Liverpool identify Emre Can replacement, Robert Lewandowski on the market and Louis van Gaal to return

A run-down of today's transfer rumours

Sunday 25 February 2018 10:26 EST
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Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is yet to agree a new contract at Anfield
Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is yet to agree a new contract at Anfield (Getty)

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Liverpool's search for an Emre Can replacement has turned to the south coast and Bournemouth's Lewis Cook, according to reports.

German international Can, who started for the Reds in their 4-1 demolition of West Ham yesterday, looks set to leave Anfield for Juventus in the summer as his contract will expire at the end of the current campaign.

Without a new deal in place for the former Bayer Leverkusen player, Jurgen Klopp's side have been rumoured to be monitoring several targets, including Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama.

But according to the Sun, Liverpool have been keeping tabs on the progress of England Under 20 World Cup winning captain Lewis Cook, who earned his first senior call-up to Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad in November.

Cook, 21, joined Eddie Howe's side in July 2016 from Leeds United, but suffered a difficult maiden campaign due to a persistent ankle injury.

But this year he has been a regular in a Cherries side who are looking to pull away from the Premier League relegation scrap, and Liverpool are targetting a £20 million deal according to the report.

Van Gaal in line to replace to Conte

Shocks wouldn't come much bigger than this, but according to the Mirror, former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is in the frame to replace Antonio Conte on an interim basis at Stamford Bridge.

The Stamford Bridge hierarchy consider the Dutchman as a safe pair of hands to take the club through to the end of the season, should the former Juventus manager be removed in the near future.

There has been a lot of speculation in recent weeks surrounding the future of the Chelsea boss, who is thought to have a fractious relationship with the Chelsea board following disagreements over the club's transfer policy.

Van Gaal has been out of work since leaving United a day after lifting the FA Cup trophy, and according to the report, the 66-year-old is looking for another job on a short term basis.

After Jose Mourinho left the Bridge for Old Trafford, shortly followed by Nemanja Matic, there appears to be more that unites the two clubs than divides them. But don't mention that to the feuding Conte and Mourinho.

Mourinho chasing Lazio midfielder

Jose Mourinho has turned his attention towards domineering central midfielder Sergej Milinkovic Savic, according to the Mirror.

The 6ft 4in Serb midfielder has been an imperious presence at the heart of the Roman club's midfield and the Manchester United manager sees him as a perfect replacement for the outgoing duo of Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini.

Milinkovic Savic, 22, has made 32 competitive appearances this season, scoring an impressive 10 times. According to the report, he joins a shortlist of targets that includes Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri, and Napoli's Jorginho.

Lewandowski on the market thanks to new agent

Robert Lewandowski's employment of super-agent Pini Zahavi has led to speculation that the Polish captain could well be looking to leave Bayern Munich, according to reports.

The Bayern Munich forward ended his 10-year association with agent Cezary Kucharsk earlier this week to link up with Zahavi, whose clients include Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Rumours of a transfer have intensified due to the switch, with the The Sun reporting that Chelsea would lead Manchester United in pursuit of the forward, while in Poland, Przeglad Sportowy are reporting that the agent swap will accelerate a move to Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich are unlikely to want to play ball, but with a strike rate of 139 goals from 181 competitive appearances, there will be strong competition for his signature should he become available.

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