Pete O’Rourke column: Liverpool working on two top signings, Newcastle in £51.5m Inacio race, ‘mind-boggling’ Bernardo Silva latest
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NEWCASTLE
My understanding is that the Magpies are looking into a possible move for Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio.
The 21-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young defenders in the world and has impressed for Sporting and internationally with Portugal.
Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his side with Champions League football on the horizon and is keen to add strength in depth to his defence.
Inacio fits the profile Newcastle want with his huge potential – but Sporting will demand top money.
I’m told his release clause is around £51.5million – but the Tynesiders hope to land him for less than that figure despite their strong financial situation.
Liverpool are also interested, while Chelsea have been linked – but are unlikely to pursue a move if Levi Colwill signs a new long-term deal.
Newcastle are also interested in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
Palace’s asking price is likely to determine his future, however, with the Londoners set to ask for in excess of £60million.
Guehi has been outstanding since moving from Chelsea and is now an England international – meaning Palace are asking for top dollar.
I’m told there is lots of Premier League interest, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham also monitoring his situation.
Any new centre-back arrivals would mean a decision has to be taken on the future of Jamaal Lascelles, I’m told.
Sources say he will have to leave the club to get regular first-team football again as he is likely to get very few opportunities next season.
Nonetheless, he remains an important figure and is still the Magpies’ club captain – and therefore very popular in the dressing room.
Clubs are interested in his services and preparing offers to lure him away from St James’ Park.
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MAN CITY
The treble-winners are growing more and more pessimistic about the prospect of keeping Bernardo Silva at the club.
There is widespread interest in Saudi Arabia, and I’m told they are offering mind-boggling sums to persuade him to make the move.
Those figures are likely to be hard to turn down, and even Man City will not be able to compete despite their financial clout.
I’m told the Citizens now fear the worst and expect Silva to be tempted away for a new challenge elsewhere.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also long-term admirers of the 28-year-old – although they are also not able to get near the Saudi offer.
Silva has two years left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and City are likely to ask for £45-50million to sanction a sale.
With Gundogan already gone and replaced by Mateo Kovacic, Pep Guardiola’s side are likely to repeat the trick and dip into the market if Silva departs.
Kevin de Bruyne is also likely to miss the start of the new season with a hamstring tear, giving Guardiola an added headache.
Youngsters like Cole Palmer and James McAtee are prime candidates to come into the side in the place of Silva, but City are keen to dip into the market.
Palmer has a big season ahead and is very highly rated within the walls at Man City.
The 21-year-old has made lots of appearances but very few starts in his senior career so far.
Several clubs are lining up to sign him permanently and on loan – but I’m told City are not willing to let him go permanently.
Brighton have been linked with a temporary move, and I’m told a Premier League loan is seen as suiting all parties.
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LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp is keen to bolster his defensive options with a new centre-back.
Goncalo Inacio remains on the shortlist, while Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven is also a potential target.
Josko Gvardiol won’t be heading to Anfield despite long-term interest from the Reds as he closes in on a big-money Man City move.
As mentioned earlier, Marc Guehi is also on the radar – even if Palace’s lofty asking price will make a deal difficult to do.
I’m told there are no doubts about Liverpool adding another top centre-back after they wrapped up a move for Dominik Szoboszlai.
Klopp also wants one more high-level central midfielder to wrap up his summer business.
Sources say more outgoings are set to follow once those two arrivals have been finalised.