Transfer Gossip: Arthur rumours resurface as report names Prem midfielder Klopp wants as January replacement; free-agent defender snubs West Ham and nears new club
Liverpool are planning to replace Arthur with a Premier League midfielder in January, Dan-Axel Zagadou is snubbing West Ham with his next club closing in, while Monday’s Transfer Gossip has fresh claims about the future of Kylian Mbappe.
KLOPP WANTS TO AXE ARTHUR FOR PREM ALTERNATIVE
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp remains intent on ending the Arthur Melo loan deal in January, despite claims to the contrary, claims a report.
The Brazilian was signed by the Reds on transfer deadline day as they sought to ease their midfield woes. Indeed Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones have all been injured at various stages this season. And that has left Klopp short and having to rely on veteran James Milner – 37 in January – and teenage star Harvey Elliott.
As such, the loan signing of Arthur, with a view to a permanent deal, made plenty of sense for Liverpool.
However, his short time on Merseyside has already been dogged by worrying speculation. Firstly came suggestions that Arthur was, in fact, only Klopp’s fourth-choice target.
More worryingly, it was also claimed that the Reds are keen to end his loan stint at the earliest available opportunity.
That has since been denied by Fabrizio Romano, who insists Liverpool will, at the least, honour Arthur’s loan agreement. And with the player working up his fitness, any decision on a permanent deal will be on hold until summer 2023.
Despite denials, reports in the Italian media are once again suggesting Klopp is keen to replace Arthur.
Liverpool lead charge for Douglas Luiz as Arthur replacement
As per TuttoJuve, Klopp wants to replace Arthur with his compatriot Douglas Luiz in January.
The 24-year-old star falls out of contract at Aston Villa next summer. As such, the race for his signature is likely to be one of the stories of the January transfer window.
Arsenal saw a summer offer worth £20m-plus rejected by Villa. And the Gunners are expected to come back in for him when the January window opens.
Juventus are also very much in the mix as they look to bring in midfield reinforcements.
With regards his future, a recent report claims Luiz has informed his friends which club he plans to sign for.
Wherever he ends up, the race for Luiz is likely to be an intense one come the new year. Regarded as one of the best out and out midfielders outside the top six, it’s easy to see why the Villa star is a man in demand.
Liverpool need to freshen up their midfield with Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain free to leave themselves in 2023. Milner is also likely to call time on his Anfield career next summer.
Jude Bellingham is also likely to be their main summer target.
DAN-AXEL ZAGADOU TO SNUB WEST HAM
Dan-Axel Zagadou is ready to snub an offer to join West Ham after finding a new club in the Bundesliga.
The defender – previously linked with Manchester United – fell out of contract at the end of last season. Regarded as one of the best defenders in Germany it is surprising to see him fail to land a club before the start of the 2022/23 season.
As such, he was strongly linked with a move to West Ham with David Moyes looking for more cover in central defence.
Indeed, they were named as favourites for his signature with the Hammers edging out Lyon.
However, reports in Germany now claim Zagadou won’t be signing for West Ham after all.
As per Kicker, the 24-year-old is instead nearing a switch to Stuttgart.
He reportedly underwent medical checks on Sunday. And if all goes well, he should sign a deal with the Bundesliga club this week.
KYLIAN MBAPPE TRANSFER REVELATION OVER REAL MADRID
Real Madrid are ready to cool their interest in Kylian Mbappe amid claims he’s no longer keen to sign for them.
Los Blancos are long-standing suitors of the classy star, having chased him for a number of seasons.
Indeed, with his contract entering its final year, they launched a huge £149m (€170m) bid to sign him in summer 2021.
That was rejected by PSG and he went on to sign a new deal worth an estimated £600,000 a week.
Despite that, Real Madrid remain keen and may reportedly launch a fresh approach for his signature this coming summer.
But Marca now claims they are ready to shelve that interest with Mbappe happy to stay in France.
Unable to match those riches, it seems Real are now ready to give up on Mbappe.
Liverpool are also long-standing suitors, but they too would struggle to get close to that salary. As such, Mbappe will have to take a huge paycut were he ever to leave PSG.
