Transfer Gossip

Liverpool to go Klopp-less but target Monaco pair, and Morgan Schneiderlin to reject Spurs for Arsenal (yes, that again)...

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Rickie Lambert to be used as 'bait' for Christian Benteke, Gundogan and Navas for United, Ancelotti for Hammers?

Arsenal agree deal for Vidal, Di Maria to PSG on loan with view to £50m move, Otamendi to United (for £36m?)...

SCHNEIDERLIN EDGES TOWARDS MOVE
The future of Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin was one of the transfer rumours which dominated the back pages last summer. Would he join the Saints exodus or seal his move to Arsenal or Spurs. He eventually stayed, but it always seemed a temporary solution to the problem.

Schneiderlin never hid his dream of playing in the Champions League, and quotes emerging from France late on Monday confirm it's one he still holds. "I think my decision is made," he told radio station RMC. "The goal is to stay in England. If I leave Southampton it will be for a club in the Champions League."

So then, the Schneiderlin checklist is: a) he wants to stay in England, and b) he wants to play in the Champions League. The only update here is that he hasn't changed his mind.

Just in case you haven't worked it out, all signs point to Arsenal. Now they just need a keeper and a striker and that Premier League challenge doesn't look so far away...



KLOPP NOT GOING TO LIVERPOOL
...and he still isn't going to West Ham, either. Although the Reds appear to have given Brendan Rodgers the dreaded vote of confidence, massive question marks remain over the Northern Irishman.

Of all the replacements, outgoing Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp seems perfect. Right man, right time, as it were. But reports from Germany may take any potential decision out of the Liverpool hierarchy's hands anyway. Bild report that the loveable German will take a 'sabbatical' after departing Dortmund this summer.

The German paper claims that the 47-year-old will take a break "at least until 2016". A stay of execution for Rodgers, perhaps? It seems certain that even Rafael Benitez won't be replacing him, so let's see if Brodge can get a summer right.



KONDOGBIA ONE OF THREE FOR REDS
So let's conclude with our Brendan. Liverpool need reinforcements this summer to say the least, but Rodgers' track record in transfers won't provide much hope for the Anfield faithful. Pretty much every position needs strengthening, so where will Brendan look first?

According to French newspaper L'Equipe, he'll take inspiration from the signing of Divock Origi and search in Ligue 1. A double deal could be on the cards, as the outlet claim that Monaco pair Geoffrey Kondogbia and Aymen Abdennour. With the principality club under pressure to adhere to FFP regulations with the imminent return of Radamel Falcao('s wages), player sales are inevitable, say L'Equipe.

At just 22, central midfielder Kondogbia fits the bill of a young and promising player, but he would certainly help solidify the Reds' midfield. He'd be a massive risk at £25million, but it might be one Liverpool have to take.

As for Abdennour, the 25-year-old has looked impressive in France, an arena in which Dejan Lovren's performances for Lyon were heavily-criticised not long ago. He'd provide competition for the Skrtels, Sakhos and Toures of this world, but could Liverpool be looking a little higher?



BEST OF THE REST
Newcastle are eyeing a shock move to make Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink their new manager...Tottenham have put Burnley's right-back Kieran Trippier on their shopping list...Defender Michael Dawson, 31, insists he will not leave relegated Hull City this summer...Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa wants the West Ham manager's job...Swansea are close to completing the signing of Heerenveen keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt...Everton defender Sylvain Distin is set to snub a move to Premier League new boys Bournemouth to return to France...Crystal Palace will listen to offers for striker Dwight Gayle...AC Milan want to keep on-loan Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel, 22, for another season...Didier Drogba has set his sights on MLS after revealing he could never play for another English club...Paris Saint-Germain are ready to step up their interest in Angel Di Maria by offering right-back Gregory van der Wiel in a cash plus player deal...Real Mardrid have rejected the chance to sign Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, 26, on a permanent deal...Aston Villa have made a £4m move for Swindon's Massimo Luongo and Ben Gladwin...Crystal Palace are set to listen to offers for captain Mile Jedinak.

United are expected to move for a striker this summer after Radamel Falcao's loan ended and the Frenchman is reportedly at the top of their list

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Louis van Gaal is expected to bolster his frontline this summer as his side return to the Champions League.
United have opted against making Radamel Falcao's loan move a permanent one while Robin van Persie has struggled for fitness over the course of the campaign.
And according to the Sun, Benzema is at the top of Van Gaal's wishlist.
It is claimed United are ready to pay £40million for the French striker, who was a target for Sir Alex Ferguson before his move to the Bernabeu.

 

Benzema joined Real from Lyon in 2009 and just last summer signed a new five-year deal with the Spanish giants.
However it is unclear if he fits into next season's plans, with Rafael Benitez expected to be appointed as Carlo Ancelotti's successor.
Benitez is reportedly ready to build his team around Gareth Bale and with Cristiano Ronaldo also taking centre stage, Benzema's future could well be in doubt.

Meanwhile, Javier Hernandez has returned to Old Trafford after his loan spell with Madrid came to an end.
The 26-year-old, who was Benzema's understudy for the large part of the campaign, is not part of Van Gaal's first-team plans and will be told to find a new club.
Tottenham are said to be keen while West Ham, Everton and La Liga side Valencia have also been linked.
 

Christian aid: Benteke has been linked with a move to Anfield

Brendan Rodgers will remain firmly in charge of directing Liverpool’s recruitment policy, despite the uncertainty about his future.
And that will see the Reds boss step up his long-standing interest in Christian Benteke with a firm and committed approach after the Belgium striker leads Aston Villa into this weekend’s FA Cup final.
The Irishman faces a robust review of his performance this season over the next fortnight, as he meets with the club’s American owners to determine the direction all football matters will make.
But with directors and principle shareholders John Henry, Mike Gordon and Tom Werner making it clear Rodgers retains their confidence for time being, he has been told to continue with his summer plans.
His most pressing need is for a striker who can deliver goals – and he has told his employers in no uncertain terms they must invest heavily in a centre forward who can take the load off the fragile frame of Daniel Sturridge.

Dave Thompson

Under pressure: Rodgers oversaw a 6-1 loss last weekend

The American owners have indicated they WILL take their manager’s advice and invest heavily in the big money striker Rodgers feels he desperately needed this season; and whose absence cost a top four place.
Benteke is now the number one target, and the Reds will step up a pursuit of the Belgium international that has quietly proceeded over the past two seasons.
After a deal for QPR’s Loic Remy fell through, Rodgers even considered a bid for the Villa man last summer, despite the player carrying a long term injury that kept him out until Christmas.
Liverpool have maintained that interest though, and sources suggests they will make a bid soon after the cup final for the 24 year old who went on a goals rampage in the last two months of the season.

Jan Kruger

MIA: Daniel Sturridge's season was blighted by injuries

Rodgers doesn’t want to stop there, even if his future is not entirely certain. He wants at least five new faces in the summer – and would dearly love more –and is also looking to offload upwards of seven players from his squad who are surplus to requirements.
That process of rebuilding began in earnest yesterday, with the club determined to hit the ground running this summer, as Rodgers handed new deals to young defender Andre Wisdom, and veteran Kolo Toure.
The Irishman is hoping Martin Skrtel will follow suit in joining the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Jordon Ibe in commiting their long term futures to the club...and hasn’t lost all hope of Raheem Sterling doing the game.

@LFC

New deal: Jordon Ibe has committed his future to the club

He also spoke with several players at the end of the season to tell them they are not in his plans and can leave the club if suitable offers come in.
Most immediately, Fabio Borini and Jose Enrique have been told to start looking at offers, but several more will have the same conversation in the coming weeks as Rodgers clears the decks.
Glen Johnson and Brad Jones will not have contracts renewed, while he is also likely to allow Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Javier Manquillo and even Lucas to leave, in addition to selling current on loan players like Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto.

Kolo Toure and Andre Wisdom have signed contract extensions at Anfield AND Alan Shearer slams Brendan Rodgers' poor record in the transfer market

Hitman: Mario Mandzukic is on Brendan Rodgers' wish list