RB Leipzig move for Barca youngster Ilaix
RB Leipzig are looking to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding Barca wonderkid Ilaix Moriba, reports Marca.
The Bundesliga side have made contact with their Liga counterparts over Ilaix, who has refused to sign a new contract at Camp Nou.
Inter continue talks over Thuram & Correa
Inter remain in negotiations over the arrival of Lazio star Joaquin Correa and Parma’s Marcos Thuram, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.
In both cases the Nerazzurri are hoping to drive down the asking prices demanded by their Serie A rivals as they seek to invest the transfer windfall left by Romelu Lukaku’s sale to Chelsea.
‘Gilmour will want to be a Chelsea player’ – Norwich loan move backed by Hutton
Billy Gilmour will have his heart set on being “a Chelsea player” despite agreeing to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, says Alan Hutton, with the 20-year-old Scot praised for taking the brave decision to join Norwich on loan.
Despite making a senior breakthrough at his parent club, while also gracing a major international stage at Euro 2020, regular game time has proved hard to come by for a highly-rated midfielder.
With only 11 appearances taken in during each of the last two seasons in west London, Gilmour has opted to spread his wings and join Premier League new boys at Carrow Road for the 2021-22 campaign.
What has been said?
Hutton believes the right choice has been made, with the former Scotland international – speaking in an interview via Coffee Friend – telling Goal of fellow countryman Gilmour: “I think he’s done the right thing. He could have sat at Chelsea and hoped to get some game time, but it probably wouldn’t have happened. Going to Norwich, they play a certain brand of football that suits him. [Daniel] Farke doesn’t change his identity, he wants to play football and I think that suits him.
“For him to go there and flourish and play games, get minutes under his belt, that’s ideal for him. He’ll want to move back to Chelsea and be a Chelsea player but for me and Scotland, he could be the go-to guy for a long time. There is an opportunity for him to really break through and shine. He has got everything to be a top-class midfielder.”
Hutton added on favouring a potential relegation scrap over a safer, more secure option: “It shows you the type of guy that he is. I go back to Norwich and Farke, they play a good brand of football, they don’t just kick it long, play five at the back and be defensive. I think him going there, it will suit him. They will want to get on the ball, to play and to make things happen. It suits his ability, his skill set, so even if they do struggle this season, they are still going to play a brand of football that suits him.
“It’s a good move for him. He probably wanted to get it done nice and early, which he did, and get a good pre-season in, hit the ground running and play as many games as possible. For his development, I think that was key.”
What is the target for Gilmour this season?
While still finding his feet an elite level for club and country, competitive minutes are the most important learning aid for Gilmour at this stage of his development.
Hutton admits as much, with the youngster told that numbers – in terms of goals and assists – do not need to be a priority as he works on mastering his craft.
“He’s still young. He’s just breaking through really,” Hutton added.
“He has not played many games for Chelsea so it’s about him getting that Premier League experience of playing week in, week out. Of course you want to score goals and have assists, but this is the next step in his development – getting those numbers up on the pitch. Goals and assists will come, he has got the ability, that’s for all to see, so it’s about enjoying his football and working hard and being a mainstay in that team.”
David Luiz closes on Flamengo move
Flamengo are close to making David Luiz their latest signing, reports Globoesporte.
The ex-Arsenal defender is now a free agent and could join ex-Manchester United man Andreas Pereira in moving back to Brazil with the Rio giants.
Chelsea look to sell before advancing with Kounde & Saul deals
Liverpool begin Salah contract talks as Klopp seeks four-year deal for Egyptian star
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool have opened talks with Mo Salah over a new long-term contract.
The Reds, Goal understands, are hoping to tie their star man down to a two-year extension, which would keep him at Anfield until 2025 and make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history, earning around £250,000 a week.
Salah’s current deal, signed in 2018, has less than two years left to run, but Liverpool sources are confident an agreement will be reached, and that the 29-year-old will become the latest player to commit his long-term future, following in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk.
What did Klopp say?
Speaking ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Burnley, Klopp was asked if he was aware of any progress between the club and Salah’s representatives.
He said: “I’m involved in pretty much everything that happens in the club. Maybe some talks happen without me, that’s possible but I’m not sure. Apart from that I know about all things.
“It is how it always is; we don’t speak about these things. I know we changed that a little bit with Hendo [Jordan Henderson], but that doesn’t mean we will from now on tell you about each little step with negotiations.
“Firstly, Mo is obviously in a really, really good moment, form-wise, mood-wise, how he behaved from the first day he came back, absolutely great.
“We are all adults, we are all professionals. If there are talks there are talks, and if there’s a decision then we will tell you. Until then it’s only important how the parties work together – and that’s not about Mo, it’s in general. We don’t have to talk about anything else, and the decisive people can talk in the background.
“But yes, with two years left, you can imagine that there are talks. That is it.”
What about Jordan Henderson’s contract situation?
Earlier, Klopp had given little away when asked about Jordan Henderson’s situation, amid reports a three-year deal had been agreed with the captain.
“No,” said a straight-faced Klopp when asked if there was any update. “Still all good.”
When subsequently asked if there was anything to be concerned about, he simply replied: “No.”
‘If there are records, Mo knows about them!’
Salah, meanwhile, started the new Premier League season in typical fashion, setting two goals up and scoring one himself as Liverpool beat Norwich 3-0 at Carrow Road last weekend.
With 126 goals in 204 games for the Reds, he sits 12th in their all-time scoring list, and needs only four to move level with 10th-placed Sam Raybould.
Asked whether he used such records, or perhaps the idea that he could one day be considered the greatest forward in Liverpool history, to motivate Salah, Klopp smiled.
“I don’t have to,” he said. “He knows that. Mo is aware of all these things, and that is absolutely fine! He enjoys it.
“Breaking records is great, and the records he broke already are absolutely insane. I obviously didn’t know last week when he scored, that he is now the first player in the history of the Premier League to score in five successive [opening-day] games. And there’s a reason why nobody else did it – because it’s really difficult!
“If there are any records out there, he knows about them. And he doesn’t have to change his style, he just has to play football, and when he plays his football, when he works as hard as he does, there will come situations where he can score.
“With his quality, he can obviously do that, and I think he can set records with assists as well. Just being around goal situations, that’s Mo Salah!
“I’m really happy with him, but I never told him that he could be the biggest Liverpool legend ever, or whatever. That’s not something you go for, because people will judge you on that after your career.”
Man City will let Laporte go for £60m (Daily Mail)
Juventus and Madrid linked to centre-back
Manchester City have named their price in order to part ways with unhappy defender Aymeric Laporte, claims the Daily Mail.
The Premier League champions will listen to bids worth £60 million or higher for Laporte, who last season dropped behind Ruben Dias and John Stones in the defensive pecking order.
Juventus and Real Madrid have both been recently linked to the centre-back’s services.
