Liverpool to battle Manchester United for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi – Paper Round

Liverpool will face competition from Manchester United for Crystal Palace’s central defender Marc Guehi.

The Telegraph claims that United’s prospective sporting director Dan Ashworth is a long-time fan of the player.

“But Liverpool could face a fight with fierce rivals Manchester United over Guehi should the club’s proposed sporting director Dan Ashworth revive his interest in the England international.

“Liverpool, like United, will appoint a new sporting director and need to replace head coach Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, but the Anfield club have already placed Guehi on a list of proposed summer targets.

“It will now be up to the new appointments whether or not Liverpool follow through with the interest in Guehi, while the possibility of United entering the bidding may rest on whether or not Ashworth can be appointed in time for the summer window.

“Ashworth was interested in signing Guehi for Newcastle and is known to be a fan of the player.”

The Daily Mail reports that Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe will take a significant pay cut when he leaves the club this summer.

Mbappe will earn €15 million net (£12.8m) at Real Madrid, down from 25m euros net (£21.4m) at PSG.

“The 25-year-old, who earns 25m euros net (£21.4m) in Paris, will clear 15m euros net (£12.8m) a season at Madrid, still making him the club’s top earner despite the huge salary cut.

“Mbappe has agreed terms with the Spanish club although neither Paris Saint-Germain nor Madrid will make any formal statement while both could still meet in the Champions League.

“Despite losing out in terms of basic wage Mbappe will be paid a sizeable signing-on fee understood to be over 100m euros (£85.6m) and will keep an 80 per cent share of image rights on any new commercial deals he signs after becoming a Madrid player. This breaks from the normal 50-50 split the club usually imposes on new players.”

The Mirror reports on Liverpool’s attempts to rebuild as Jurgen Klopp closes in on his exit.

The club also needs a sporting director and Inter Milan’s former director Federic Massara is one option, as is Nice’s Florent Ghisolfi.

“The Reds are looking for a new backroom chief after placeholder Jorg Schmadtke departed Anfield at the end of the January transfer window. Schmadtke arrived after Julian Ward, who took over from Michael Edwards, left last summer.

“The first is Federic Massara, who was most recently director of football at AC Milan. He helped to build the team that won the Serie A title in 2022 and was named Sporting Director of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards the same year.

“Massara is currently on gardening leave after leaving Milan last summer, so would be able to start immediately. His job situation is attractive to Liverpool, while Milan are owned by RedBird Capital, who have a stake in FSG.

“The second name on the list is Florent Ghisolfi, who is currently sporting director at Nice. He has experience of dealing with managerial appointments, though his current club are likely to block a move.”

Fulham could be preparing to let Joao Palhinha leave in the summer.

The player signed a new contract recently, but vice-chairman Tony Khan might let him leave for the right offer, he said.

“The Portugal international was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich last summer but has since signed a new contract keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028, with the option of an extra 12 months.

“However, the 28-year-old has remained the source of transfer speculation and has attracted the interest of rival Premier League clubs.

“The defensive midfielder led the Premier League in tackles last campaign and is on course to repeat that feat this season, and Khan is well aware top clubs are increasingly attuned to the 28-year-old’s talent.”