Barcelona prepare Leipzig raid while Liverpool turn to Keylor Navas to solve goalkeeping woes

David Cooper - Writer 12:48 02/11/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Hot property: Timo Werner.

    The transfer window is closed until January but that doesn’t keep the rumour mill form churning as clubs look to get a leg up on potential transfers.

    Here are three big stories dominating the headlines on Thursday.

    Will any of the following deals happen?

    Let us know your thoughts via Twitter and Facebook.

    TIMO WERNER

    RB Leipzig Timo Werner striker is quickly becoming one of the most-wanted men in Europe, with Barcelona reportedly joining the race for the 21-year-old according to various reports. Werner is one in a long list of transfer targets drawn up by Marca after being scouted by Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez at the weekend.

    He’s seen as a potential long-term successor to Luis Suarez, who’ll be 31 in January and has struggled in front of goal this season.

    RATING: 6/10

    VERDICT

    Werner is good. Is he Barcelona good? The jury’s still out on that, although there’s no doubt that the young German has quickly earned a reputation that has already seen him linked with Liverpool.

    Now the suggestion is he could learn from one of the world’s best in Suarez and play alongside Lionel Messi – what a step up that would be for the youngster.

    Liverpool seem the more likely destination for now but if he continues to impress, Barcelona may have no choice but to swoop in.

    Timo Werner could soon be playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

    Timo Werner could soon be playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona.

    DAYOT UPAMECANO

    Werner’s club team-mate Upamecano is also on Marca’s list of Barcelona targets, and he was the other player Fernandez was reportedly scouting during his weekend trip to Bavaria to see Leipzig play Bayern Munich.

    Earlier this week it was reported that Leipzig’s Upamecano could be the subject of a transfer tussle between Manchester United and AC Milan. Add Barcelona to that list, as the Catalan side look for a successor to Gerard Pique, who’s 31.

    Upamecano, on the other hand, is only 19, and thus could form part of an all-French centre-back duo with Samuel Umtiti for many years to come at Barcelona.

    RATING: 7/10

    VERDICT

    Upamecano is emblematic of Barcelona’s reported new transfer strategy, which is to identify young players early in their career when they’re available at a more reasonable price, rather than splashing the cash.

    The young Frenchman has yet to make his international debut and has been at Leipzig for less than a year, but he’s not looked out of place in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side despite his lack of experience.

    He’s undoubtedly in for another step up in class, looking at the list of clubs linked with him, and Barcelona’s interest has made the race even more intriguing.

    Dayot Upamecano: wanted by Man United, AC Milan, and now Barcelona.

    Upamecano is wanted by Man United, AC Milan, and now Barcelona.

    KEYLOR NAVAS

    Diario Gol are reporting that Liverpool have made the first steps in a bid to land Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, with Klopp reportedly having contacted the Costa Rican.

    Navas’ form in goal helped Madrid achieve a league and European double last season and he’s been missed recently through injury. But he’s never really been regarded as the long-term option at the club, and Liverpool could capitalise on that.

    VERDICT

    It’s no secret that despite excelling for Madrid, Navas still isn’t considered the club’s long-term No. 1. A few high-profile errors haven’t helped, club president Florentino Perez has never been convinced, and Los Blancos have been public in their desire for an alternative – especially in the case of Manchester United’s David de Gea.

    While Los Blancos haven’t been able to land the Spaniard, there were rumours of a move for AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer, showing that despite Navas enjoying his best campaign for the club last season he’s still considered expendable. Recently, there have been suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo wants the keeper to be sold, although it’s hard to say how much truth there is in that.

    A move to Liverpool makes sense for both parties as the Reds are desperately in need of a solid man between the sticks. Navas could do with the confidence boost of not constantly being doubted and questioned, although whether he’d enjoy playing behind the Liverpool back line is a different story.

    Keylor Navas is still underappreciated at Real Madrid, and could look to move.

    Keylor Navas is still underappreciated at Real Madrid, and could look to move.

    Recommended