Liverpool transfer news amid Martin Zubimendi message and Hincapie stance (2024)

That's all folks

That's it for this blog, but you can catch all the latest transfer news over on today's live updates.

Bruno Guimaraes sends clear transfer message

Bruno Guimaraes has insisted he is happy at Newcastle, and has no intentions of leaving the club.

The midfielder has been previously linked with Liverpool, while it was suggested he could have been one of the big names to move on amid Newcastle's PSR struggles earlier in the summer. Speaking ahead of the new season though (via Fabrizio Romano), Guimaraes seemingly has no plans of moving on just yet:

I'm very happy at Newcastle, I never said I would like to leave! I always said I would like to put my name in the club's history. I can’t wait to do my best for the club and the fans

Teun Koopmeiners bid

Juventus has already sent a new bid to Atalanta for Teun Koopmeiners this week, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The midfielder has reportedly gone on strike at Atalanta as he looks to force through a move this summer. Liverpool has been linked, although it seems Juve is leading the charge.

The Turin club has reportedly tabled a $60m (€55m) package including add-ons, with contact between the two clubs expected soon.

Lutsharel Geertruida on 'shortlist'

Aston Villa is monitoring Lutsharel Geertruida as a potential option this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Feyenoord defender has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, although those rumors have gone quiet recently.

Villa is now said to have added the Dutch international to their shortlist, while he is also on RB Leipzig's radar, having been eyed up by the German club last year.

Piero Hincapie stance

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Piero Hincapie could leave Bayer Leverkusen this month.

The 22-year-old is said to be open to a new challenge, with talks taking place with top clubs.

No agreements have been made yet, although his stance may interest Liverpool, with the Reds having been linked with Hincapie a lot over the last year or so.

Sepp van den Berg offers rejected

Sepp van den Berg's future remains open, with six Bundesliga clubs having been involved in the race for his signature so far, according to Florian Plettenberg.

Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg, Mainz, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen has all either been keen to sign the defender, or remain interersted.

Mainz in particular is still hoping to secure another loan deal, although Liverpool is demanding up to $32m (£25m) for a permanent exit, having rejected all offers so far.

Fabio Carvalho latest

Fulham is interested in signing Fabio Carvalho this summer, the Daily Mail's Lewis Steele has told the Born n Red Playback channel.

Liverpool has already turned down an offer from Southampton for the young forward, although a permanent exit has not been ruled out this summer.

Leicester is also said to be keen, with the Reds keeping their options open.

Willian Pacho deal signed

It looks like it will be just a matter of time before Willian Pacho's move to PSG is confirmed.

Fabrizio Romano claims a deal has been signed after the Eintracht Frankfurt defender underwent a medical in Paris, with a five-year contract in the works.

That will of course end any hopes Liverpool may have had of signing him, with Pacho having been linked with a move to Anfield

Adrien Rabiot 'discussions'

It's a day with a Y in it, so of course we need an Adrien Rabiot rumor.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool has registered its interest in the French midfielder in case the move for Martin Zubimendi collapses.

Rabiot is claimed to be one of the names on the list of potential alternatives, with preliminary discussions having been held.

We've said it once and we'll say it again - it's not happening.

Real Sociedad sends clear Martin Zubimendi message

Do we think Real Sociedad is trying to tell us something here?

The Spanish club has announced its squad for tomorrow's friendly against Union Berlin. Not only is Martin Zubimendi included, but he's been placed front and center in the club's graphic.

Subtlety not Sociedad's strong point...

La convocatoria para el partido de mañana.#FCUnionRealSociedad pic.twitter.com/jIb2xt5SLi

— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) August 8, 2024

Martin Zubimendi 'agreement' in place

The Martin Zubimendi reports just keep coming today. Now Pedro Almeida has claimed there is an agreement in place between Liverpool and Real Sociedad.

It seems - if true - that the Reds will meet the midfielder's release clause of $65m (£51m/€60m).

Of course, there are so many varying reports at this stage that it's to know where exactly we stand.

Liverpool "pushing hard" for Zubimendi

It's a similar update from the Mail now, but perhaps a slightly more positive one. It reveals that Liverpool is "pushing hard" in the face of the charm offensive from Real Sociedad, trying to get a deal for Martin Zubimendi over the line.

Manager Imanol Alguacil is leading the drive from Real Sociedad's side, along with club executives. Zubimendi is yet to make up his mind.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich were both snubbed by Zubimendi last summer, according to the report. Liverpool hopes it can be successful.

Zubimendi "complication"

Uh-oh. Liverpool could have run into a problem as it tries to secure a deal for Martin Zubimendi.

In another update to The Times' story, Paul Joyce writes that Real Sociedad has launched a charm offensive to try and convince Zubimendi to stay. It's a "complication" for Liverpool as it pushes to complete the transfer.

Zubimendi has previously rejected overtures from other clubs, believed to include Arsenal and Barcelona. The "power play" from the Real Sociedad board could yet convince him to do the same again.

Danns to stay at Liverpool

Liverpool will not be sending Jayden Danns on loan this summer. That's because of a back issue.

According to the ECHO, Liverpool does not wish to put a timeframe on Danns' return. Involved at the start of pre-season, he missed the US tour due to the problem, and his recovery will now be managed at the club.

Assuming his recovery goes well, the decision could be revisited in January.

Big Zubimendi update

The Times has updated its story on Martin Zubimendi's proposed move to Liverpool. It claims that the Reds are now "confident" of securing a deal.

Liverpool hopes that Zubimendi will now push for a move. That might indicate that it intends to negotiate terms with Real Sociedad, rather than simply paying the full release clause, which would trigger a deal without the player having to force the matter.

Regardless, it seems Liverpool believes that a deal will get done.

Agger replaces Poulsen

No, this isn't a "Slow Sports News" takeover of the live blog. Daniel Agger has replaced Christian Poulsen — it's not an uninspired Roy Hodgson sub, but a change in personnel in the Danish coaching staff.

Poulsen was at the Euros as assistant manager, but Denmark is ringing the changes. Agger, a cult figure at Liverpool, will take over those duties, per Danish Scout.

Agger was previously head coach at HB Køge for two seasons from 2021 to 2023.

Duo drop out of Van den Berg race

Mainz and Hoffenheim have both backed away from efforts to sign Sepp van den Berg from Liverpool. That's per Bild.

The Mainz director is quoted as saying that Liverpool is holding out for more than $25m (£20m/€23m) for Van den Berg. His former loan club cannot afford that, and its fellow Bundesliga side has also balked at those demands.

It's thought that Wolfsburg and PSV retain an interest in the defender, but it remains to be seen if an agreement can be reached.

Celtic interested in Liverpool duo

Celtic is exploring potential deals for Ben Doak and Bobby Clark. That's per Paul Gorst, speaking on The Redmen TV.

Doak, of course, signed for Liverpool from Celtic. But the Reds could be looking to find him a loan for the new campaign, and his former club is open to the possibility.

Clark is similarly highly-rated among the club's youth prospects. He has a huge amount of loan interest, with swathes of Championship clubs in the mix, as well as both Celtic and Rangers.

Liverpool still "keen" on Gordon

Liverpool remains "keen" on adding Anthony Gordon this summer. That's according to North-East outlet The Journal.

Today's edition of the paper reiterates that Liverpool would still like to add Gordon to the ranks. The forward has returned to Tyneside following his post-Euros break, with Eddie Howe praising his training levels and focus.

But the saga will not go away. Give Me Sport has also claimed that Liverpool could make a move before the end of the window.

Howe makes Gordon admission

Eddie Howe has praised Anthony Gordon's work ethic since returning to Newcastle training, insisting his head is not elsewhere. That's after he was linked with a move to Liverpool.

"His mind is on Newcastle," Howe insisted. "He has been exceptional, focused on his work, fitness, everything to do with this football club. No distractions."

However, Howe admitted that anything can still happen in the transfer window:

"There'll always be the possibility that anyone could leave," he conceded. Despite the June 30 deadline passing, he revealed that Financial Fair Play continues to inform the club's decisions.

Hincapie available

Piero Hincapie could leave Bayer Leverkusen this month. He's been repeatedly linked to Liverpool, who may yet be in the market for another center-back.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Hincapie is open to a departure from Xabi Alonso's side. There have been "inquiries", while talks have been held with unnamed "top clubs".

As a left-footer, Hincapie would offer Liverpool a useful profile. But with the defender supposedly seeking a new challenge where he would be assured of starts, Anfield might not be the right destination.

Keita to leave Werder Bremen

Things have not worked out for Naby Keita since leaving Liverpool. His spell at Weder Bremen has been similarly injury-hit, and his debut campaign ended in ignominy when he was suspended for allegedly refusing to travel with the team after being left out of the side.

Now, per Fabrizio Romano, Werder Bremen has confirmed that Keita will leave the club permanently. Both sides are looking for a solution that would allow them to part ways.

It's a sorry state of affairs for a player who is still just 29. Liverpool was so keen to get him that it brokered a deal a year ahead of time, but fitness has been a constant battle.

Pacho set for PSG move

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Willian Pacho is undergoing his medical at PSG. That comes after links with Liverpool.

According to Florian Plettenberg, the 22-year-old will complete his move to the French capital today. He will sign a deal until 2029.

Pacho is one of the brighest young center-back talents around. PSG will pay up to $49m (£39m/€45m), inclusive of add-ons. It remains to be seen if Liverpool chooses to strengthen in defense.

Liverpool "goes big" for Zubimendi

Liverpool is "going very big" in an attempt to sell Martin Zubimendi on a move to Liverpool. That's per Fabrizio Romano.

With a buyout clause in place, Liverpool is confident it could stump up the funds to seal a transfer. So it's all about convincing Zubimendi, something Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all failed to do in recent times.

And the Reds are pushing hard to do so. Their directors are working to persaude the midfielder, as well as presenting him with the contract proposal.

Liverpool 'target' on strike

Reported Liverpool target Teun Koopmeiners is not training with Atalanta as he seeks to force a transfer. His coach has revealed that his heart is set on Juventus.

"The situation with him was going very well until last week, then the player decided to go to Juventus," Gasperini told L'Eco di Bergamo, via the Standard.

"He already has an agreement, he feels stressed and has decided not to play or train with us anymore.

"With this attitude he cannot be useful to the team, nor to his teammates. The club therefore has taken a very firm line, because we feel blackmailed by this situation."

Salah future questioned

According to Football Insider, the future of Mohamed Salah is not yet resolved. Saudi Arabia could yet table a massive proposal before the end of the transfer window.

Salah has played an important role under Arne Slot in pre-season. While there's still the contract question to answer, many assumed his future for the next 12 months was settled.

Luis Diaz decision

Luis Diaz will be staying put at Liverpool this summer, according to The Mirror.

The Colombia international has been linked with Barcelona and PSG, while the Reds' pursuit of Anthony Gordon put further doubt on his future.

With Barca deciding to go for Dani Olmo though, it seems a deal for Diaz would be out of reach, with the 27-year-old having returned to training with Liverpool this week.

Maximilian Beier 'talks'

Maximilian Beier has decided to join Borussia Dortmund, according to Florian Plettenberg.

It's claimed that Liverpool held talks in recent days for the Hoffenheim forward, but the German international has decided to make the move to Dortmund.

Talks are ongoing as the club looks to reach an agreement with Beier, before Dortmund then opens negotiations with Hoffenheim.

Real Sociedad 'expecting' Martin Zubimendi agreement

Real Sociedad expects Martin Zubimendi to agree a move to Liverpool, according to The Athletic.

It seems as though things are moving along quickly after the intial reports of Liverpool's interest. The Reds are exploring a deal to sign the Spain international, who has a $65m (£51m/€60m) release clause in his contract.

Sociedad is aware of Liverpool's interest, and if Zubimendi asks to leave the club, they will grant him his wish.