transfer targets: Liverpool want Aubameyang, Real Madrid continue to pursue Tottenham striker Harry Kane
Transfer targets: Liverpool want Aubameyang, Real Madrid continue to pursue Tottenham striker Harry Kane

Gabonese goal machine in Guanghzou. It does have a nice ring to it, and would be an excellent name for a movie about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s career in the Chinese Super League, funded by the man himself as he struggles to find ways to spend his £500,000 weekly wage in the Far East.

But as good as this motion picture would undoubtedly be, can it justify one of the world’s most prolific strikers wasting years of his life playing against Jin Pengxiang (Beijing Guoan full-back) and Shan Pengfei (Dalian Yifang centre-back) when he should be testing himself against the best?

Jurgen Klopp passionately believes not, and that is why the Liverpool manager is reportedly preparing to snatch the Gabonese goal machine from the clutches of the Chinese and bring him to Anfield.

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The Mirror says the Reds are set to “hijack” the Borussia Dortmund frontman’s move to Guangzhou Evergrande as they seek a striker who gets injured less frequently than Daniel Sturridge.

Klopp is tipped to use approximately £63m of the £142m he just received from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho to sign Aubameyang, with whom he previously worked at Dortmund.

But Liverpool are unlikely to match the salary PEA could get in China, so ultimately it depends on whether he prefers money or football.


Kane in ‘advanced talks’ with Real Madrid

The same dilemma could apply to Harry Kane, who continues to be faced with the choice of sticking with his boyhood club or getting rich(er) in La Liga.

According to Spanish mischief makers Diario Gol, talks between the Tottenham striker and the Spanish giants are at an “advanced stage” – so advanced that Kane has already chosen the shirt number he wants at the Bernabeu. It’s No.10, naturally. Unlucky, Luka Modric.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have “agreed personal terms” with Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking midfielder Lucas Moura, says the Sun. But that’s about all they have agreed.

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The Red Devils want the Brazilian on loan, while PSG are holding out for a £35m permanent deal, despite the fact that Lucas has played just 72 minutes of Ligue 1 football this season.

Another rarely used winger, Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, could also be on the move – with the Mail claiming that Everton and Southampton are in a two-way battle to sign the 28-year-old for £20m.

The Toffees are “favourites” by virtue of their greater financial resources. Sam Allardyce’s side are reportedly willing to “get close” to matching Walcott’s £110,000-a-week contract, while he would need to take a pay cut to return to the Saints.

Elsewhere, Liverpool and Arsenal will have to spend “at least £90m” if they want to sign Monaco winger Thomas Lemar this month (Mirror), Spanish side Sevilla are interested in taking Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan (ESPN) and Neymar has told Real Madrid he will only move to the Bernabeu if they also sign his PSG team-mate Marquinhos (Express). Presumably because he is in love with him?

@darlingkevin