‘Agreement close’ for £33m Liverpool and Chelsea target with deal that has direct Man Utd impact

Manchester United are preparing for a Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday evening as they look to build on their 2-1 win over Rangers in the Europa League. United are fourth in the Europa League standings and are on course to secure a top-eight spot that will see them clinch automatic passage into the last 16 of the competition.

This weekend attention turns back to domestic matters as United head to Craven Cottage on Sunday. The Red Devils beat Fulham 1-0 on the opening day of the season with Joshua Zirkzee netting late on at Old Trafford.

Ahead of the game, the transfer headlines continue to dominate at Old Trafford with Antony heading to Real Betis while a deal is being pursued for Patrick Dorgu - although United have seen a second bid rejected for the left-back as Lecce hold firm in their £33m valuation. The futures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho also remain uncertain.

Garnacho Napoli move takes a twist

Serie A side Napoli have been looking to complete a deal for Garnacho but now look to have gone elsewhere in their pursuit of a winger. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has joined Paris Saint-Germain, leaving Napoli in need of a replacement. Garnacho was viewed as an ideal to signing to fill the void but United have set an asking price of around £60m which the Italian club have been unwilling to match.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Karim Adeyemi is close to joining Napoli from Borussia Dortmund in a move that signals the end of the Italian outfit’s pursuit of Garnacho. The 23-year-old joined Dortmund from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in 2022. He is under contract with the Bundesliga side until the summer of 2027. Romano said on X: “Napoli and Borussia Dortmund are now close to reaching full agreement for Karim Adeyemi. The package will be less than reported €50m, as talks are now advanced for fee around €40m. Napoli and BVB will focus on tomorrow’s games, talks will continue from Sunday.”

Adeyemi a target for Chelsea and Liverpool

Reports earlier in the window, via London World, claimed Chelsea were in talks to sign Adeyemi. Liverpool are also said to be interested in signing the 22-year-old as they identify a list of potential replacements for Mohamed Salah, whose contract expires at Anfield in June. Adeyemi has been on the Reds’ radar for a number of years with Sky Germany reporting earlier this season that the interest was still there from the Merseyside club.

There has not yet been any indication that the Reds will extend Salah’s contract, despite the fact that he is on course to win the Premier League Golden Boot this season. He has scored 18 goals in 20 games, also contributing 13 assists. A recent report by Sky Sports has linked Salah over a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who want to sign him to become somewhat of a poster boy for the club, replacing Neymar, who has struggled since moving to Saudi Arabia.