Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd £180m plan, Liverpool deal announced, Barcelona contract boost

Posted Tuesday, September 17, 2019 by Express.co.uk

The weather isn't a problem

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists his agent was joking when saying the British weather would affect his decision to sign a new contract.

"He wanted to make a joke," Klopp told reporters. "I have to be serious. German humour, nobody got it. The weather was never a reason for me to choose a city.

"It's not a reason for me to leave the country. Maybe at the moment it's the most healthy weather in the world - we have enough rain, it's cool, pretty much the opposite of this room!

"There's nothing in that story. He's my agent and my friend."

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd £180m plan, Liverpool deal announced, Barcelona contract boost
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

Timo Werner pursuit

Bayern Munich will try to sign RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner next summer.

That's the opinion of ex-Germany midfielder Michael Ballack.

Werner, 23, has been linked with Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.

"He has expressed his gratitude to Leipzig with his contract extension. But I think next year a switch to Bayern could be on again," Ballack told TZ.

Neymar wanted Barca

PSG star Neymar has admitted he wanted to join Barcelona during the transfer window for 'personal reasons'.

"Everyone knows I wanted to leave," he said. "I made it very clear. I won't go into details though, because it affects others.

"But I'm still a PSG player and my intention is to be happy on the pitch. My mind is on PSG.

"I always made it clear that I don't have anything against PSG or the fans. They were personal reasons. I had my reasons and I tried my best to make it happen, but unfortunately they didn't let me."

Christian Eriksen snubs Spurs

Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen is prepared to snub any contract offers from the club.

Eriksen, 27, was tipped to leave north London this summer with the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona all linked at some stage.

The Dane admitted he would like a fresh challenge elsewhere - but the deadline came and went with Eriksen failing to secure a transfer.

Now, Spanish newspaper Marca claim he'll refuse any late approach from Tottenham to enable him to leave for free in the summer of 2020.

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd £180m plan, Liverpool deal announced, Barcelona contract boost
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic contract

Lazio are set to tie Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to a new contract.

The Serbia international has been on the radar of multiple European heavyweights including Manchester United and Real Madrid.

But it looks like the 24-year-old will be staying in Italy.

Calciomercato claim Milinkovic-Savic will sign a new five-year deal worth £51k per week.

Sandro Tonali - the new Pirlo

Manchester United are monitoring Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali.

Italian publication Calciomercato claim United representatives were in attendance to watch him in action during Brescia's 4-3 defeat to Bologna on Sunday.

Tonali, who has been compared to Andrea Pirlo by the Italian media, is also being assessed by European heavyweights Ajax and Borussia Dortmund.

"I hope Tonali remains in my hand as long as possible. If he wants to stay in Brescia, I am willing to keep him forever," said Brescia president Massimo Cellino.

"No one has called me yet for him, but it is logical that everyone likes him".

Dzeko wants Mkhi

Edin Dzeko wants Roma to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a permanent basis.

The Armenia international arrived at Roma from Arsenal on a season-long loan and it didn't take him long to settle in when scoring 22-minutes into his debut.

"I [expected the good performance] from him. I know him as a great player, and he is a very good addition to our attacking team who wants to play football," Dzeko told reporters after the game.

"I am one 100% sure he is going to be a big help for us. I was definitely happy to see this transfer happen."

Matic to Juve?

Juventus are keen on bringing Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic to Serie A.

Matic failed to make an appearance under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season until Saturday's win over Leicester.

But with Paul Pogba to return from injury, the Serbian will likely see his services reduced to bench duty once again.

And according to The Sun, Matic may not have to try his hand at cracking the first XI, as Juventus are in for his signature.

The report states that Matic's lack of playing time for United has put Juve, who wanted to bring Pogba back to Turn, on alert for the Serb.

James Maddison & Jadon Sancho

James Maddison and Jadon Sancho are top of Manchester United's wishlist.

That's according to ESPN FC, who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to bring the pair to Old Trafford next summer.

Maddison, 22, is thought to be valued at £80million by Leicester, while Borussia Dortmund's Sancho could cost upwards of £100m.

Solskjaer's side spent £150m on Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James last summer - and the Red Devils want to continue with the same transfer strategy.

Liverpool deal announced

Jake Cain has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool.

The teenager, 18, plays for Liverpool's Under-18 squad, where he's scored five goals and provided 16 assists in 29 appearances.

The European champions have rewarded the attacking midfielder with a long-term contract.

"A creative influence with an eye for goal, Cain already has several assists to his name this season as well as finding the net three times himself," Liverpool wrote on their official website.

Jake Cain has signed his first professional contract 🙌

The 18-year-old midfielder has been at the Academy since the age of nine 🔴 https://t.co/qYCnxeGweY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) 16 September 2019

Carles Perez to sign

Barcelona star Carles Perez is set to sign a new contract with the Spanish champions.

With injuries to several first-team stars including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele - Perez has started the last three La Liga fixtures under Ernesto Valverde.

And he's impressed - notching up a goal against Real Betis and two assists away to Osasuna.

Now, Spanish newspaper AS claim the 21-year-old star will sign a new long-term deal at the Nou Camp and the deal could be completed before the end of the month.

Sadio Mane valuation

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane is worth well in excess of £100million, according to Liverpool legend John Aldridge.

Mane, 27, has scored 65 goals and provided 23 assists in 129 appearances for the Reds since arriving from Southampton for a rock-bottom £34m.

"He [Mane] is there with Salah now as a scoring threat and if either of the pair were put up for sale by Liverpool (which is not happening by the way!) the fee they would command would be well beyond the £100m mark," he told the Irish Independent.

"Keeping those three fit is vital to Liverpool and Klopp's hopes of success this season, with the opening few weeks of this season confirming the European champions mean business in the Premier League."