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"Hopefully they stay": Diaz urges Salah to stay ahead of summer of change
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F38%2Fluis-diaz_1.jpg "Liverpool's Luis Diaz pictured on September 21, 2024")
Luis Diaz has revealed his desperation for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to stay at Liverpool amidst speculation they will not renew their contracts.
The Reds beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 on Sunday at Anfield, with Diaz scoring one and winning Salah's penalty in the first half.
Liverpool lead second-placed Arsenal by seven points in the Premier League title race, but despite boasting such a healthy advantage, the team continued to be plagued by speculation that they could lose all three of Van Dijk, Salah and Alexander-Arnold for free in the summer.
Speaking to Telemundo in the aftermath of the Wolves win, Diaz spoke of his desire for the trio to stay, saying: "I've said it before. They are super important for us. It's up to the club, but hopefully they'll stay because what they bring to the team is impressive. What they have done, what they have won."
Blues' 'priority' target revealed as Maresca seeks upgrade on Sanchez in summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Frobert-sanchez.jpg "Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in November 2024.")
It has been claimed that Chelsea are willing to match Liverpool's £40m valuation of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher as he has emerged as a priority target.
The Blues were beaten 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday, a match in which the Londoners failed to produce a single shot on target.
Enzo Maresca's side were also eliminated from the FA Cup by Brighton on February 8, and that leaves the Conference League as his only chance of silverware this season.
The manager and several of his players have faced increasing criticism in recent weeks, with the likes of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez questioned after making high-profile errors against teams such as Manchester City.
"He has been offered a contract": Carragher's bombshell update on Salah contract
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fmohamed-salah_1.jpg "Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during his side's Champions League match against Lille, on January 21, 2025")
Mohamed Salah has been offered a new contract by Liverpool despite his claims to the contrary, Reds legend Jamie Carragher has claimed.
The Reds are currently first in the Premier League with 60 points and are seven points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, but they could move 10 points ahead should they beat Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Not much has gone wrong on the pitch for the Merseysiders, but as the 2024-25 season approaches its final stages, fans have become increasingly worried that Salah could leave the club for free given he is out of contract at the end of the season.
Salah has previously claimed that there has been nothing to report in regard to news about his future, but Carragher revealed that the Egyptian has been offered a new deal, saying on The Overlap's Fan Debate: "Do not believe he hasn't been offered a contract. I can actually assure you he has been offered a contract."
Boost for United and Blues as Premier League defender's 'release clause' revealed
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F01%2Fruben-amorim_1.jpg "Man United head coach Ruben Amorim on December 30, 2024")
Manchester United and Chelsea have reportedly received a boost in their pursuit of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who is said to have a £50m release clause written into his Bournemouth contract.
United suffered their 12th loss in the Premier League this season against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, losing 1-0 after Andre Onana's error allowed James Maddison to poke home the winner, and the result saw them drop to 15th place.
Sixth-placed Chelsea lost 3-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday in the league, and the defeat has helped ramp up the pressure on boss Enzo Maresca.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth ended the weekend in fifth place after beating Southampton 3-1 on Saturday, winning their sixth Premier League game in eight top-flight fixtures, with centre-back Huijsen an integral part of their Champions League-chasing squad.
Man United send scouts to watch £200,000-a-week striker?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F46%2Fgalatasaray.jpg "Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray on November 10, 2024")
Manchester United have reportedly sent scouts to watch Victor Osimhen in action for Turkish giants Galatasaray.
The Red Devils are already drawing up summer plans in a bid to avoid a repeat of what is proving to be a disappointing season.
Man United are languishing in 15th place in the Premier League table after mustering just 29 points from 25 matches.
Their lack of threat in front of goal has proven to be one of the main factors behind their struggles, with 28 league goals making them the fifth-lowest scorers in the top flight this season.
Liverpool 'lining up' audacious Isak swap deal
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F02%2Falexander-isak_1.jpg "Newcastle United's Alexander Isak on January 7, 2025")
Liverpool are reportedly prepared to table an audacious swap deal to sign Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international has established himself as one of the best forwards in the Premier League since joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022.
Isak has racked up 54 goals in 96 competitive appearances during his time with the Magpies, including 48 goals in 75 Premier League matches.
The 25-year-old has been in particular fine form this season, netting 17 goals in 23 top-flight games to leave him in fourth place in the Premier League scoring charts.
'My future is here': Man City midfielder makes transfer statement
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fmaximo-perrone.jpg "Manchester City's Maximo Perrone on July 23, 2024")
Como loanee Maximo Perrone has expressed his desire to join the Serie A club on a permanent transfer from Manchester City.
Perrone joined Man City from Velez Sarsfield in his native Argentina for around £8m in January 2023, but he has made only two senior appearance for Pep Guardiola's side.
The 22-year-old made his Premier League debut as a second-half substitute in a 4-1 win at Bournemouth on February 25, 2023, three days before coming off the bench again in a 3-0 FA Cup victory at Bristol City.
Perrone remained on the fringes of Man City's senior squad during their historic treble-winning campaign before spending last season on loan in Spain with Las Palmas, where he made 29 La Liga appearances.
Man City plot 'significant offer' for midfielder, but Real Madrid may scupper move
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fnico-paz.jpg "Como's Nico Paz on January 20, 2025")
Manchester City have reportedly joined Arsenal and Inter Milan in the race to sign Como star Nico Paz.
After spending eight years on the books at Real Madrid and making only eight senior appearances, including four last season, Paz opted to seek pastures new in search of regular game time and joined Serie A outfit Como on a permanent deal last summer.
Managed by Cesc Fabregas, Como paid around €6m to sign Paz, who has established himself as a key first-team midfielder, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 23 Serie A appearances.
The 20-year-old's impressive performances in Italy are understood to have caught the eye of several top European clubs, with Fabregas's former club Arsenal and reigning Serie A champions Inter said to be interested in signing the youngster this summer.
€100m transfer tussle: Arsenal among clubs 'in contact' with in-demand midfielder
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fflorian-wirtz.jpg "Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz on February 15, 2025")
Premier League trio Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly all in contact with Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz over a big-money summer transfer.
The 21-year-old has been a standout performer for Leverkusen since making his debut in 2020, but speculation over his long-term future with the Bundesliga club has been rife for some time.
Recent reports claim that Man City manager Pep Guardiola has identified Wirtz as his 'dream replacement' for club legend Kevin De Bruyne this summer and the Citizens are 'ready for a face-off' with Real Madrid for his signature.
De Bruyne is out of contract in the summer and the soon-to-be 34-year-old is yet to agree fresh terms with the Citizens, with MLS and Saudi Pro League clubs believed to be interested in his services.
Tomori speaks on transfer speculation: Was Premier League return ever likely?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F05%2Ffikayo-tomori_1.jpg "Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan during his side's game against Juventus, on January 18, 2025")
AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has suggested that he was never close to a winter transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.
Tomori departed Chelsea for San Siro in January 2021 in search of regular football having dropped down the pecking order at his boyhood club.
The move proved to be an inspired choice with the England international having since made 167 appearances in all competitions and won a Serie A title.
However, there was talk during the latter stages of the recent transfer window that Tomori may return to the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur.
Courtois admits to being a Man United fan, explains why transfer was blocked
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fthibaut-courtois.jpg "Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois on February 15, 2025")
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has admitted that he became a fan of Manchester United in his younger years and wanted to join the club, but a transfer to Old Trafford was ultimately blocked by David de Gea.
Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Courtois began his career in his native Belgium with Genk where he spent 10 years in their academy and two years as a senior player between 2009 and 2011 before joining Chelsea.
Before making the move to Stamford Bridge, Courtois had his eyes set on a transfer to Man United, as he grew up admiring legendary goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, while he also had an offer on the table from Tottenham Hotspur.
A move to either Man United or Spurs failed to materialise, with the former opting to sign De Gea instead under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011 following Van de Sar's retirement.
Man City to battle Real Madrid for £85m De Bruyne replacement?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fpep-guardiola-carlo-ancelotti.jpg "Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti on May 9, 2023")
Manchester City are reportedly set to go head-to-head with Real Madrid for the signing of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz this summer.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Europe and has developed into an integral first-team player at Leverkusen under head coach Xabi Alonso.
Wirtz is a 29-cap Germany international and has already notched up 56 goals and 62 assists in 187 senior appearances for Leverkusen across all competitions.
He was named 2023-24 Bundesliga Player of the Season after recording 11 goals and 12 assists in 32 league matches to help Leverkusen with their first-ever German top-flight title, lift the DFB-Pokal and go the entire domestic campaign unbeaten.
Vinicius Junior 'issues wage demand' to Real Madrid amid £830m Saudi offer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F07%2Fvinicius-junior.jpg "Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior on February 11, 2025")
Vinicius Junior is reportedly 'waiting for developments' over a new contract at Real Madrid after 'setting a price for his renewal'.
The 24-year-old has transformed into one of the best players in world football since joining Los Blancos in 2018, and he has already won 14 trophies with the club, including three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues.
Vinicius has scored 101 goals and provided 85 assists in 296 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions, including 16 goals and 12 assists in 31 matches so far this season.
Speculation over the future of the 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up has been rife in recent weeks, though, amid reported interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
"Nobody's panicking": Why fans should stay calm despite Van Dijk's Barca links
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F08%2Fdavid-lynch-and-virgil-van-dijk.png "Nobody should panic about Virgil van Dijk's future")
Virgil van Dijk's preference of staying at Liverpool remains unchanged despite links to Barcelona, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has revealed.
The Dutchman led his side to a 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, and the centre-back performed excellently despite coming under significant pressure in the second half.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, fans have become increasingly worried that the Reds' captain could leave the club for a European rival like Barcelona, who have been linked with the defender in recent weeks.
When asked about whether there has been an update in regard to a potential departure, Lynch told Sports Mole that there has been no movement as Van Dijk's priority is to stay at Liverpool, saying: "Not as far as I'm aware. I don't believe there's anything in that. My understanding very much is that Virgil van Dijk wants to stay at Liverpool, and that is recent information.
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