Transfer rumors, news: Liverpool eye swoop for Semenyo, Kerkez

Real Madrid will need to make a decision between Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo this summer, while Liverpool are looking to land Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez or forward Antoine Semenyo. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.

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TOP STORIES

- Juventus sack Motta, hire Tudor after heavy losses
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TRENDING RUMORS

- Liverpool are looking to land Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez or forward Antoine Semenyo, says The Sun, and are keen to bring down the price of the overall deal by sending them a player in return. That player is 19-year-old Scotland winger Ben Doak, who was the subject of bids of around £16m from Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace in January. Liverpool rejected both as they wanted closer to £30m and will looking to land Kerkez or Semenyo for a cut-price fee as a result.

- With questions being asked about whether Real Madrid's big-name players can all operate together, Diario Sport has suggested that Los Blancos could be forced to let Rodrygo or Vinícius Júnior leave in the summer. There are reportedly a number of Premier League clubs keen to make Rodrygo their standout player, a status he hasn't quite achieved in Madrid, while Vinícius wants a contract in line with Kylian Mbappé's amid continued interest from the Saudi Pro League.

- Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 33, has held talks with MLS side San Diego, according to The Sun. The Belgium international is set to become a free agent when his contract expires this summer and is keen to continue his career in MLS.

- Juventus want interim head coach Igor Tudor to showcase Dusan Vlahovic to help them offload the striker in the summer, reports Calciomercato, with Manchester United and Arsenal among those interested in the 25-year-old. After a managerial change, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli's position has also weakened, but he will look to make Randal Kolo Muani's loan from Paris Saint-Germain permanent and sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli if he stays. Gazzetta dello Sport also says that the Bianconeri are keen on Osimhen, who continues to impress on loan Galatasaray.

- Real Madrid and Barcelona are both interested in AFC Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, says Diario Sport, although the Spanish outlet adds that the 19-year-old isn't a priority for the Blaugrana. This comes after Huijsen came through testing circumstances to help Spain beat Netherlands on penalties in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, having turned down the Dutch to represent La Roja.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN's Madrid correspondent Alex Kirkland looks at the futures of Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior.

Reports about Real Madrid in the Catalan press should always be taken with a pinch of salt. The Barcelona-based newspapers might be reporting in good faith; but equally, they might just be looking to cause trouble. But that's not to say there aren't genuine questions about the make-up of Madrid's frontline going forward, and whether the 'fantastic four' of Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo all have a place in it.

Going into this season, Rodrygo was the one whose spot was most under threat. But he's responded, keeping his place in coach Carlo Ancelotti's preferred XI for most of Madrid's big games, including both legs against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. His numbers are comparable to previous seasons -- six goals in 25 LaLiga appearances so far, and matching his career-best five Champions League goals in 10 games -- but in his all-round game, and being decisive, he's arguably taken a step up in 2024-25.

As for Vinicius, speculation over a potential move to Saudi Arabia this summer has been based in fact, as ESPN has reported consistently, but the Ballon d'Or runner-up is now closer to staying, and signing an improved contract, than he is to going.

Madrid don't "need" to move on Rodrygo or Vinicius. Indeed, they would likely only leave the Bernabéu at their own request: Vinicius, if the Saudis were able to reach an agreement over a transfer fee with Florentino Pérez; Rodrygo, if he insisted on a departure to further his own career ambitions.

What is true is that there has been a shift in the hierarchy of the Madrid attack. Mbappé is now the main man, an increasingly vocal and visible leader in the team; Bellingham isn't far behind. The futures of Vinicius and Rodrygo will depend on whether they're willing to fit into that structure, knowing that it's the price you pay for being at the biggest club in the world, or if they'd prefer to be the undisputed star elsewhere.

OTHER RUMORS

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Gab Marcotti: Igor Tudor 'vey much an interim appointment' for Juventus

Gab Marcotti weighs in on Juventus sacking Thiago Motta and hiring Igor Tudor.

- Real Madrid have been offered the chance to sign Man City and Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji. (Marca)

- Madrid are also keeping a close eye on Lazio centre-back Mario Gila after he left the club to move to Italy in 2022. (Relevo)

- Liverpool will have to spend over £60m to sign Internazionale centre-back Alessandro Bastoni and consider the Italy international as Virgil van Dijk's long-term successor, although Inter are reluctant to see him depart. (Football Insider)

- Manchester United are frontrunners in the race to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres despite facing competition from Arsenal and Liverpool. This comes despite the Red Devils being unlikely to offer European football next term, as the 26-year-old has a close relationship with head coach Ruben Amorim following their time together at Sporting. (Football Insider)

- Chelsea will be lumbered with a £5m fee if they opt against turning Man United's forward Jadon Sancho's loan into a permanent deal for £25m in the summer. (Athletic)

- Atlético Madrid have enquired about Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur. Los Colchoneros have reportedly made contact with the Uruguay international's camp to test the waters ahead of the transfer window opening in July, but their interest in the 27-year-old is still in its early stages and there have not yet been any real negotiations about a possible transfer. (Relevo)

- Southampton's 19-year-old midfielder Tyler Dibling is on the radar of Tottenham. (GMS)

- Crystal Palace full-back Caleb Kporha, 18, is set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season. (Football Insider)