August 17 – Liverpool are on the verge of completing a move for 30-year-old VfB Stuttgart and Japan Captain Wataru Endo in a deal worth €19 million as the club finally make progress in their bid to find a successor to 29-year-old Brazilian Fabinho, who departed for the Saudi Pro League in a move worth €40 million.
Endo comes off the back of a strong season for Stuttgart, claiming 5 goals and 5 assists in 33 games from defensive midfield in a side fighting relegation.
Even after the Endo news, Liverpool are still hot on the trail of 23-year-old priority target Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace.
The young Mali international impressed in his debut Premier League season for the Eagles and will likely command a fee north of £55 million. Liverpool are reportedly stalling a move for the defensive midfielder so that Crystal Palace reduce their asking price which is rumoured to be ‘astronomical’.
Liverpool’s interest in Chelsea-bound Romeo Lavia has now been dropped completely in favour of the Palace midfielder.
Spain international David De Gea is keen on a move to Bayern Munich after leaving Manchester United at the end of his contract in July. The aim is for the 4-time Manchester United Player of the Year winner to fill in for 38-year-old Manuel Neuer, who sustained a fractured leg injury earlier this year.
Free agent Jesse Lingard is eyeing a return to West Ham after training with Inter Miami over the summer period. The England international spent 6 months in East London as part of a short-term loan from Manchester United in the 2020/21 season, scoring 9 and assisting 5. His performances guided the Hammers to an impressive 6th-place finish.
Spanish winger Ansu Fati has announced his intention to leave FC Barcelona “sooner rather than later” after becoming unsettled at his boyhood club. The announcement has sparked a three-way Premier League battle for his signature as Manchester United, Spurs and Arsenal are all keen on adding the 20-year-old to their rosters.
The young talent burst on to the scene in the 2019/20 season, aged just 16, scoring seven goals and notching an assist over 24 league games from the wing. He was tipped by fans to become the next Lionel Messi, but that Barcelona fantasy looks to be coming to an end.
Liverpool are dipping back into the market for 21-year-old Bayern Munich starlet Ryan Gravenberch after showing concrete interest earlier in the window. The Dutch midfielder reportedly wants out of the German champions due to frustration at a lack of game time since signing from Ajax in 2022.
Manchester United have also been linked with Gravenberch, who is reportedly keen to work alongside former manager Erik Ten Hag once again. A move would likely set the buyer back around £35m, despite only playing 559 league minutes last term for FC Bayern, tallying no goals or assists.
Chelsea have agreed a £28 million deal that will see teenager Lewis Hall join Newcastle United, despite the club offering him a new six-year contract just weeks ago.
The 18-year-old impressed in his performances towards the end of last season and was one of the shining lights of a Chelsea team that struggled to 12th place last term. Reports suggest that Hall was a boyhood Newcastle United fan.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714494900labto1714494900ofdlr1714494900owedi1714494900sni@o1714494900fni1714494900