Transfer notebook: Liverpool get Virgil van Dijk contract boost, Newcastle prepare for Bruno Guimaraes bid, Chelsea team unified by Raheem Sterling boos
Liverpool are hoping that the return of Michael Edwards will help convince Virgil van Dijk to commit his future to the club.
Van Dijk dropped a strong track who was delaying signing a new contract immediately after Jurgen Klopp's explosive announcement that he was resigning as manager.
Getting the Dutchman, whose current contract expires in the summer of 2026, tied down is one of Edwards' goals and Richard Hughes, new sporting director'First important assignments.
Edwards, who has been tasked by owners FSG with overseeing the post-Klopp era as chief football officer, played a key role in the signing of Van Dijk from Southampton during his first spell on Merseyside and the pair are said to have a solid relationship.
Hughes, meanwhile, has been given Bournemouth's blessing to lead Liverpool's search for Klopp's successor as he awaits his sacking until the end of the season, with Xabi Alonso is still the big favorite.
It is a sign of the mutual respect that Hughes and Bournemouth have for each other that the former Scotland midfielder has not been placed on gardening leave after handing in his dismissal at the end of last year.
bru-ing treatment
Newcastle are preparing for Real Madrid to increase their interest in midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
talkSPORT understands the Spanish giants had scouts in Newcastle's 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City on Saturday – and not just to keep an eye on their upcoming European opponents.
Since this notebook has previously reportedThe Magpies are facing the need to sell one of their star players to stay on the right side of the Premier League's spending rules.
Brazil international Guimaraes has a £100million release clause in his contract at his own insistence and is believed to have a burning desire to play in the Champions League.
Newcastle paid £35m to sign Guimaraes from Lyon in January 2022, so any offer close to the 26-year-old's release clause will represent a significant gain on the bottom line.
4
not feel sad
It wasn't part of the plan, but Chelsea fans' booing of Raheem Sterling has had a unifying effect on the rest of the Blues team.
Sterling's teammates were quick to support the English winger after he was booed for missing a penalty and launching a free kick into the stands during Sunday's upset FA Cup victory at home to Leicester.
Despite their inconsistent form, talkSPORT has been told the players and staff at the club's Cobham training ground have never been closer together with a source claiming: “They are all supportive of each other.”
For his part, Sterling remains committed to Chelsea despite interest from Saudi Arabia and the MLS.
The 29-year-old still has most of three years left on his lucrative contract at Stamford Bridge.
4
want more
Tottenham and West Ham are among the clubs keeping an eye on Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest will be forced to sell players this summer to avoid receiving further sanctions for breaking the rules of profitability and sustainability.
England under-21 international Gibbs-White is arguably their most valuable asset, having cost £35m and risen to a potential £42m with add-ons.
Gibbs-White is just the type of player Ange Postecoglu loves and Spurs have a good relationship with Forest after buying his former teammate Brennan Johnson last summer.
West Ham are also compiling a list of potential replacements for Manchester City target Lucas Paquetá.
4
