Liverpool keen on to sign in-demand Ligue 1 forward and €35m-rated Brazil international
Liverpool were allegedly among a host of sides ‘watching’ Reims forward Hugo Ekitike in Ligue 1 action recently.
The 19-year-old Frenchman has attracted a lot of interest from the Premier League of late and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United were said to be close to agreeing a January deadline day swoop.
Having failed to clinch transfer, the Reds, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are also understood to have sent scouts to monitor the teenager, 90min reports.
The report adds that representatives of the Merseyside club were there to ‘cast an eye’ on the France youth international starlet.
This season Ekitike has netted 10 times and registered four assists in 22 outings across all competitions – including a goal with emissaries from all around Europe in attendance.
Rated at £5.4 million and under contract until June 2024 (Transfermarkt), the sum for signing the ace likened to Kylian Mbappe would be very small compared to the real thing.
In other news, Barcelona boss Xavi is reportedly poised to tie Liverpool target Gavi down to a fresh contract at Camp Nou.
His emergence has reportedly attracted the attention of the Reds, with the club preparing to activate his €50m (£43m) exit clause if Blaugrana cannot reach an agreement with the midfielder over an extension.
According to Sport, the manager is pushing for his side to agree a fresh deal with him with a significantly higher buy-out clause and wage, as the ace is reported to earn just £1.600 per week under his existing terms.
Man United and Liverpool have both made an approach for Ajax forward Antony Matheys, according to reports in Brazil. Brazil international has been one of Ajax’s standout performers under Erik ten Hag this campaign, scoring 12 goals and registering 10 assists in 33 games.
Man United are looking to strengthen their front-line after a woeful season, and it’s understood that the Dutch manager has identified Matheus as a signing who could immediately improve his team. Liverpool are also in the running to add Antony and have made a concrete approach ‘in recent weeks’ along with Man United.
Erik ten Hag has now worked with the 22-year-old winger for two campaigns at Ajax, and the attacker was quick to make an impact in the Eredivisie following his arrival from Sao Paulo in an £18.2m deal in 2020. Newcastle United have also made an approach, but the Brazilian attacker’s preference would be to join either Man United or Liverpool.
Erik ten Hag made his admiration for the South American attacker clear. ‘If Antony were to go, it would be a loss for Ajax,’ the Dutch coach said. ‘You have no one in the current squad who can take over his position. He is top class.’ The Brazilian’s current contract with Eredivisie giants expires in 2025.
Speaking about Matheus’ impact on the Ajax team earlier this month, Erik ten Hag said: ‘Without Antony it is all a bit less fast and dynamic on the right, which also makes it more difficult for the team. Then the spaces become a lot smaller.’
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