Liverpool transfer news today: Alexander-Arnold 'concrete' Madrid links, Simakan situation explained, Reds stunned by Yoro move
This is your Liverpool transfer news for Thursday 18 July with updates on Mohamed Simakan, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Leny Yoro and more.
LIVERPOOL NOT INTERESTED IN MOHAMED SIMAKAN
Liverpool journalist Ian Doyle has revealed the Reds' stance on a move for Mohamed Simakan this summer after reports have emerged of the club tracking the RB Leipzig star.
The Reds' interest and admiration of Simakan was first reported on Monday evening, with even transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claiming that Liverpool are keen on the 24-year-old.
The centre-back, who is also an accomplished right-back, has also caught the attention of Atletico Madrid according to Sky Germany reporter Philipp Hinze,
Liverpool have been linked with a host of centre-backs this summer as they search for a suitable replacement for Joel Matip, with the cult hero leaving Anfield at the end of last season.
However, Simakan's name had not been previously mentioned, offering Liverpool fans hope of a surprise deal. Those hopes have now been dashed.
Reacting to rumours regarding Liverpool's interest in Simakan, journalist Doyle of the Liverpool Echo revealed that the Reds are not pursuing the Frenchman this summer.
In an update on the situation, Doyle wrote: "There's been a bit of chat about RB Leipzig centre-back Mohamed Simakan, but our understanding is Liverpool aren't presently considering a move for the Frenchman."
MICHELE DI GREGORIO OPTS FOR JUVENTUS
The agent of Liverpool target Michele Di Gregorio has revealed why his client rejected an Anfield move in favour of a Juventus transfer this summer.
With Adrian having now officially left Liverpool and Caoimhin Kelleher strongly linked with a summer exit, the Reds have been on the hunt for at least one new goalkeeper this summer.
After all, even Alisson's future is not guaranteed amid significant interest from Saudi Arabia.
While youngster Vitezslav Jaros will be one of Liverpool's three senior stoppers next term, the Reds still need to be on the lookout for reinforcements in the summer transfer window.
One of those that was subject to interest from Liverpool was Di Gregorio, who spent last season dazzling for Serie A outfit Monza.
However, the Italian chose a move to Juventus over Liverpool, signing for Thiago Motta's side in early July. The 26-year-old's agent has now revealed why.
Di Gregorio's agent, Carlo Alberto Belloni, has now opened up on Liverpool's 'strong interest' in his client, but claims that the Reds were too late to make a move for the goalkeeper.
As reported by Fanta Calcio (via Sport Witness), his agent stated: "There was strong interest from the Reds, but I want to underline that it was not a no to Liverpool, but rather the keeping of the word given to Juve.
"We had shaken hands with [Cristiano] Giuntoli a few months ago and we wanted to respect the agreement made. For a goalkeeper, Juve represents the top club to play at: history says so."
Alexander-Arnold in contact with Real Madrid
Bild’s Head of Football, Christian Falk, claims Trent Alexander-Arnold has had contact from Real Madrid. The right-back is now in the final year of his contract at Liverpool and a new one doesn’t seem to be too close.
Of course, Alexander-Arnold has been with England at Euro 2024. That’s put something of a halt to Liverpool’s contract talks and the expectation is that now he’s done with the tournament, things can progress.
At the very least, they’ll progress when he’s back for pre-season in a couple of weeks.
But it appears Liverpool will face a fight. Real Madrid smell a steal here, with Alexander-Arnold able to sign for them in January on a pre-contract agreement that would allow a free transfer next summer.
Falk believes Real are ‘getting concrete’ on the idea.
"Real Madrid is getting concret with Trent Alexander-Arnold,” he wrote on X. "Arnold has contract til 2025, no contract extension at Liverpool yet.
"The Player is interested, there is contact since [last] month."
Al-Nassr move on from Alisson
Al-Nassr have agreed to sign Brazil international goalkeeper Bento from Athletico Paranaense for a fee of €18 million, effectively ending their pursuit of Liverpool No.1 Alisson Becker.
Alisson, 31, was earmarked as the Saudi Pro League giants’ first choice signing this summer with the PIF-operated side having a clear priority to sign a world-class goalkeeper.
Talks were held with Alisson’s representatives in order to ascertain his interest in a move to the SPL, but owing to a worry that he would lose his spot as Brazil’s starting goalkeeper Alisson declined the chance to avail of a ‘jaw-dropping’ offer from Cristiano Ronaldo’s team.
Negotiations with Alisson were taking place in parallel to discussions with international teammate and Manchester City starter Ederson, who was reported to have agreed personal terms ahead of a summer switch.
Al-Nassr were reported to have been unhappy with City’s €50m asking price and were prepared to move onto other plans as soon as this week if Pep Guardiola’s team failed to reduce it.
Now it seems that City were sticking to their guns with Al-Nassr moving down their list of targets to land a goalkeeper.
Leny Yoro agrees Man Utd deal
David Ornstein claims Lille defender Leny Yoro is on his way to England for a medical with Manchester United. United have struck a £52m+ deal with the French club for a transfer this summer.
And that’s a shock, make no mistake. Yoro was expected to sign for Real Madrid at the end of his contract next summer, with other clubs bowing out of the race accordingly.
Liverpool were one of those. Like Paris Saint-Germain, they attempted to sign Yoro this summer but were convinced he only wanted to play for Real Madrid. As a result, both giants moved onto other targets.
United, however, didn’t. They never quit trying to convince Yoro and have gotten their way, against all the odds.
Liverpool face big Sepp van den Berg decision
Eindhovens Dagblad claims PSV Eindhoven would really like to sign Sepp van den Berg - but not at Liverpool’s current asking price. The Reds are after around €20m (£16.8m) for the Dutchman and that isn’t a fee PSV can really justify.
They’re hoping to snap him up for €16m, or £13.4m, and will try to convince Liverpool of the price tag. It’s a chance for Liverpool to triple the money they spent on Van den Berg, having signed him in 2019 for an initial £1.3m that had the potential to rise to £4m.
We’re not entirely sure what the add-ons were to take it to £4m but it does seem unlikely that they’ve all triggered. Van den Berg, after all, hasn’t featured for Liverpool’s first team very often.
And so the £13m offer could be closer to 10x what Liverpool have actually paid for Van den Berg. Now they need to decide whether they can get closer to £16m.
Ireland boss wants Kelleher to quit
New Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has urged Caoimhin Kelleher to quit Liverpool this summer in order to establish himself elsewhere as a regular starter.
Kelleher, 25, played 26 times for the Reds last season as first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker struggled with injuries but is firmly behind the Brazil No.1 in the Anfield pecking order.
Accordingly the Ireland international has made it known in recent months that he is seeking a move elsewhere in order to strike out on his own as a first-choice goalkeeper.
Asked whether it was time for him to seek a move away from Anfield, Hallgrimsson was unequivocal.
“Of course, especially when he showed everyone that he can play at the highest level,” he is reported to have said by the Irish Mirror.
“It would be a shame if he's not playing regularly after he has already shown everyone how good he is, the level he played at.”
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