30 Apr 2024 11:26:10
Hi Ed2,
Is there any chance you could do a round up of centre backs which we have shown interest in/ scouted recently, who could be potential signings for the summer?
I think you did a RW one recently, but on searching I couldn't find one for defenders.
{Ed002's Note - Something like this:
Tosin Adarabioyo (CB) Spurs interest may remain as they struggle to sign their preferred options and are still light at CB - although they may not guarantee a starting role. Free Agent in the summer and expect MIlan and Monaco to make an approach for discussions before then. Milan fear the departure of Fikayo Tomori with Monaco being light at CB and running the chance that Guillermo Maripan will move on. West Ham will also consider making the player an offer. Wildcard may be Liverpool or Manchester United. Fulham will look to a new contract which may win out - or just perhaps a move to Spurs.
Dean Huijsen (CB) On loan at Roma who will try to sign him. Being scouted by RBL, Liverpool, Newcastle, Frosinone and Borussia Dortmund. Will talk with Juventus and consider his options – perhaps Borussia Dortmund will be attractive.
Goncalo Inacio (CB) Watched by scouts from a number of PL sides, including Liverpool and Manchester United, with the latter declaring an interest. Sporting will not be keen to do business with Liverpool although the club could potentially pay his full Release Clause and force the situation if the player is interested. The other sides to declare an interest are Newcastle and PSG, but PSG have a plan over another player. Real Madrid offer a wildcard option. Sporting would rather not sell and are looking to a new contract and an increased release clause. Newcastle have begun talks with Sporting in order to be able to speak directly to the player and to understand if there is flexibility in the payment schedule – it seems most unlikely that will be successful. Arsenal interest would have departed with the signing of Timber. The player has also been offered to Chelsea by his agent when discussing another player, but they have preferred options for a long-term Silva replacement. The player is open to a move to Manchester United.
Piero Hincapie (CB) Interest of Nottingham Forest will go nowhere. Scouted and rejected by Spurs as not being ready for the Premier League, but he may well be now and they could well look again. Open to a move to Liverpool as they look for cover but his expectation is to be a starter and their interest is not as advanced as supporters think with no agreement reached for January. Milan and Roma have both sent scouts. If they sell in January there will be a significantly high expectation in terms of a fee. The club will look to hang on to the core of Tapsoba, Hincapie and Tah but I would not rule out a summer move.
Murillo (CB) The sharks are circling as Nottingham Forest look to shore the club up against further FFP charges and move players on. Liverpool and Chelsea have sent scouts but I understand both consider him physically short to meet their desires. Barcelona have also sent scouts as they see him as versatile enough to fit in a three with their revamped defence. Real Madrid and Manchester United offer wildcard options.
Perr Schuurs (CB) Interest gone.
Jean-Clair Todibo (CB) Interest gone.
Antonio Silva (CB) Benfica say that "many scouts" have been to watch the player - perhaps they are looking for someone to pay his €100M buy out clause - a move at that price seems unlikely but Bayern Munich, PSG and Manchester United are keen and he is first choice for Manchester United next summer but both PSG and Real Madrid should not be discounted. Juventus and Napoli would want a reduction in the asking price to make any move viable. Looked at by Spurs and Manchester City. For Liverpool perhaps a Konate replacement but very unlikely. Discussed with Chelsea during a conversation about another player and perhaps number two on their lengthy list of options but there is a part exchange option. I think Manchester United could get something completed.
Ousmane Diomande (CB) Joined in January 2023 and covered by the Cotonou Agreement. Sporting see him as a long-term partner for Inacio and do not wish to sell - rejecting an offer from Arsenal in the summer. Arsenal could look again but have other targets as well. Newcastle, Manchester City, Liverpool (via a third party) and Chelsea have sent scouts to watch him and Chelsea have declared an interest in him. Sporting will insist that his Buy Out Clause is paid in full. Newcastle or Chelsea seem best placed.
Bafode Diakite (RB/CB)) Scouted by Liverpool. Very versatile.
Leny Yoro (CB) Lille kiddie who already has PSG, Chelsea and Real Madrid declaring an interest. Manchester City and Manchester United have sent scouts and Manchester City may be keen to do something. May have been noticed by Liverpool when scouting another player against Nantes, but no declared interest at this time - regardless of reports saying they will pay €90M for him. Lille will resist a sale unless someone pays significantly over the odds for him. Chelsea has a preferred option but Real Madrid may push. Lille will ask for a player on loan as part of any deal with Cesare Casadei and Arda Guler mentioned. The player is keen on Real Madrid if he will get game time - else another year at Lille. Maybe not rule out PSG or Chelsea.
Ko Itakura (CB) The ex-Manchester City player was on the Kim replacement list for Napoli, so is well thought of. Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Spurs have sent scouts - and his agent has very strong ties to Spurs. Al Nassr will offer a solution.
Lloyd Kelly (CB) Free Agent interesting Spurs, Milan, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham. Wildcard may be Fulham, Newcastle or even Liverpool. Home Grown.
Maxence Lacroix (CB) Wolfsburg and Rennes failed to complete the exchange of Lacroix and Majer due to a minor sticking point over about €5M difference in valuation, meaning Wolfsburg needed to pay €25M and they wish to continue to balance the books and need to trim their squad so may be open to the sale of Lacroix. Prior interest of Chelsea and Leicester has gone. Interest of Liverpool and PSG remains but he would only likely be cover for either club.
David Hancko (CB) Only joined Feyenoord in 2002 and a clear not for sale was the response when Newcastle asked after him in 2023. I am not aware of any formal approach from Liverpool to Feyenoord but they were represented by scouts at games against PSV and Celtic in December. Agent has been offering him around with contact made with Chelsea (who have no interest), Liverpool, Bayern Munich and PSG - and likely others. When Slot moves to Liverpool the he might look to Hancko - but Feyenoord will point to the contract signed in February. He would be a van Dijk replacement. Don't rule out Napoli looking to him.
Kevin Mantilla (CB) Brighton, AEK Athens and Liverpool had scouts watching the youngster before he moved to Talleres from Santa Fe in the summer of 2023. The English clubs know he would never be home grown and would be unable to gain a Work Permit in England. Brighton have continued to scout the player will possibly look to place him at sister club Union Saint-Gilloise. Liverpool may maintain an interest still but it is difficult to see anything coming of it anytime soon.
Willian Pacho (CB) Eintracht Frankfurt have told Real Madrid the left footed CB is not for sale but they will accept €60M plus. Liverpool and Arsenal have sent scouts with Arsenal making a far lower offer and having it rejected.}
30 Apr 2024 12:19:52
Excellent info as always. Many thanks.
Murillo or Hancko potentially are amongst the most achievable/ realistic LCBs I presume. Inacio would be the perfect VVD replacement but guess his price and our previous conduct makes that move unlikely.
30 Apr 2024 12:44:40
Hancko and Inacio for me, sell virg and Gomez too.
30 Apr 2024 16:26:47
Thanks eds2
Can I ask in your opinion who off that list who would be the best for us?
{Ed002's Note - Hancko will make a good van Dijk replacement.}
30 Apr 2024 17:18:21
Ed002 no guehi interest?
{Ed002's Note - Ex Chelsea Academy so perhaps. But I am not aware of any approach. There have been discussions with other sides.}
30 Apr 2024 19:45:25
Hancko and Inacio here too Magico, not they fussed about Guehi, he’s a bit short for a centre back.
30 Apr 2024 22:09:24
Ed002 - with regards to Hancko would this be someone who could play next to Virgil or be happy to bide his time until Virgil is no longer performing, or would him signing in the summer mean the likely departure of him?
{Ed002's Note - He would be an obvious replacement - he would not move to simply be cover.}
01 May 2024 18:12:40
Surprised interest in Todibo has gone he looks good. I’d love Diomande.
01 May 2024 21:46:51
I am just surprised out of favour Kim Min Jae is not on list.
01 May 2024 23:30:49
Brilliant info, much appreciated.
03 May 2024 20:55:23
Leek, Kim just moved to Bayern this season so he is going nowhere hence, not worth putting on any list a this time, IMO.