Several Premier League teams continue to be linked despite the transfer window not opening until the summer.
Liverpool face competition from one of Europe's heavyweights in their bid to find a new defender, while top-flight rivals Manchester City are preparing to break transfer records once again. Meanwhile, two teams outside the ‘Big Six' appear to be going head-to-head in a battle to sign a new striker.
Here are your biggest headlines of the day:
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Man City eye record-breaking Tino Livramento bid
Man City are reportedly mulling over a bid for Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento in what would be a record fee.
The 23-year-old has been at St James' Park since 2023 and remains under contract until the summer of 2028, and while the Magpies would like to extend that, interest from Pep Guardiola could be too difficult to ignore.
It's thought that a bid in the region of £70 million could see Newcastle tempted to sell, usurping the current record fee for a full-back, which saw Achraf Hakimi join Paris Saint-Germain for around £60 million in 2021.
That figure would also surpass the most City has spent on the position, with Joao Cancelo costing £55 million back in 2019.
Sunderland and West Ham battle over Santiago Gimenez
Meanwhile, according to reports in Spain, both Sunderland and West Ham are interested in AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Mexico forward has struggled for game time at the San Siro in recent months, making him one of multiple players that the Serie A giants could look to sell on at the end of the current campaign.
Currently, the Rossoneri are looking at an asking price of around £20 million but are hoping that a solid performance at the 2026 World Cup could see that rise.
It also appears that the Premier League duo are the most likely teams to battle for his signature, and perhaps the Black Cats are in the driving seat given the Hammers' relegation battle.
Liverpool interested in signing Nico Schlotterbeck
Finally, over in Merseyside, Liverpool are said to hold a serious interest in Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck.
However, they face stiff competition from LaLiga giants Real Madrid, who have made the Germany international one of their top summer targets, per reports in Spain.
While under contract at Signal Iduna Park until 2027, the 26-year-old defender is yet to accept an extension, meaning he is currently more likely to leave than stay.
The Reds are potentially looking to replace Ibrahima Konate, who also appears set on leaving Anfield.
Schlotterback is expected to cost in excess of £45 million.
