Liverpool cool Roberto De Zerbi interest and face competition from Barcelona for Ruben Amorim – Paper Round
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Updated 03/04/2024 at 07:41 GMT
Wednesday’s Paper Round leads on Liverpool, who have cooled their interest in Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi as they look to replace Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool also face competition for Sporting boss Ruben Amorim from Barcelona. Elsewhere, Manchester United have additional targets at centre-back, while their current players were recently grilled by Ineos’ director of sport.
Brighton's Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi applauds fans after the UEFA Europa League Group B football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Marseille at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on December 14, 2023. B
Image credit: Eurosport
Liverpool cool De Zerbi interest
Roberto De Zerbi is not a leading candidate to become the next Liverpool manager, the Telegraph reports. The Premier League leaders are looking for a successor to Jurgen Klopp, and their search was impacted by the news Xabi Alonso will remain Bayer Leverkusen boss next season.
That led to reports Liverpool were eyeing either Sporting’s Rubem Amorim or Brighton’s De Zerbi, but that may no longer be the case.
The Telegraph writes: “The hunt to find Jurgen Klopp’s successor remains fluid, and De Zerbi has certainly not been completely ruled out, but the Brighton & Hove Albion head coach is not the focus of Liverpool’s search at present.
“Last Friday Xabi Alonso, who had long been a front-runner for Liverpool, confirmed Telegraph Sport’s report that he is not available this summer and will remain at Bayer Leverkusen in a move that also disappointed Bayern Munich.
“The confirmation came as no surprise to Liverpool, who had been carrying out their due diligence, and they are pressing ahead in considering alternative candidates. One of those was De Zerbi, who also figures prominently on Bayern’s list to replace Thomas Tuchel, and another is Sporting’s Ruben Amorim.”
Barca to rival Liverpool for Amorim
Liverpool have competition in the form of Barcelona for Amorim, the Independent reports. After Alonso pledged his future to Leverkusen, both Bayern Munich and Liverpool have taken their searches elsewhere.
That has seen Amorim emerge as a leading contender to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but with Xavi leaving Barcelona at the end of the season – the Sporting boss is a wanted man.
The Independent writes: “Alonso had been the outstanding choice for a number of clubs, and one reason Barcelona were more preoccupied with procuring Amorim was that they felt he was more attainable with so much focus on the Bayer Leverkusen manager.
“Yet, Sporting’s high release clause, understood to be around €13m (£11.1m), was one of a few reasons nothing had yet been confirmed.
“That has now drastically changed, with clubs that had been prioritising Alonso now looking at Amorim. Although the Portuguese played down interest in him in the last week, he has become the top target for a number of European clubs.”
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‘My job is not over here’ – Liverpool and Bayern target Alonso confirms he is staying at Leverkusen
Brailsford’s talks with Man Utd players
Manchester United players were grilled in one-on-one meetings with Sir Dave Brailsford this week, the Telegraph reports. Brailsford is tasked with rejuvenating United as Ineos’ director of sport.
He met the majority of United’s first-team squad recently, where he spoke of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos master plan and asked players for their own thoughts – although not regarding head coach Erik ten Hag’s own future.
The Telegraph writes: “With Omar Berrada joining as chief executive and approaches made for Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox to take on sporting director and technical director roles, players have been briefed on a range of topics and issues.
“The one-on-one talks, which have also taken place with staff members, are not linked to the future of manager Erik ten Hag and are said to have impressed players and left them feeling optimistic over the future with Ineos now in charge of football operations.
“Brailsford has become a key figure at United in his position as director of Ineos Sport and is said to be among the first to arrive and the last to leave the club on a daily basis since Ratcliffe’s investment for a 27.7 per cent share.
“Players have been personally briefed on short-term and long-term plans for the club and how Ineos intends to restore a culture of winning and excellence at Old Trafford. Those who have held talks with Brailsford have been given the opportunity to add their own thoughts and ideas, and ask questions.”
Man Utd’s defender search
Manchester United are exploring alternatives to Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, the Daily Mail reports. United are making transfer plans for the summer despite the fact they are yet to finalise some senior roles at board level – most recently angering Southampton on Monday in their pursuit of technical director Jason Wilcox.
Nevertheless, Wilcox is expected to join, so too Dan Ashworth as director of football, while those currently at the club have scouted a couple of options beyond Branthwaite to ensure they are well prepared for the 2024-25 season.
The Mail adds: “They have also asked about figures for Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino, 18, and are looking at Mikayil Faye, a 19-year-old Senegal defender who plays for Barcelona B.
“United are also expected to be in the market for centre-forward, central midfielder and right-back this summer. The budget will once again be limited by FFP restrictions but they hope to raise up to £100m from player sales.”
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