Lucas Leiva’s Galatasaray move on verge of collapse
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva’s proposed move to Galatasaray has been thrown into doubt, after the club refusal to meet the Brazilian’s wage demands.
The 30-year-old, who is out of contract at Liverpool in the summer has demanded his current £3million annual salary be carried over to his new club. However, it is reported that Galatasaray are unwilling to match his current deal and the move is now likely to be called off.
Lucas has made 29 appearances and provided 3 assists for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season but a summer move seems inevitable once his contract at Anfield expires. Inter Milan are also one of the clubs named to be interested in signing the Brazilian.
Real Madrid make move to sign Liverpool midfielder as Hazard alternative
Liverpool central midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is reportedly a target for Real Madrid should they fail to acquire Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard in the summer. Italian transfer site Tutto Mercato Web claim the Spanish giants have made contact with the representatives of the Holland international as they eye a summer swoop.
The Dutchman was used in an attacking midfield slot at former club Newcastle but has been used in a deeper role by Jurgen Klopp since his £25million transfer in the summer. Wijnaldum has since made 39 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, scoring five goals and providing eight assists in the process.
Christian Benteke is hopeful Mamadou Sakho will remain at Crystal Palace beyond the end of his current loan deal.
Sakho has impressed since joining on loan at Crystal Palace before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the defeat to Tottenham. With Sakho unlikely to figure in Jurgen Klopp’s plans for next season, Benteke expressed his desire for the French defender to remain at Selhurst Park but he expects him to be in demand in the summer.
“I’m trying to persuade him to stay but it will be tough,” Benteke said to the London Evening Standard.
“He’ll have offers from other clubs, although our chairman and boss will try to get him to stay too. He’s made such a difference to us. First, we have to make sure we remain in the Premier League – but we’re not far away now.”
“It wasn’t the plan when I came to fight relegation,” he said. “Next season we have to aim for the top half of the Premier League table.”