Paper Talk: Major twist leaves Liverpool sweating in Haaland chase; Leeds target has bargain £8m exit clause There has been a major twist in Liverpool’s proposed move for Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, while a top Leeds target could be available for just £8million, according to Thursday’s transfer gossip. DORTMUND DEAL LIVERPOOL HAALAND BLOW Borussia Dortmund are ‘optimistic’ that star striker Erling Haaland will pen a new deal at the club after denying reports of a £68million release clause. Reports in Germany suggested an exit clause exists for the Liverpool target that would allow the prolific Norwegian forward to leave in 2021 – but Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has rebuked those claims. Watzke, in an interview with Bild, as cited in The Sun: “There is no such agreement.” Both Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid, have been linked with a move for the prolific 20-year-old. But it is Jurgen Klopp’s men who are considered the strong favourites to sign the attacker, particularly after comments from RB Salzburg’s sporting director Cristoph Freund. However, all three European clubs could miss out if Dortmund chief Watzke, 61, has his way. He added: “It is about convincing the player of your club and your plans. We really want Erling to stay with us longer and we want to convince him and his agent of this. “I am quite optimistic. I think Erling is comfortable at BVB. “We can definitively say that he took the right step last winter by signing for our club. “I would consider it a mistake if he moved on after such a short amount of time.” Haaland rejected United to join Dortmund from RB Salzburg for £18m in December 2019. He has made another fast start to the Bundesliga season, bagging five goals in as many games. And according to CIES Football Observatory’s list of the most valuable players born in the 2000s, Haaland is fourth with a value of £108m. The Norway star has also now scored a remarkable 14 goals in just 11 Champions League games, folowing his brace against Club Bruges on Wednesday night. Subscribe to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter… LEEDS TARGET AVAILABLE FOR £8M Leeds United transfer target Michael Olise has a release clause of just £8m in his Reading contract, according to reports. (Daily Express) Tottenham could consider bringing Christian Eriksen back from Inter Milan in the January transfer window, according to reports from Italy. (Daily Express) Juventus director Fabio Paratici has talked up his club’s chances of landing Paul Pogba in the transfer market. (Daily Mirror) Manchester United moved to sign youngster Amad Diallo after missing out on preferred target Moussa Diaby. (Daily Mirror) Cristiano Ronaldo has been blasted as ‘ignorant’ by former Juventus defender Pasquale Bruno, who accused the superstar of lacking respect for his team-mates. (Daily Mirror) ARSENAL STAR SET FOR NEW DEAL Arsenal are preparing to discuss a contract extension for Mohamed Elneny following his excellent start to the season. (Daily Mail) Barcelona are reportedly plotting a summer transfer bid for Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. (The Sun) Chelsea will ‘try again’ for West Ham star Declan Rice in January. (The Sun) Manchester City and Liverpool are among the four clubs fighting it out for David Alaba’s signature. (The Sun) Ruthless Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will axe John Stones again to hand the defender another huge blow. (Daily Star) AND MORE GOSSIP Roman Abramovich has blocked Chelsea’s move for Juventus outcast Paulo Dybala to protect new signings Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, according to reports in Italy. (Daily Star) The Premier League will hold talks with broadcasters as to whether it should continue with the pay-per-view system following a meeting of all 20 clubs on Thursday. (Daily Telegraph) Philip Cocu’s future as the Derby County manager is in doubt after a late goal from the substitute Macauley Bonne gave QPR victory. (The Times) The Scottish Football Association are set to make 18 staff redundant, with chief executive Ian Maxwell preparing for a series of cost-cutting measures as a result of the pandemic. (The Times) Talks between Spain defender Sergio Ramos and his club Real Madrid over a new contract have started. (ESPN) Mark Wilson claims Nice are set to lodge a £10m bid for Celtic star Ryan Christie in January. (Scottish Sun) Former Rangers and Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan has joined Belgian side Charleroi as he attempts to reboot his career. (Daily Record) The post Paper Talk: Major twist leaves Liverpool sweating in Haaland chase; Leeds target has bargain £8m exit clause appeared first on teamtalk.com.

There has been a major twist in Liverpool’s proposed move for Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, while a top Leeds target could be available for just £8million, according to Thursday’s transfer gossip.

 

DORTMUND DEAL LIVERPOOL HAALAND BLOW

Borussia Dortmund are ‘optimistic’ that star striker Erling Haaland will pen a new deal at the club after denying reports of a £68million release clause.

Reports in Germany suggested an exit clause exists for the Liverpool target that would allow the prolific Norwegian forward to leave in 2021 – but Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has rebuked those claims.

Watzke, in an interview with Bild, as cited in The Sun: “There is no such agreement.”

Both Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid, have been linked with a move for the prolific 20-year-old.

But it is Jurgen Klopp’s men who are considered the strong favourites to sign the attacker, particularly after comments from RB Salzburg’s sporting director Cristoph Freund.

However, all three European clubs could miss out if Dortmund chief Watzke, 61, has his way.

He added: “It is about convincing the player of your club and your plans. We really want Erling to stay with us longer and we want to convince him and his agent of this.

“I am quite optimistic. I think Erling is comfortable at BVB.

“We can definitively say that he took the right step last winter by signing for our club.

 

“I would consider it a mistake if he moved on after such a short amount of time.”

Haaland rejected United to join Dortmund from RB Salzburg for £18m in December 2019.

He has made another fast start to the Bundesliga season, bagging five goals in as many games.

And according to CIES Football Observatory’s list of the most valuable players born in the 2000s, Haaland is fourth with a value of £108m.

The Norway star has also now scored a remarkable 14 goals in just 11 Champions League games, folowing his brace against Club Bruges on Wednesday night.

 

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LEEDS TARGET AVAILABLE FOR £8M

Leeds United transfer target Michael Olise has a release clause of just £8m in his Reading contract, according to reports. (Daily Express)

Tottenham could consider bringing Christian Eriksen back from Inter Milan in the January transfer window, according to reports from Italy. (Daily Express)

Juventus director Fabio Paratici has talked up his club’s chances of landing Paul Pogba in the transfer market. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United moved to sign youngster Amad Diallo after missing out on preferred target Moussa Diaby. (Daily Mirror)

Cristiano Ronaldo has been blasted as ‘ignorant’ by former Juventus defender Pasquale Bruno, who accused the superstar of lacking respect for his team-mates. (Daily Mirror)

 

ARSENAL STAR SET FOR NEW DEAL

Arsenal are preparing to discuss a contract extension for Mohamed Elneny following his excellent start to the season. (Daily Mail)

Barcelona are reportedly plotting a summer transfer bid for Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. (The Sun)

Chelsea will ‘try again’ for West Ham star Declan Rice in January. (The Sun)

Manchester City and Liverpool are among the four clubs fighting it out for David Alaba’s signature. (The Sun)

Ruthless Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will axe John Stones again to hand the defender another huge blow. (Daily Star)

 

AND MORE GOSSIP

Roman Abramovich has blocked Chelsea’s move for Juventus outcast Paulo Dybala to protect new signings Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, according to reports in Italy. (Daily Star)

The Premier League will hold talks with broadcasters as to whether it should continue with the pay-per-view system following a meeting of all 20 clubs on Thursday. (Daily Telegraph)

Philip Cocu’s future as the Derby County manager is in doubt after a late goal from the substitute Macauley Bonne gave QPR victory. (The Times)

The Scottish Football Association are set to make 18 staff redundant, with chief executive Ian Maxwell preparing for a series of cost-cutting measures as a result of the pandemic. (The Times)

Talks between Spain defender Sergio Ramos and his club Real Madrid over a new contract have started. (ESPN)

Mark Wilson claims Nice are set to lodge a £10m bid for Celtic star Ryan Christie in January. (Scottish Sun)

Former Rangers and Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan has joined Belgian side Charleroi as he attempts to reboot his career. (Daily Record)

 

The post Paper Talk: Major twist leaves Liverpool sweating in Haaland chase; Leeds target has bargain £8m exit clause appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Robert McCarthy