£60M transfer chase still on
According to earlier reports, Manchester City appears to have won the race to sign Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk in a deal worth £60 million.
It would be a world-record fee for a defender, with the Dutch international reportedly set to sign a five-year deal worth a whopping £200,000-a-week. The transfer would replace John Stones as City and the Premier League’s most expensive defender.
However, according to Ian Doyle of The Liverpool Echo, Virgil Van Dijk has not agreed to join Pep Guardiola’s side and any reports indicating he has are apparently premature. Liverpool are encouraged by the response they have received from Van Dijk’s representatives and the Reds believes that Van Dijk’s decision will not rest solely on money, with the player impressed by Jürgen Klopp’s vision for the future of the club.
Mohamed Salah held secret Liverpool meeting
It is claimed that Mohamed Salah secretly met Liverpool in Rome in March. The former Chelsea winger is closing in on a move to Anfield, with claims that he has already agreed personal terms with Liverpool.
According to Italian daily La Repubblica, the deal appears to have been planned as Salah met Liverpool representatives in March at a restaurant in Rome. It is claimed the evening ended with a toast.
Reports have been claiming that the Egypt international winger has verbally agreed to join Jurgen Klopp’s side and is ready to sign a £90,000-a-week contract. However, the fee has yet to be finalised as Liverpool’s £28 million was rejected by the Serie A club.
It is believed that Roma are holding out for a bid which is closer to £35m. Salah, who scored 15 goals and registered 11 assists in Serie A this season, would be Klopp’s second summer signing after Liverpool secured a deal for Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke earlier this week.
Bolton to make move for Liverpool defender
Bolton Wanderers could make a move for Liverpool highly rated youngster Lloyd Jones this summer, according to respected journalist Alan Nixon.
The newly promoted Trotters want to strengthen their ranks ahead of the new Championship season, and manager Phil Parkinson has reportedly eye move for the 21-year-old defender in the summer.
Jones was capped up to under-20 level with England but has been unable to break into the Liverpool team. It is understood that another loan move could well be on the cards for the 21-year-old after spending last season at Swindon Town. Bolton are looking for quality addition to improve their squad following their immediate promotion back to the Championship last season.
