Welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Today's stories feature speculation regarding Liverpool’s interest in Real Madrid duo along with Manchester United holding initial talks with a Napoli superstar. On that note, let's take a look at the major happenings across Europe that made headlines on March 31, 2017.
Liverpool to sign Real Madrid duo for £92 million
Liverpool are planning a summer raid of Real Madrid to bring stars James Rodriguez and Marco Asensio to Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s side had started the season brightly but saw their title challenge fall apart in the absence of Sadio Mane – who was away on national duty with Senegal for the African Cup of Nations.
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According to the Sun, the Reds are planning to splash £92 million for the out of favour Real Madrid stars. Rodriguez has struggled for game time under Zinedine Zidane and has been heavily linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu. Marco Asensio has also fallen down the pecking order and has been selected sporadically to play for Los Blancos.
The report adds that Jurgen Klopp has identified the duo to help his team prepare for a title challenge next season and the Reds will take advantage of their lack of game time to lure them to England.
Manchester United hold talks with Napoli forward
According to Italian website Football Italia, Manchester United have opened talks with Napoli striker Dries Mertens over a potential move to Old Trafford. The Belgium forward’s contract with the Naples outfit expires at the end of next season and he is a much viable option for the Red Devils to continue their redevelopment under Jose Mourinho.
The Old Trafford outfit broke the transfer record when they signed Paul Pogba in the summer and also spent heavily on reinforcements. However, despite the huge outlay United have struggled to challenge for the Premier League title this season and plan further investments to help the club compete for silverware.
The report adds that there have been telephonic conversations between the two parties but a transfer fee is yet to be agreed with the Serie A side. But given the financial clout of Manchester United, if they want to sign a player they will not be deterred by his price tag.
Premier League clubs scout Andrea Belotti
Andrea Belotti has established himself as one of the best strikers in the Serie A – if not the world. The Italian has scored 24 goals so far this season and has caught the interest of some of the biggest clubs across Europe.
According to Calciomercato, Premier League duo Manchester United and Chelsea have sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old over the weekend – when Torino will be taking on Udinese in a Serie A clash.
The Italian striker had recently extended his contract amidst strong interest from Chelsea and Arsenal, following which a €100m buy-out clause was inserted into the forward’s contract. It is expected that any team which wants to sign the Italian hitman will have to meet the release clause to enter into contract negotiations with the player.
The Italian international is only 23 years of age and has a good 8 to 10 years of top level football in him. Any team that succeeds in securing his signature will be relaxed on the goals front for years to come.
Chelsea confident of beating Manchester City to the signature of Virgil van Dijk
According to Daily Mirror, Chelsea are confident that they have beaten rivals Manchester City to the signature of in-demand Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk. The Saints defender was heavily linked with a move to the Etihad stadium in the winter transfer window but a deal couldn’t be finalised.
The 25-year-old is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury picked up in January and the Saints are fearing that he could be sidelined until the end of the season. The report adds that the Dutchman may have played his last game for the St. Mary’s outfit ahead of a £50 million move to Stamford Bridge.
Pep Guardiola is believed to be a huge admirer of the 25-year-old but it is now being reported that Van Dijk fits the bill of the type of defender that Conte wants at the club and has given his go ahead to the club to sign the defender.
