If FSG relaxes the transfer rule, Liverpool may still be able to find an ace who outperformed Moisés Caicedo.

 

Moisés Caicedo was not signed by Liverpool

before Chelsea, therefore FSG may look at a

wildcard option that deviates from its

customary transfer policies.

 

 

 

Over the course of the past few weeks,

Jürgen Klopp has been on the hunt for a

new number six after he decided to let

Fabinho and Jordan Henderson move to

Saudi Arabia. After making progress in his

search, he essentially returned to square

one on Monday morning. The German boss

identified Moisés Caicedo as his man,

bidding $139m (£110m/€128m) for his

services last week, but a move has now collapsed.

Brighton and Hove Albion accepted the

offer, but rivals Chelsea refused to be beaten

in the battle for his signature, with the Blues

managing to raise slightly more in order to

bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Caicedo was the man that Liverpool wanted,

but Klopp is now going to have to look

elsewhere as he struggles to fill his midfield void.

 

 

It remains to be seen who will end up

replacing Fabinho, but with the transfer

window due to close in around two weeks,

FSG are working against the clock. The

market for holding midfielders is small right

now, which is why Liverpool could be forced

to explore a curveball option such as João Palhinha.

 

The Portuguese midfielder was a relatively

unknown quantity around 12 months ago,

having just experienced a prosperous

campaign with Sporting. It was Fulham who

recognized his ability on the field, with

fellow countryman Marco Silva making him

his marquee summer signing.

 

Palhinha made the switch to England and

quickly established himself as a real

fulcrum for the Cottagers. In fact, his

Premier League debut was against

Liverpool, and he made his presence known

by dominating the middle of the park and

helping Fulham secure a surprising 2-2 draw.

Over the course of the campaign, Palhinha

continued to impress, eventually becoming

regarded as one of the best players on

English shores on the defensive side of the game. He is the type of player who is

inclined to drift under the radar without

grabbing the headlines, but while always

being a positive contributor.

 

 

Indeed, he posted more tackles and

interceptions than any player in the whole

of the Premier League last term, ahead of

Chelsea-bound Caicedo in second. Palhinha painted himself as a real destructive type at

Craven Cottage, but one who can also play

with the ball at his feet.

 

Sign up for our EXCLUSIVE Liverpool.com newsletter!

 

 

If you enjoyed this piece, you’ll love our

Liverpool.com newsletter — every weekday,

we send exclusive, bonus content only to

people signed up for our mailing list!

Our newsletter subscribers get a rundown

Monday to Friday from one of the best

Liverpool FC writers — straight to your

inbox, and completely for free.

Wherever you are in the world — in the US,

the UK or further afield — you don’t want to miss out.

Klopp was keen to control him when

Liverpool faced Fulham at Anfield earlier

this year, and he said as much after the

bout. Darwin Núñez was tasked with

sticking to him when the Reds had to

defend, but he often got distracted.

“You could see in the beginning, defending

the center against Fulham is really

important because Palhinha is there and

that is their connector, get [him] on the ball.

We were a bit too early out there from

Darwin, we tried to fix that, but he wanted

to go for everybody and was like a racehorse.”

 

 

 

The big problem attached to his profile is his

age, as he’s now 28 years old, with Liverpool

and FSG usually favoring players who are

aged 26 or under. That major downside

perhaps explains why Klopp targeted

Caicedo instead, who is still just 21.

However, it is worth noting that despite his

age, Palhinha hasn’t played a great deal of

football across his career, meaning his legs

could be fresher than expected. He’s only

managed to accumulate roughly 16,500

minutes on the pitch at club level, meaning

he’s played around half as much as Fabinho,

who is less than two years older.

 

 

SIMILAR ARTICLES TO THIS

PSG makes Kylian Mbappé U-turn weeks

after Liverpool claim as Neymar close to

$98m transfer

At the time of his departure, Fabinho had

around 37,000 minutes in his legs at club

level, with Manchester United’s Casemiro —

who is regarded as one of the best — now on

around 33,000 club minutes at the age of 31.

Palhinha, although he isn’t particularly

young, still has plenty left in the tank in comparison.

The Portuguese international is injured

right now but despite his fitness setback,

Liverpool could take a gamble on him as

Klopp struggles to replace Fabinho at

Anfield. Palhinha has the qualities to

transform the ability of a team on the

defensive side of the game, and he could be

attainable in the coming weeks.

As a wildcard option, the Fulham kingpin is

lying in wait. FSG just need to bend their

usual transfer criteria.

 

READ MORE

 

TRANSFER CONFIDENTIAL: Chelsea will intensify their pursuit of Michael Olise

 

 

 

Deivid Washington, a striker, is also

scheduled to arrive from Santos on Monday

in preparation for his £17 million transfer

and seven-year deal. Chelsea’s spending

under Todd Boehly and Clearlake’s

leadership will approach the $1 billion

threshold thanks to the transfer fees.

The rumor is that Boehly might think about

moving in the opposite direction following

this window. To help Chelsea advance to the

next phase of their development, Boehly has

been actively looking for more financing.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s surprise loan departure

to Real Madrid means he has taken up

another of the seven designated

international loan spots allowed per club.

David Datro Fofana, Angelo Gabriel and

Gabriel Slonina have already gone out on

loan with more expected to follow to Strasbourg.

 

Arrizabalaga was understood to be a little

unimpressed by the enthusiastic greeting

afforded to new signing Robert Sanchez by

some Chelsea staff but Madrid provided a

timely exit. The keeper, who will be

unveiled by Madrid on Tuesday, also had an

offer from Bayern Munich.

 

Chelsea will step up their pursuit of in-

demand Crystal Palace star forward Michael Olise

Chelsea will step up their pursuit of in-

demand Crystal Palace star forward Michael Olise

Kasper Schmeichel has been discussed as a

potential goalkeeper recruit at Stamford Bridge

Kasper Schmeichel has been discussed as a

potential goalkeeper recruit at Stamford Bridge

Blues considering shock Schmeichel move

Kasper Schmeichel has been discussed a

potential keeper for Chelsea. The Dane has

vast Premier League experience hence

previous approaches from Brentford and

Nottingham Forest for the 36-year-old.

 

Brentford may offload Thomas Strakosha

this window so are in the market for

another shot-stopper especially after

loaning David Raya to Arsenal. Schmeichel

is willing to leave Nice but wants a top

project and Chelsea will obviously appeal.

 

Humphreys attracting interest

To get Transfer Confidential sent directly as

a newsletter to your inbox every Monday go

to mailplus.co.uk/transferconfidential

To get Transfer Confidential sent directly as

a newsletter to your inbox every Monday go

to mailplus.co.uk/transferconfidential

Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys has

made a big impression during the summer

and has attracted enquiries from a number

of clubs including Stoke City and Swansea

who are pushing to sign him this week.

However, there is also competition from

abroad with Stuttgart making a late play for

the 20-year-old.

 

Lewis Hall has a six-year contract on the

table and an offer to join Crystal Palace on

loan but there are other Premier League

sides exploring a potential deal for the

highly-rated 18-year-old who can play at

left-back or in midfield.

Bashir Humphreys is of interest to Stoke

City, Swansea and Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart

Bashir Humphreys is of interest to Stoke

City, Swansea and Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart

Brighton chasing Lille starlet Baleba

Brighton are in discussions over a move for

Lille’s highly-rated young midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The 19-year-old from Douala, in Cameroon

is a strong, left-footed, all rounder who can

break up the play and drive forward with the ball.

As one Premier League scout observed:

‘There is very little missing in his game. He

has speed, technical ability, aggression and

intelligence. He will develop more physically

too as he’s only 19.’

 

 

With those kind of reviews it’s easy to see

why AC Milan, Juventus, Monaco, Liverpool

and Newcastle United have all been on

Baleba’s trail.

Brighton are building a global reputation

though as being a springboard to success

especially in light of Moises Caicedo’s record

breaking transfer to Chelsea.

Brighton are offering around a £15m fee to

Lille plus add-ons.

Brighton retain interest in Cole Palmer and

James McAtee at Manchester City while they

have left an offer on the table for Ajax

forward Mohammed Kudus.

Striker Evan Ferguson is also attracting

more Premier League interest but it would

take some persuading for Brighton to part

with another young star at this stage.

 

Maguire move to West Ham stalls

Harry Maguire’s move to West Ham as

Manchester United has stagnated as United

look to bring in a replacement first.

United staff had a meeting on Saturday to

discuss the Financial Fair Play restrictions

around their transfer business. United were

fined £257,000 for a minor breach in July

and have been mindful of what they can

push their limits to this window as they

remain under scrutiny.

 

Ultimately, they need to sell to buy though

that hasn’t prevented them from teeing up

Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich – should

the Germans agree to sell. Jean-Clair Todibo

of Nice remains another option.

Talks over a new goalkeeper, following

injury to Tom Heaton, have also been back

and forth. Teenage keeper Elyh Harrison,

who they bought from Stevenage, could be

part of the squad against Wolves on Monday night.

Though Fred has joined Fenerbahce for

£12.9m, Eric Bailly’s departure to Besiktas is

described as 50/50 while Donny van de Beek

remains in talks with Real Sociedad.

There is interest in left-back Alvaro

Fernandez who impressed on loan at

Preston North End last season while keeper

Matej Kovar is expected to finalise his £7m

move to Bayer Leverkusen.

 

Harry Maguire’s move to West Ham is

stagnating as United line up a replacement

at the back

Harry Maguire’s move to West Ham is

stagnating as United line up a replacement

at the back

Eric Bailly’s move to Besiktas is thought to

be a ’50/50′ situation as the club eye departures

Eric Bailly’s move to Besiktas is thought to

be a ’50/50′ situation as the club eye

departures

Al-Hilal want Mitrovic as well as Neymar

Al-Hilal are signing Neymar from Paris

Saint-Germain and have rekindled interest

in Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic. However,

Confidential understands they had also

prepared a huge offer for Harry Kane. The

England captain had made his promise to

Bayern Munich but that didn’t stop

ambitious Al Hilal making an approach.

They are now hoping to persuade Fulham to

sell Mitrovic after earlier bids in the

window were rebuffed.

 

Kane’s former team-mate Tottenham striker

Son Heung Min has also had interest from

Saudi clubs in recent weeks but the club

making him captain should cement his

commitment.

Al-Hilal are still looking to persuade Fulham

to sell star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (right)

Al-Hilal are still looking to persuade Fulham

to sell star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (right)

The Saudi Pro League outfit are signing

Brazilian talisman Neymar from Paris Saint-

Germain

The Saudi Pro League outfit are signing

Brazilian talisman Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain

Hammers lining up Paqueta replacements

Lovro Majer has emerged as a name under

discussion at West Ham to possibly replace

Lucas Paqueta. Manchester City will make

an improved bid for Paqueta who is eager to

make the move as acknowledged by

manager David Moyes.

 

City are also looking to bring in Rennes

winger Jeremy Doku and expect a new

approach from Barcelona for full-back Joao Cancelo.

Rennes midfielder Majer, a Croatia

International, has an offer from Wolfsburg

also. Moyes would prefer Premier League

experience but a number of options are

being discussed. Conor Gallagher remains in

their thinking but the Chelsea midfielderwas

not convinced by West Ham’s stability when

the club’s first approach was made to him last month.

England U19 international defender Jamal

Baptiste, who left West Ham this summer,

has been training at Manchester City.

 

Meanwhile, City have pinpointed Thomas

Krucken, the academy director at Stuttgart,

as a leading contender to replace Jason

Wilcox as academy director.

West Ham are lining up replacements for

Lucas Paqueta should the Brazilian move to Man City

West Ham are lining up replacements for

Lucas Paqueta should the Brazilian move to Man City

Saints could lose Tella but are targeting Holgate

Southampton have escalating offers on the

table from Liverpool and Chelsea for Romeo

Lavia who they value at over £50m – but

they could lose winger Nathan Tella too

amid interest from Bayer Leverkusen.

Saints have already rejected bids from

Burnley for Tella but Leverkusen want a

winger to replace Moussa Diaby who left for Aston Villa.

 

Southampton are also persisting in their bid

to sign Mason Holgate from Everton but

they have failed to find a deal to suit the

Goodison club and face competition from

another Premier League side. They will sign

West Ham midfielder Flynn Downes on loan

on Monday after selling James Ward-Prowse to West Ham.

Mason Holgate is being targeted by

Southampton over a loan deal but the Saints

have failed to find a suitable agreement

Mason Holgate is being targeted by

Southampton over a loan deal but the Saints

have failed to find a suitable agreement

Toffees eyeing second Leeds raid

Everton, meanwhile, remain determined to

sign Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds United

despite agreeing a loan for Leeds’ Jack

Harrison on Monday.

Everton have had a number of offers over

£15m rejected for Gnonto who is refusing to

play for Leeds and is facing disciplinary

action as he pushes to leave.

Everton are determined to signed Leeds’

Wilfried Gnonto having sealed a loan for Jack Harrison

Everton are determined to signed Leeds’

Wilfried Gnonto having sealed a loan for Jack Harrison

Two Arsenal stars could be on the move

Monaco are expected to return with an

improved offer for £50m rated Arsenal

striker Folarin Balogun after their first bid was rejected.

Real Sociedad are continuing talks over a

deal for left-back Kieran Tierney too.

Monaco are expected to return for Folarin

Balogun after a first approach was rejected by Arsenal

Monaco are expected to return for Folarin

Balogun after a first approach was rejected by Arsenal

Former Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-

Chamberlain has joined Besiktas on three year deal.

Paris Saint-Germain’s 19-year-old France

U20 winger Djeidi Gassama is in talks over a

move to Sheffield Wednesday.

Burnley midfielder Scott Twine is in talks to

join Hull City.

To get Transfer Confidential sent directly as

a newsletter to your inbox every Monday go

to mailplus.co.uk/transferconfidential

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new

podcast from Mail Sport that promises a

different take on Premier League football,

launching with a preview show today and

every week this season.