Euro Paper Talk: Liverpool in chase for new Serie A star with offer drawn up; Man Utd target facing big contract dilemma

Liverpool were hopeful of signing a new Serie A target in the summer transfer window and even planned to make a bid, a player heavily linked with Manchester United is facing an uncertain future according to Fabrizio Romano, while Monday’s Euro Paper Talk includes a Manchester City ace being offered a big move.

Liverpool were interested in snapping up Napoli ace Eljif Elmas in the recent transfer window and were battling RB Leipzig for the central midfielder, according to a report.

Liverpool were always going to need a midfield revamp in the summer after allowing James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita to leave at the end of their contracts. However, Jurgen Klopp became more desperate once it emerged that experienced duo Fabinho and Jordan Henderson would both be moving to Saudi Arabia.

The Reds went on to sign Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. They attempted to bring in either Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia as their new defensive midfielder, only to see both players head to Chelsea.

Liverpool did still manage to bolster their midfield further though, capturing Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch.

But things could have been far different. As per Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Elmas was a concrete target for Klopp and Liverpool ‘wanted to buy’ him.

The Merseyside giants had been impressed by Elmas’ performances in the 2022-23 season. He 47 appearances in all competitions, notching six goals and three assists in that time.

Elmas played in a variety of positions, from defensive midfield to right wing, and helped Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years.

Liverpool drew up a €30million (£25.7m) bid to try and beat Leipzig to the 23-year-old’s signature. However, Napoli hit back with a ‘firm and decisive no’, as they had no intention of letting Elmas leave.

Eljif Elmas, Nicolo Barella in Klopp sights

Napoli were under no pressure to sell as Elmas’ contract with them runs until June 2025.

It will be interesting to see if Liverpool return for the North Macedonia international in a future transfer window. Klopp may decide that he needs another top midfielder to join to help his team battle the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal for Premier League titles.

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Elmas is not the only Serie A midfielder Liverpool are keeping tabs on. According to reports, they are also in the mix for Inter’s Nicolo Barella, who might be available next summer for £77m.

MAN UTD ON ALERT AFTER FABRIZIO ROMANO UPDATE

Barcelona are not in contract talks with Man Utd-linked Frenkie de Jong, despite reports claiming that to be the case. Barca also need to fix several issues regarding Financial Fair Play regulations before they can give the midfielder a new deal. (Fabrizio Romano)

Former Belgium and Newcastle star Philippe Albert has expressed his surprise that Everton midfielder Amadou Onana did not join a major club in the summer. (La Capitale)

The agent of Romelu Lukaku, Sebastien Ledure, has suggested Saudi teams spending huge sums of money made it difficult for him to secure a European transfer for his client. (RTL)

Lionel Messi has surprisingly named his Argentina team-mate Cristian Romero as the best defender in the world right now, in news which will delight Tottenham fans. (Telemundo)

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Marco Verratti turned down a call-up to the Italy squad as he is focusing on finalising his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Qatari club Al Arabi. (L’Equipe)

Real Madrid will swoop in for Man City attacker Julian Alvarez if Pep Guardiola’s side land Evan Ferguson from Brighton as Erling Haaland’s new strike partner. (Sport)

Madrid are also aiming to snare pacy left-back Alphonso Davies from Bayern. Davies is in the middle of a contract stand-off with Bayern. (Marca)

New Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu says he joined the club due to their ‘new cycle’ under Mauricio Pochettino, as well as the legends that have played at Stamford Bridge in the past. (Le Parisien)

West Ham were confirmed as holding an interest in Sevilla hitman Youssef En-Nesyri as a replacement for striker Gianluca Scamacca in the summer. However, the Irons never took their interest further by submitting a bid. (Estadio Deportivo)