Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool believe they can pip Newcastle, Man City to star

Liverpool are hopeful that their background work will serve them well in an exciting transfer hunt, while a club jump ahead for an Aston Villa target – both in all the latest Euro Paper Talk.

LIVERPOOL EYE FLORIAN WIRTZ TRANSFER

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz is a firm target for Liverpool and the Reds are hoping to beat Newcastle and Manchester City to his signature, according to a report.

The 18-year-old has turned heads in the early stages of the season, making his first appearance for Germany’s national team in September. That outing made him the third-youngest debutant for his country and his international rise comes after impressive club-level progression.

Indeed, Wirtz has scored six goals and assisted six others in 11 games in all competitions this term.

As a result, Liverpool, City, Manchester United and Arsenal have all had links with snapping him up. However, he will reportedly cost €100million (£86million to sign).

According to Bild (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are the latest Premier League club showing interest in him.

Mohamed Salah wants £500,000-a-week contract

Liverpool winger Mo Salah wants a reported half-a-million-a-week new contract at the club, with more news on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ousmane Dembele.

Still, the report claims that Liverpool are doing groundwork which they hope will lead to them winning the race for Wirtz.

They have kept in touch with his parents as they look to maintain a strong relationship with his representatives for when the time is right for a transfer.

Nevertheless, Bild adds that Leverkusen want to keep hold of Wirtz until at least 2023. He only signed his latest contract in May and that runs until 2026.

As well as impressing in the Bundesliga, Wirtz is also gaining Europa League experience. He has two goals in three games in that competition so far this term.

Is Antonio Conte the right potential Ole Gunnar Solskjaer successor for Man Utd?

AND THE REST FROM EURO PAPER TALK

Aston Villa may have to step up their hunt for River Plate star Julian Alvarez as AC Milan are now considering a January bid. (Calciomercato)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will remain Manchester United manager until December. However, the club’s talks with Antonio Conte are going well and the only issue now is his backroom staff. (Sportmediaset)

Gus Poyet, who did his coaching course with Solskjaer, has admitted that the Norwegian’s connection to Man Utd has kept him in the job this week. (Radio Sport 890)

Paul Pogba is in the spotlight amid United’s poor run of form and his agent Mino Raiola wanting to delay contract talks is ‘beneficial’ for Real Madrid’s hopes of signing the midfielder. (AS)

Brighton will try again to sign Benfica star Darwin Nunez next summer following a recent transfer chase. Atletico Madrid and Valencia are also in the running. (Fichajes)

ANCELOTTI MAKES HAZARD, MADRID CLAIM

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he currently prefers Rodrygo ahead of the injury-prone Eden Hazard. (Football Espana)

Luka Jovic has given Madrid an injury boost ahead of Wednesday’s La Liga clash with Osasuna, following a recent knock. (Football Espana)

However, pain in Ansu Fati’s knee has ruled him out of Barcelona’s match against Rayo Vallecano. (90min)

Spanish side Huesca are close to snapping up Xisco Munoz as their new manager following his Watford exit. (Heraldo)

Tottenham still have interest in Lille full-back Zeki Celik as a key transfer target. (Tuttomercatoweb)

NEWCASTLE IN MILAN, KAMARA BATTLE

Milan are facing competition from Newcastle as they look to sign Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara. (Il Milanista)

Stefano Pioli has warned that his Milan side have to keep going after nine wins in 10 made it their best start to a Serie A campaign since 1954-55. (DAZN)

Manchester City have sent a scout to Serbia to watch 17-year-old Bojan Kovacevic. (Mozzart Sport)

Fluminense have made an initial approach about re-signing Chelsea defender Thiago Silva. (Tuttomercatoweb)

Borussia Dortmund’s head of first team football Sebastian Kehl has revealed that Jude Bellingham has no release clause in his contract. (Sport1)