Stop me if you’ve heard this one…
Liverpool make interest known in player, persist in trying to agree fee below asking price, see more attractive club swoop in and seal the deal.
In this case it’s Chelsea, and much like the transfers of Mohamed Salah and Willian, the Blues look poised to arrive late at the back post and nod a move for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke over the line. The asking price remains the £32million release clause in the Belgian’s contract but having advised the 24-year-old to aim higher than Anfield, Villa boss Tim Sherwood might find it hard to deny him the lure of Champions League football. (Express)
Chelsea are also moving closer to a deal for Monaco outcast Radamel Falcao. The Colombian striker’s loan deal at Manchester United this season was a complete failure but he wants another crack at the Premier League and Chelsea are in talks with the French club, with the deal expected to go through once the forward agrees to shed some of his £265,000 weekly wage. (Sky)
There are going to be plenty of ins and outs at Liverpool this summer but much depends on who is going to be standing on the touchline to start next season. Free agent James Milner has been widely linked with the Reds but the uncertainty over Brendan Rodgers’ future has made his think twice, with Arsenal, Manchester United and current club Manchester City all waiting to pounce. (Mirror)
Raheem Sterling, meanwhile, has indicated he may not ask to leave the club if Jurgen Klopp is brought in to replace Rodgers. (Sun)
The England forward could have one less option should Liverpool decide he’s not worth the hassle as talks between Sterling’s representatives and Bayern Munich have broken down. (Bild)
Goalkeepers are in high demand and David de Gea’s likely switch to Real Madrid could set off a domino effect. Manchester United’s top target to replace the Spaniard is Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris, but Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino says the Frenchman is happy to stay at Spurs. (Mail)
Should De Gea go home, Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas would be surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu, and Liverpool could meet his £10.5million release clause. (Mirror)
Arsenal are celebrating FA Cup glory this morning but could be saying goodbye to one of their trophy-winning defenders, with Nacho Monreal targeted by Athletic Bilbao. (AS)
The Gunners can never have enough options going forward, but a £6million move for Swansea midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng would still be a surprise. (Express)
Finally, Stoke made one of the signings of last summer by bringing Bojan from Barcelona for next to nothing, and boss Mark Hughes could return to his former club to repeat the trick this year. Holland winger Ibrahim Afellay is out of contract at the Nou Camp and would add further class to the Potters attack. (Mail)
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