Transfer Gossip: Liverpool ‘make their move’ to sign classy Bundesliga midfielder before Man Utd; Everton want Richarlison-level fee for Arsenal target

Liverpool have got to work on a deal to sign a Bayern Munich ace before Manchester United, Everton are hoping to bring in more than £60million when selling an Arsenal-linked star, while Sunday’s Transfer Gossip reveals Xavi’s response to Barcelona selling a top player to Chelsea.

LIVERPOOL GET JUMP ON MAN UTD IN MIDFIELDER BATTLE

Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to capture Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch before Man Utd and the Merseyside giants have therefore ‘made their move’, according to a report.

Gravenberch was linked with both Liverpool and Man Utd last summer as he edged closer to an Ajax departure. Ultimately, it was Bayern who won the race for the exciting young midfielder as he headed to Germany in a £21million deal.

Gravenberch has not been able to have the same influence on Bayern as he did with Ajax and this has led to rumours he could quit the Bundesliga giants after just one season.

Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal have all been backed to give him his first experience in the Premier League.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel recently hinted that he wants to keep the talented 20-year-old from the clutches of that trio by urging him to ‘fight’ for a starting spot. Tuchel also revealed that he is a fan of Gravenberch’s dribbling skills.

However, there is a real chance the manager could lose Gravenberch to an English club this summer. After deciding Jude Bellingham will be too expensive to sign, Liverpool have opted to go after the Netherlands international instead.

On Saturday, Bild journalist Christian Falk revealed that Liverpool have held a meeting with the player’s agent to discuss a potential move to Anfield. Falk added that the Reds would find it tough to reach an agreement with Bayern as the Bundesliga leaders insist Gravenberch is ‘not for sale’.

Nevertheless, a report from fellow German outlet Fussball Transfers explains how Liverpool are pressing ahead with their attempts to sign Gravenberch anyway. They write that Klopp’s side have ‘made their move’ to try and complete a deal.

Klopp eyes Gravenberch as Bellingham alternative

Liverpool have gone ‘on the offensive’ in order to sign Gravenberch ahead of Premier League rivals Man Utd and Arsenal.

This suggests Liverpool have tabled an initial proposal to Bayern. Klopp will now be waiting to see if it is enough to get Bayern to sing.

While Tuchel seems to like Gravenberch and Bayern insist he is not going nowhere this summer, there is one factor which could change all this.

The Bavarians have agreed to bring in Konrad Laimer on a free transfer at the end of the season, after he ran down his contract with RB Leipzig.

Laimer’s arrival at Bayern could push Gravenberch further down the pecking order under Tuchel, with the manager also able to use Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.

Therefore, Bayern may soon change their stance and allow Gravenberch to depart, with Liverpool ready and waiting to snare him.

Gravenberch heading to Liverpool would be a blow for Man Utd. The Red Devils have identified Gravenberch as a potential signing to bolster their midfield ranks.

Erik ten Hag is a big fan of the player after giving him his big break at Ajax. But if Ten Hag is to reunite with the Amsterdam-born ace, then Man Utd must get to work on a deal of their own to sign him.

EVERTON WANT MASSIVE FEE FOR ARSENAL TARGET

Everton have decided they will sell midfielder Amadou Onana this summer, but only if they receive the same fee they got for Richarlison, according to a report.

Richarlison left Goodison Park in July last year when Tottenham paid a whopping £60m for him. But the forward’s first season at Spurs has not gone well, as he has only bagged two goals in 28 matches for the club and has failed to actually score in the league.

Onana could follow Richarlison’s lead by departing Everton this summer, though he will be hoping to be far more influential at his next club.

Onana has impressed for Everton this season, despite the Toffees battling against relegation. Everton spent £33m when landing the Belgian from Lille last summer, but he could now go on to join Arsenal after impressing scouts at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta is searching for a new midfielder to take his team to the next level and believes Onana could do exactly that.

But according to Football Insider, Arsenal will have to spend big. Everton have told Onana’s potential suitors the 21-year-old will only be moving if a bid worth more than Richarlison’s £60m fee comes in.

Everton feel Onana’s high-quality performances in the Prem, plus the fact he adapted very quickly to the division, justify such a large price tag.

Paying over £60m for the player will probably put Arsenal off as they can spend £10m more to get Declan Rice, who has far more experience in the Prem.

Although, there is one factor which could see Onana leave Everton on the cheap – relegation. Following Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Fulham, Everton sit in 17th spot on 27 points.

If 18th-placed Nottingham Forest pull off a shock and beat Man Utd on Sunday, then Sean Dyche’s side would drop into the relegation zone.

Onana will not want to drop down to the Championship and will therefore push for a transfer away from Everton if relegation is confirmed, which will in turn force the club to lower their asking price. If this happens, then Arsenal will have the chance to get Onana for far less.

XAVI TELLS BARCELONA MAN TO REJECT CHELSEA

Barcelona coach Xavi has directly responded to rumours Gavi could leave for Chelsea amid uncertainty over the wonderkid’s new contract.

In September, Barca announced that they had reached an agreement with the midfielder to extend his contract until June 2026.

However, due to the club’s financial difficulties, they have so far been unable to actually register the new deal with La Liga. And this has led to concern Gavi could leave Barca on a free transfer when his current youth contract expires this summer.

Chelsea have been alerted to the situation and have even held discussions over Gavi’s potential capture. According to Spanish newspaper AS, the Blues have had positive talks with Gavi’s agent, Ivan de la Pena.

Chelsea have positioned themselves as one of the frontrunners to sign Gavi, should Barca fail in their bid to keep him.

However, Xavi is eager for his player to remain in Catalonia. During a recent interview (via Fabrizio Romano), the former midfielder said: “I have the feeling that Gavi would not be as happy at any other club as he is at Barca.

“He’s fundamental here, [a] crucial player for us.”

Xavi is right about Gavi’s close connection with the Blaugrana. He has been on their books since 2015 and graduated from their academy before making his first-team debut in August 2021.

The Spain international will be very comfortable at Barca and will want to continue his exciting development with them. However, he might be given no choice but to leave if the La Liga giants fail to sort out his contract dilemma.

It would be great to see Gavi arrive in the Premier League. He has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in the world and could go on to become a serial winner at the top level. Chelsea will be hoping he joins them next, but that will only happen if the contract saga continues into the summer.