Here is all the latest Liverpool news from Monday 5 August. There are surprise links between Everton and former defender Joel Matip, while Dominic Solanke could earn the Reds a small fortune.
EVERTON MAKE CONTACT WITH LIVERPOOL ICON JOEL MATIP
Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton could make a shock move for free agent Joel Matip this summer.
The Liverpool cult hero, who made 201 appearances for the Reds and won the Champions League and Premier League at Anfield, was released by the club at the end of the 2023/24 season.
According to an exclusive from CaughtOffside, former Red Matip is now wanted by Everton, Fulham and Bayer Leverkusen as the 2024/25 season draws closer.
The report states that all three clubs have made contact with Matip’s representatives and they now have ‘all the information about the defender’s situation’.
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DOMINIC SOLANKE SELL-ON CLAUSE CONCERNS SPURS
Liverpool aren’t thought to be in the market to re-sign former striker Dominic Solanke — but that doesn’t mean they won’t have a say on where he ends up this summer, if he’s to leave Bournemouth.
Nottingham, England, 23rd December 2023. Dominic Solanke of Bournemouth celebrates scoring his three goals by keeping the match ball during the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. Picture credit should read: Andrew Yates / Sportimage EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. SPI-2828-0053
Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing the 26-year-old in the coming weeks, with head coach Ange Postecoglou reportedly ready to dip into the transfer market to replace Harry Kane, some 12 months after their former talisman left for Bayern Munich.
According to a report from the Mirror, Bournemouth are holding out for £65 million to secure Solanke’s services. This is in no small part down to a sell-on clause in his contract that entitles Liverpool to a 20 per cent share of any profit from Solanke’s transfer.
The financial implications of this clause mean that Bournemouth need to demand a substantial amount to ensure a significant profit after paying Liverpool’s share. This situation presents a significant hurdle for Tottenham, who are aiming to negotiate a lower fee.
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MANUEL NEUER RECOMMENDED BY FORMER COACH
Former Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has revealed his personal frustration at the club’s failure to sign several goalkeepers he recommended during his tenure before the Reds recruited the exceptional Alisson.
Chelsea v Liverpool Premier League 13/08/2023. Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker 1 warming up before the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, London, England on 13 August 2023. Editorial use only DataCo restrictions apply See www.football-dataco.com , Copyright: xIanxStephenx PSI-17824-0337
Achterberg, who served the Reds from 2009 until his departure this summer, detailed his attempts to bring high-calibre goalkeepers to Anfield, only to see the moves fall through.
Sharing his insights on the Aldo Meets podcast with ECHO columnist John Aldridge, he said: “Actually, my first goalie I said to [former sporting director Damien] Comolli was [Manuel] Neuer at Schalke. I said he would be good for us, but he said he’s going to Bayern.
The second goalkeeper he recommended was Samir Handanovic, who was at Udinese at the time. However, “Comolli said he didn’t like it.”
“I watched him against Ireland. He’s physical, deals well with it, is a good shot-stopper, and is of good size. Then he went to Inter Milan.”
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LEEDS UNITED INTERESTED IN BOBBY CLARK
Leeds United have joined the race to sign exceptional Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark this summer, with the Reds having already rejected an RB Salzburg bid for the midfielder.
Bobby Clark Liverpool
The 19-year-old star in the making excelled for Liverpool during a breakout season in 2023/24, featuring 12 times for the Reds and winning the Carabao Cup.
Naturally, Clark is on a number of clubs’ radar before the window slams shut, with former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders seeing a £6m RB Salzburg bid rejected for his services.
According to Football Insider, Leeds United are also now interested in Clark. They will have to compete with RB Salzburg, Norwich City and Sheffield United for his services.
Previous reports have suggested that an offer of £12m could tempt the Reds but there have also been claims that Liverpool are unwilling to let Clark leave permanently this summer, preferring a loan deal instead.
