Liverpool face tough competition from Newcastle United to sign £42 million rated star - Reports

Liverpool's quest for the highly sought-after £42 million-rated Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has encountered an unexpected hurdle.

Newcastle United are aiming to fill a significant void left by the impending long-term ban on their star signing, Sandro Tonali. Hence, they have set their sights on Phillips, as per The Chronicle.

The 27-year-old England international has a magnetic presence in the midfield and has garnered attention from multiple Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. However, Newcastle's determined pursuit now adds a layer of complexity to the transfer narrative.

Newcastle United's quest to recover from the loss of Tonali adds an intriguing twist to this transfer saga. The Magpies are no strangers to the Financial Fair Play (FFP) challenges that shape their approach to signing a replacement. The looming FFP restrictions make pursuing a high-value transfer an intricate endeavor.

Newcastle United's FFP-related history has led them to pursue loan deals as a financially prudent alternative. Kalvin Phillips, a formidable option for their midfield, could join their ranks through a loan agreement with a future purchase clause.

The complexity of the FFP landscape has influenced this approach, and Manchester City, Phillips' current club, seems open to such an arrangement. The former Leeds United star has made 27 appearances for Manchester City since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium in July 2022.

However, he is not getting regular game time under Pep Guardiola in the ongoing season, which could prompt him to leave should an offer come from other big clubs.

With the winter transfer window approaching quickly, Newcastle United and Liverpool are expected to intensify their efforts to secure Phillips. It will be interesting to see if Phillips will switch to either of the two clubs or stay at City and fight for his place under Guardiola's leadership.

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Liverpool faces stiff competition in race for Schalke's Assan Ouedraogo

Liverpool's pursuit of Schalke's Assan Ouedraogo has taken an intense twist as they face a growing list of competitors for the young midfielder.

While many clubs, including Eintracht Frankfurt, have joined the race to sign Ouedraogo, Schalke insists on a further contract extension.

Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg revealed that Eintracht Frankfurt had initiated discussions about securing Ouedraogo's services.

However, the 17-year-old midfielder's management is currently in talks with several clubs, including Liverpool, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, and Napoli.

Ouedraogo's release clause further complicates the Reds' pursuit, as it varies depending on the destination club's European competition status, ranging from €7 million to €20 million. All these developments suggest that the Reds will face a challenging battle to secure Ouedraogo's signature.