Liverpool transfer news

FULHAM are in talks to sign Brazil international Andre as a potential replacement for star man Joao Palhinha.The Cottagers have had a delegation in South America to try and line up a deal for the Fluminense midfielder, who has also been linked with Liverpool.
Andre is Fulham’s No1 target to replace Joao PalhinhaCredit: Getty
Star man Joao Palhinha appears likely to leave the CottagersCredit: Reuters
Marco Silva, who received assurances over backing in the transfer market before committing to a new deal last month, almost lost Palhinha on deadline day in September.
The Portuguese midfielder was in Germany ready to complete a move to Bayern Munich on the final day of the window before the plugged was pulled with Fulham unable to sign a replacement at short notice.
Palhinha quickly signed a new contract until 2028 at Craven Cottage but there are no assurances that he will stay at the club – meaning the West Londoners are having to draw up a succession plan.
Andre, who made his Brazil debut in June, is top of their list and the Whites are currently favourites to complete a deal.
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The 22-year-old has four goals and three assists in 162 appearances for Fluminense and helped the Brazilian side win the Copa Libatadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.
Fulham are also in the market to sign a striker in the January market as they continue to struggle following the sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic in the summer.
SunSport revealed this week that Silva is tracking a trio of strikers ahead of the winter window.
Santiago Gimenez at Feyenoord is an ambitious target, while AZ Alkmaar’s Vangelis Pavlidis and Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy are also being monitored.
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Pavlidis, who is the top scorer in the Eredivisie, would be available for around £20million though no official talks have been held so far.
Fulham take on Aston Villa on Sunday at 2pm.
They enter the game facing a Villa team in fine form – with the Villains winning their last 11 consecutive home games stretching back to last season. More

LIVERPOOL looks set to attempt to bolster their squad with their focus fixed on a talented Leed United youngster.England Under-19 star Archie Gray, 17, has reportedly been singled out by Jurgen Klopp’s side as a potential big-money addition.
Archie Gray has made fourteen appearances for Leeds United this seasonCredit: Rex
Gray has been compared to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: Alamy
After making fourteen appearances this season for Daniel Farke’s side, Gray’s value has skyrocketed, with the Daily Mail reporting that he could cost from £40-50 million.
Gray’s ability to play at right back and in the middle of the field has led to comparisons with Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, should Leeds decide to cash in on the starlet, Liverpool could reportedly face competition from fellow Premier League sides Everton and Crystal Palace.
A Leeds Academy graduate, Gray’s dad is none other than former Leeds star Andy Gray, while his grandfather is another United legend – Frank Gray.
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He is also a great-nephew of Whites legend Eddie Gray.
The latest Gray has been key to the success of Farke’s team this season, who sit third in the Championship.
Whether or not Leeds would let Gray leave so early in his career is unknown.
He himself admitted to Eddie Gray in an interview in October for United’s YouTube channel that he was always bound to play for Leeds.
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Gray explained: “Ever since I was young watching my dad play, heard about you playing, seeing clips of you playing and my grandad Frank, I always had to live up to it.”
He also admitted he would “love to play with” his younger brother Harry, 14, who is currently a member of Leeds’ Academy and has played for England’s Under-15s.
But whether or not he’s willing to wait for the next Gray to break through is unclear, given that he also discussed aiming to suit up for England.
Gray’s current contract is set to expire in June 2025.
Gray could reportedly fetch £40-50 millionCredit: Alamy
He is related to Leeds legend Eddie GrayCredit: Getty
Frank Gray is his grandadCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

JURGEN KLOPP could not hide his anger after being forced to do his post-match press conference in a TENT surrounded by rowdy Toulouse fans. Liverpool were beaten 3-2 in France and were denied a late equaliser due to a handball in the build up.
Jurgen Klopp could not hide his anger after his press conference was hijacked by Toulouse fans
It was safe to say Klopp was still fuming with the result and his mood was only worsened as Toulouse cheers filled the press conference room – which was staged in a the makeshift venue outside the stadium.
He blasted: “Who had the idea to do the press conference here? That will be a really interesting question. Wow.”
Klopp sighed and was even left head in hands as raucous Toulouse celebrations only picked up.
Liverpool found themselves 2-0 down when goals from Aron Donnum and Thijs Dallinga put the host’s ahead.
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A Cristian Casseres Jr own goal narrowed the lead until substitute Frank Magri made it 3-1.
Diogo Jota kickstarted a fight back on 89 minutes and Liverpool thought they had snatched a late leveller through Jarell Quansah.
But a handball in the build up from Alexis Mac Allister forced VAR to chalk off the equaliser – leaving Klopp raging.
He said: “I only saw the video back now and for me it’s not a handball, but how can I decide that?
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“The ball goes to the chest and then I don’t see a contact with the arm, to be honest. Maybe they had a different picture than I had.
“It was pretty long ago before we scored the goal and I thought, ‘Where is the free-kick?’
“I didn’t see it properly but I heard there could have been a penalty for us in another situation, I don’t know.
“Actually, I am a bit more concerned about [the fact that] I would have loved us to have played better, to be honest.
“That’s my main issue tonight. In a football way more aggressive.”
Toulouse beat Liverpool 3-2 in the Europa LeagueCredit: Reuters More

JAY SPEARING, 34, made a surprise appearance for Liverpool’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy last night.The midfielder made 55 appearances for Liverpool’s first team between 2010 and 2014 before leaving the club to join Bolton Wanderers.
Jay Spearing is a player-coach for Liverpool’s under-21sCredit: Rex
Spearing has made six appearances for Liverpool’s under-21s, including against former club BlackpoolCredit: Getty
Spearing made 55 appearances for Liverpool’s first-teamCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
From there, he embarked on a journeyman career which took in spells at Blackburn, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers.
Last year, he re-joined Liverpool as a coach for the team’s under-21s which also takes in a playing role.
That’s seen him make six appearances for the side’s under-21s as a player.
Despite being registered as one of the club’s three over 21s allowed to play for the youth side, his inclusion in the side still took Liverpool fans by surprise as they took on Barrow.
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The veteran opted to pair himself alongside Trey Nyoni, 16, in the midfield, who recently made his England U-21 debut.
Liverpool fans online were left confused by Spearing’s decision to include himself in the side, with one writing on X: “Jay Spearing playing in big 2023?”
Another wrote: “Why is Jay spearing still playing for Liverpool lmao”
A third wrote: “Jay spearing still at the club” alongside several crying emojis.
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And a fourth commented: “I bet Trey Nyoni never thought he’d play with Jay Spearing.”
Spearing’s inclusion in the XI was justified, however, as the midfielder pulled the strings in the middle of the park.
The player-coach substitute came off in the 58th minute with the club leading 1-0.
His withdrawal prompted a late turnaround for Barrow as they went on to win 2-1.
The EFL Trophy appearance was the midfielder’s first start of the season but he has previously made cameos from the bench, including against former club Blackpool.
Speaking about playing for the under-21s in his 30s, Spearing told Liverpool’s club website: “Any time I can get out on the pitch, get my boots back on and help the boys out, it’s an absolute pleasure and it’s good fun.
“It’s fun and that’s part of my role as well to still play – whether that be on the training field or playing for the U21s. It’s been a really enjoyable time so far.” More