Liverpool transfer news – Khephren Thuram pursuit, Federico Valverde future, Gabri Veiga bid

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An update on Khephren Thuram – the man Liverpool want to make their next midfield signing.

Diogo Jota says Liverpool are targeting a Premier League title challenge next term as the striker highlighted the importance of a full pre-season schedule following his injury-hit campaign.

In an interview with FourFourTwo, Jota said: “In the last few years, we have always been there [near the top] – three seasons with over 90 points, which is incredible. Not to win the league with so many points is even more incredible. So, I think our target needs to be that: to do better than the season we’ve just had, for sure, and be fighting for titles.

“You always need to refresh the squad with new players. That’s what we’ve done, and if we stick together for a long time, things will get better. In the season we’ve just had, we weren’t there – it’s the truth – but hopefully that was hitting the bottom and we can bounce back and try to fight for titles again.

“The season before last was very successful – almost the most successful ever in English football – and for me it was great as well. I was so happy that Liverpool offered me a new deal (last summer) and I could commit myself to the club for a long period of time.

“I know they trust me and that’s important: to know that you’re in a stable place, with people who give you the confidence to go out on to the pitch and produce excellent performances. This summer, I want to get through a proper pre-season, then hopefully have a great season.”

How much could Fenway Sports Group demand for Liverpool if – and when – they decide to sell up?

Ruben Neves – who has been linked with Liverpool – is reportedly on the verge of joining Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal.

According to Calciomercato, Federico Chiesa can leave Juventus for €60m (£51m) amid Liverpool links.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been increasingly linked with the Turin forward as they continue their cost-cutting following their points deduction in Serie A.

The Italian outlet says that he can finally leave Juventus with the price set at the aforementioned figure.

They continue to cite El Nacional who suggest Klopp’s side “overwhelmingly” have the Italy attacker in their sights as they look for players with important qualities for development.

In addition, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG are also said to be interested.

It wasn’t to be for the Reds in the Nations League final.

They offered a fight against Roberto Mancini’s side but were edged out 3-2.

Steven Bergwijn halved the deficit but Federico Chiesa added a third for Italy following goals from Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi.

Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum added a second late on to cause some concern but the Euro 2020 winners add the bronze medal in the 2023 Nations League to their roll of honours.

Liverpool are planning to check on Eberechi Eze’s situation, according to Ekrem Konur.

The Reds are reportedly looking to test Crystal Palace’s stance on their highly-rated attacker. The 24-year-old made his debut for England in their 4-0 win over Malta on Friday.

Now, the journalist reports that they’re eyeing contact for the forward.

In a tweet, Konur said: “Liverpool are planning to check on the situation of Crystal Palace’s 24-year-old English player Eberechi Eze.”

This month, the Liverpool ECHO reported that the Reds see no reason to further strengthen the forward line. Ian Doyle wrote: “Other positions in the team appear more locked down…

“… The Reds, too, see no reason to further strengthen their forward line, with January arrival Cody Gakpo having already ostensibly replaced the outgoing Roberto Firmino.

“The Reds are also keen to not block the progress of highly-rated teenage right-winger Ben Doak, who could be earmarked for minutes in the domestic cups and Europa League group stage next season.”

They’re now two goals down at the break.

Davide Frattesi added to Federico Dimarco’s opener on six minutes.

Holland are a goal behind against Italy as Federico Demarco opens the scoring in Holland.

It’s the bronze medal match for Holland in the UEFA Nations League.

They face Italy following their defeat to Croatia in the semi-final.

Good luck, lads!

PSV Eindhoven are reportedly looking to sign former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum.

That is according to Voetbal International who say Cody Gakpo’s former club are eyeing a move for the Dutchman who was a Europa League finalist with Roma last season.

He is still contracted to PSG but it has been said that he is allowed to leave and the Parisiens are willing to cooperate.

He made 154 appearances for the Eredivisie side between 2011 and 2015.

Newcastle United are set to turn their attention to Liverpool target Khephren Thuram, according to Football Insider.

The report suggests the Magpies are looking into pursuing the OGC Nice midfielder as an alternative to Nicolo Barella who they were reportedly monitoring.

They say Eddie Howe’s side admire the France U21 midfielder.

The Liverpool ECHO reported this week that he is under serious consideration from the Reds recruitment staff.

Luis Diaz returned to the Colombia squad for the first time since September this week.

He played 70 minutes as they beat Iraq 1-0.

Following the substitution of Juan Cuadrado, he was handed the armband until his departure.

Mohamed Salah is one of six players rested by Roy Vitoria ahead of their friendly against South Sudan this evening.

In a tweet this week, the Egyptian Football Federation revealed: “6 players leave the Egyptian national team camp

“The coaching staff of Egypt’s first football team, led by Portuguese Roy Vittoria, decided to rest 6 players and exempt them from the national team’s friendly against South Sudan scheduled for next Sunday at Cairo Stadium, and thus leave the team’s camp currently in Cairo.

“And the players are: Mohamed Salah, Mohamed El Shennawy, Omar Marmoush, Mustafa Mohamed, Hamdi Fathi, Mohamed Abdel Moneim.”

It’s nice of England to provide this lovely piece of viewing.

Every angle of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s strike from Friday’s win over Malta.

Watch it, drink it in.

Liverpool will miss out on the Club World Cup due to Manchester City’s Champions League win, according to the Mirror.

The inaugural competition which will feature 32 teams will kick off in the summer of 2025 with a prize pot of up to £150m. However, the Reds will not be among them following the Citizens triumph in Istanbul.

This is because tey failed to finish in the top four meaning they will not qualify for the event. Eight slots have been handed to European clubs for their UEFA coefficiency as United, Arsenal and Newcastle could join Chelsea and Pep Guardiola’s side should they lift the Champions League next season.

That is according to DAZN Italia, via Voetbal International, who say Perr Schuurs is high on their list to succeed Kim Min-jae.

Liverpool have been linked with the defender in the last week or so as the Reds continue looking to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Reports suggested that the Torino defender was on the list of targets for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

However, the news from Italy suggests with the Korean set for a move to Bayern Munich, Schuurs could be lined up to be the replacement.

SportBILD’s Christian Falk wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Benjamin Pavard is another defender that wants to leave Bayern this summer. In addition to FC Barcelona, Premier League clubs Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as Serie A’s Inter and AC Milan are also interested, as I reported in my last column. In order to be prepared for the possible departures of both Hernandez AND Pavard, Bayern have another two defenders on their list.

“As with Kim Min-jae, the Bundesliga champions have Premier League competition to contend with as Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg is wanted by both Bayern and Liverpool. It’s the Reds that have a slight edge given that it was their new sporting director, Jorg Schmadtke, who brought van de Ven to Wolfsburg from FC Volendam in 2021 for a fee of just €3.5m. The 22-year-old’s market value is now €18m, and he has a contract at Wolfsburg that runs until 2027 without an exit clause. Schmadtke knows best.”

Virgil van Dijk has spoken about his future at Liverpool.

“I still have two years left on my contract and I assume that they (Liverpool) still consider me important for the team. If not, I am sure I would have heard about it.”

After plenty of speculation that Newcastle were close to completing the signing of Nico Barella from Inter Milan, that has since been downplayed – largely due to the rumoured fee of around £50 million.

Liverpool have held an interest in Barella for a while now and Jurgen Klopp is thought to be a huge fan, but the sticking point for the Reds is the £80m fee Inter want, according to Fichajes.

The Champions League finalist could be on his way to England in the coming weeks – if his price is met.

The ECHO spoke to Get French Football News’ Luke Entwistle about why Liverpool are looking to make Khephren Thuram their next summer signing.

The Reds have already brought in Alexis Mac Allister and want the Frenchman to come in and help their push for the Premier League title.

Good morning to all of you Liverpool fans out there and welcome back to our LIVE blog on this stormy Sunday morning!

Stay tuned and we’ll bring you the latest transfer news and info!

Real Madrid star Federico Valverde has addressed rumours over a possible summer move, amid Liverpool links.

The Uruguayan has been tentatively linked with a move to Liverpool, among other clubs, as Los Blancos continue to strengthen their squad with new signings. Jude Bellingham marks another high-profile midfield signing, following on from Aurelien Tchouameni’s arrival last year, adding increased competition for places. Such is the battle for midfield spots, Valverde was used as a right midfielder on a number of occasions last term.

Setting the record straight on his future, however, the 24-year-old told ESPN Argentina: “No, no… I’m in Madrid trying to enjoy every moment and leave my mark on the best club in the world. I want to continue winning titles for the Madridistas.”

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