Liverpool are keeping very close tabs on an exciting new central player, but a reliable journalist has revealed that they aren't the only club who are hoping to bring him to the Premier League.

Who are the youngest Liverpool players?

At Anfield, Jurgen Klopp has five squad members to have competed at first-team level who are all aged 20 or under, with the youngest being Ben Doak (17), followed by Stefan Bajcetic (18) and finally the trio of Harvey Elliot, Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley at 20.

The Merseyside outfit tend to suffer a lot of misfortune when it comes to regular features picking up injuries, the latest being Andy Robertson, who has sustained a suspected shoulder problem whilst away on international duty with Scotland, but the boss has always been happy to give the up-and-coming talents an opportunity if they deserve it.

FSG appear to be working on recruiting even more stars in the making for the long-term future of the club, and have identified Schalke’s central midfielder Assan Ouedraogo as a potential candidate, with the 17-year-old having made nine senior appearances in the Bundesliga (Transfermarkt – Ouedraogo statistics).

Despite Germany’s youth international having four years remaining on his deal (Schalke contracts), Chelsea have already been credited with an interest in the teenager, but they won’t be the only club in the race for his signature if the following update is to be believed.

Assan Ouedraogo transfer update

Taking to X, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg shared a transfer update on Assan Ouedraogo and name-checked Liverpool as the most interested potential suitor for the promising midfield prospect at Schalke.

He wrote: "Liverpool and especially Jurgen Klopp is monitoring the development of Assan Ouedraogo! The 17 y/o versatile midfielder from @s04 has a release clause in 2024. Clubs from abroad have to pay around €20m [£17m]. Next to #LFC more clubs from [England] are interested: Everton & Brighton!"

How good is Assan Ouedraogo?

According to football scout Jacek Kulig, Ouedraogo is a “talented” player and one that has a bright future ahead of him, and having already shown the standard of performance he’s capable of playing at, it would be a massive coup if he was to join Liverpool.

The Mulheim native has racked up a remarkable 31 contributions (17 goals and 14 assists) in 45 appearances since the start of his career, and even if the ball doesn’t always hit the back of the net, he is constantly able to pose a threat to an opposition’s defence.

Ouedraogo currently ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons so he loves to use his athletic pace to dribble past his marker and create chances for himself and his fellow teammates in the final third (FBRef – Ouedraogo statistics), and his obvious high ceiliing makes this a no-brainer of a deal to pursue should the perfect opportunity present itself.

Stepping up their push to seal his signature, Bayern Munich have now reportedly submitted their opening offer to sign a Liverpool star who is now keen on an Anfield exit.

Latest Liverpool exit news

Having already spent big to welcome Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong as well as picking up Freddie Woodman on a free deal, it could now be time for Liverpool to balance the books with a number of exits.

Already, both Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher have sealed departures to Bayer Leverkusen and Brentford respectively, but the exit news may not be done there. After forming a squad now filled to the brim with talent, Liverpool could also sanction exits for the likes of Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott this summer.

For Nunez, all signs point towards a move to Napoli if he is to leave Liverpool ahead of next season. The Serie A champions reportedly see the South American as their dream Victor Osimhen replacement and talks are ongoing over a deal between the two clubs.

Elliott, meanwhile, is another player who could leave. The young, versatile midfielder enjoyed an excellent tournament with England at the U21 Euros – winning the Player of the Tournament – and has now reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers as a result.

Salah's dream CF: Liverpool make contact to sign "incredible" £85m talent

Liverpool are hoping to sign a centre-forward in the summer transfer market.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 10, 2025

Although the Reds are willing to let their young gem leave in pursuit of game time this summer, the same can’t be said for another player even as Bayern Munich step up their reported chase.

Bayern Munich submit opening £45m bid to sign Diaz

According to Christian Falk of Sport Bild, Bayern Munich have now submitted an opening offer to sign Luis Diaz worth €52m (£45m). Liverpool, however, have reportedly told the German giants that the winger is not for sale this summer and will reportedly demand around €80m (£69m) if that stance does change.

Into the final two years of his current contract with no fresh deal on the table, Diaz is reportedly keen on an Anfield exit to join the Bundesliga winners this summer in what could cause quite the clash with Liverpool’s sale stance. Whether the Colombian now pushes to join Bayern this summer will be the big question in the coming weeks.

Whilst a new contract remains unlikely, Diaz is still an important member of Arne Slot’s Liverpool squad after an excellent campaign helped the Reds win the Premier League title last time out.

Dubbed “really special” by former manager Jurgen Klopp, it’s no surprise that a side of Bayern’s calibre are interested in Diaz’s signature, but it’s also, therefore, no shock that Liverpool have so far retained their stance that he is not for sale this summer.

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli has brushed off concerns over Chris Gayle’s form and is confident the West Indies opener can come up with the runs when the team needs it

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Apr-2016Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli has brushed off concerns over Chris Gayle’s form and was confident the opener can come up with the runs when the team needs it.Gayle has scored 1 and 0 in the side’s first two IPL 2016 matches. He has not scored in double-figures since his 47-ball century against England in the World T20 last month. Overall, Gayle has made 3200 runs in 84 IPL matches, of which 2737 runs have come for Royal Challengers. The batsman also has five centuries for the franchise, including a 66-ball 175* against Pune Warriors in IPL 2013, which is the highest individual score in T20 cricket.”I am sure he will come good at some stage of the tournament,” Kohli said, after Royal Challengers’ seven-wicket loss to Delhi Daredevils in Bangalore on Sunday. “Probably, he may get a hundred for us when it’s required the most. I am not too worried about Gayle, because the other guys are stepping up nicely. Cricket is all about grabbing the opportunity, if some others fail.”Chris takes lot of pride playing for RCB. He has been a standout player for us. I think people just expect a lot out of him every T20 match he plays because he is good at it and has scored 17 centuries, which is not a joke. So, expectations are high and Gayle wants to live up to them.”Despite Gayle’s low scores, Royal Challengers have racked up totals of 227 and 191, against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Daredevils, building on fifties from AB de Villiers and Kohli in each game. With Shane Watson also in the line-up, Kohli believed any of the top four batsmen could turn the match for Royal Challengers.”Well we got 230 in the first match and then almost 200 in this match, without Gayle firing. Guess what would happen when he fires!” Kohli said. “Four guys – Gayle, AB de Villiers, myself and Shane Watson – of international calibre playing in one team, it always helps. You can rely on those four to turn the game for you.”

Australia quick James Pattinson has signed a two-year deal with Brisbane Heat for the Big Bash League. Pattinson, who had been with Melbourne Renegades between 2013 and 2017, missed the entire last season because of a back stress fracture – the fourth such time he had been diagnosed with the injury in more or less exactly the same spot in his back.He subsequently underwent a surgery in New Zealand late last year, the same procedure that helped prolong the careers of former New Zealand quick Shane Bond, and current players Matt Henry, Hamish Bennett and Corey Anderson.”I’m feeling very good physically after the surgery and I’m looking forward to getting back into some bowling during the winter,” Pattinson said. “The facilities at Allan Border Field are second to none so that will also be very helpful as I build towards the coming season.”Pattinson hasn’t played a competitive match since July last year but Daniel Vettori, the Heat coach, believed that his workload could be managed like how his former New Zealand team-mate and former assistant at the Heat, Shane Bond’s had been done.”Knowing how Shane and other bowlers have managed their career in similar circumstances will help us provide the right environment for him to deliver his best,” Vettori said. “As a senior player, James will also have the chance to do likewise and mentor some of our up-and-coming bowlers.”I’m sure the Heat fans will make him very welcome when he arrives and we’re looking forward to some more exciting matches with James in our squad.”Pattinson bolsters a pace attack that includes Mark Steketee, Brendan Doggett, and allrounder Ben Cutting. Pattinson said he was feeling “very good physically” and that he was looking forward to return to action.

Happy Monday!   

There are 10 games on the MLB slate today, and plenty of ways to get in on the action. Here are a couple of wagers we are targeting tonight.  

MLB Best Bets Today for Monday, Aug. 19

• Baltimore Orioles ML (+120)
• White Sox at Giants NRFI (-125)

Baltimore Orioles ML (+120) vs. New York Mets

It’s not often we get the option to take the Baltimore Orioles as underdogs, so we are going to grab the chance tonight against the New York Mets.

The Orioles have a 36-24 road record this season and are 43-27 vs. teams above .500.  Meanwhile, the Mets are just 33-32 at home and 25-35 vs. teams above .500.  

Baltimore will start Trevor Rogers tonight, and on the surface that gives them a big disadvantage. The lefty has struggled this season, and especially since the All-Star Break. Since the break he has an ERA of 5.55 while allowing hitters a .330 batting average. That is not good.   

His xERA and exit velocity allowed are in the bottom 9% percent of MLB.

New York will start lefty David Peterson, which could line up nicely for the O's.

Peterson has a 2.97 ERA since the All-Star Break, allowing just a .222 batting average to opposing hitters. However, taking a peek under the hood, Peterson could be due for regression. Peterson’s xERA is in the bottom 7% of the league, which is even higher than Rogers', and his exit velocity allowed is in the bottom 20% of the league. 

It’s far from a sure thing that he can keep this Orioles team that’s scored the sixth-most runs since the All Star Break at bay. 

Both teams are strong vs. left-handed pitching. The Orioles and Mets are top-five in OPS and both teams are hitting .260 (tied for seventh) vs. southpaws. However, the Orioles lead MLB in SLG vs. lefties and they are seventh in ISO as compared to the Mets in fourteenth. 

The Mets have the bullpen and home advantage, too. So, yes, they should be favorites. But, for +120, I’m willing to bet the Orioles can pull this one off in Queens.  

Chicago White Sox at San Francisco Giants NRFI (-125)

The Chicago White Sox were officially eliminated from playoff contention this weekend, and they have scored an MLB-worst 3.10 runs per game this season.  

They have also only scored 18% of the time in the first inning. 

San Francisco Giants pitcher Kyle Harrison has a home ERA of just 3.64, and a first inning ERA of 4.29, but that’s good enough for me to trust him against an anemic offense. 

The Giants have scored just 4.08 runs per game in August, which is the ninth-fewest in MLB, and they are also not prone to scoring early.  

San Francisco has scored in the first inning just 23% of the time this season. Jonathan Cannon will start for the White Sox tonight, and he has been good since the All Star Break with an ERA of just 3.34.    

The ex-PSG star missed from the spot in the first half against Al-Shabab, but put in a virtuoso performance thereafter to seal victory

With the Saudi Pro League season now in full swing, the latest round of matches produced yet more drama as the title race begins to take shape in the Middle East. After eight matches, it is Al-Hilal who sit top of the pile after Neymar inspired them to victory over Al-Shabab on Friday.

That win saw them leapfrog defending champions Al-Ittihad, who were held to a goalless draw by Al-Feiha, while Cristiano Ronaldo's late penalty ensured Al-Nassr stretched their winning run to six league games and climbed into the top four for the first time this season.

Alas, what was tipped as the game of the weekend failed to live up to expectations, as Al-Ahli drew 0-0 with Al-Ettifaq. Steven Gerrard's side will be the happier of the two teams, however, with Ahli continuing to slide down the table having won just one of their last four league games.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the latest round of Saudi Pro League action…

• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: Neymar

  Having made a slow start to life in his new surroundings, it seemed like it was going to be more of the same for Neymar when he missed a first-half penalty against Al-Shabab on Friday.

  The Brazilian superstar, however, ensured that he went from villain to hero after the break as he put in a virtuoso performance to carry Al-Hilal back to the top of the table. He provided the assist for Kalidou Koulibaly to open the scoring and was at the heart at every dangerous attack that Hilal produced.

  If Neymar can maintain this level of performance and remain injury-free, then Saudi Arabia's most successful club could very well secure themselves another league title.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  LOSER: Nuno Espirito Santo

  After a difficult week, the pressure is beginning to pile on Al-Ittihad manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Having required a penalty shootout to beat second-division side Al-Kholood in the King's Cup in midweek, the defending champions were then held to a goalless draw by Al-Feiha on Friday.

  Those dropped points meant Ittihad slipped from the top of the table, with Nuno's side looking toothless in attack without the injured Karim Benzema. Despite the absence of the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, Nuno still has plenty of options to pick from, but he is struggling to get a tune out of his team right now.

  Their next two league matches could well decide the ex-Tottenham manager's fate, as they first take on sixth-placed Al-Ahli before facing the season's surprise package, third-placed Al-Taawoun after the international break.

• WINNER: Jorge Jesus

  Ahead of Al-Hilal's clash with Al-Shabab, reports in the media had surfaced that suggested there was a growing tension between the club's players – particularly those brought in during the summer transer window – and manager Jorge Jesus.

  Those rumours have now been put to bed, however, after a video emerged of the Hilal squad chanting for the Portuguese coach as he entered the dressing room following his side's 2-0 win on Friday.

  The victory will undoubtedly ease some of the pressure that was building on Jesus, especially since it lifted his side back to the top of the table.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  LOSER: Al-Shabab

  During the early weeks of the season, Ever Banega's wife, Valeria Juan, hit out at Al-Shabab fans who had been criticising her husband for his performances, claiming that if the Argentina midfielder wasn't supported, then the team won't be able to deliver.

  It seems that she was right, with Friday's loss to Al-Hilal keeping a team who many expected to at least challenge for the title in the bottom half of the table. Shabab have won just two of their eight league matches so far, and Banega has struggled to influence games despite his undoubted ability.

  Fingers are currently being pointed at summer acquisition Habib Diallo, who is yet to find the net despite being signed for €18 million (£15.5m/$19m) after scoring 20 goals in Ligue 1 for Strasbourg last season.

Barcelona are hoping to see Lamine Yamal become the next Lionel Messi, but accept that the 16-year-old wonderkid faces a different set of challenges.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Stepped out of La Masia academy systemBroken records at senior levelFollowing in footsteps of Argentine iconWHAT HAPPENED?

La Masia academy graduate Yamal has sent records tumbling since bursting onto the senior scene in Catalunya. He has rewritten the history books with Barca and the Spain national team, making it impossible for his precocious talent to be ignored.

AdvertisementGOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Barca have plenty of experience when it comes to nurturing such potential, with eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi among the previous teenage hopefuls to have stepped out of their famed youth system en route to becoming a global superstar.

WHAT DECO SAID ABOUT YAMAL

Yamal is treading a similar path, but sporting director Deco has told of why the hot prospect in the present faces a tougher task than those of the recent past: “We are facing something different that we have to take care of. The good thing about Leo was that he had a team that didn’t demand anything from him, he played in an atmosphere of growth because during the first few years he didn’t have any responsibility. When it was his turn to take it on, he already had all the experience. We will try to let Lamine grow with a bit of calm.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL?

Yamal has taken the Messi comparisons in his stride, with the youngster seemingly immune to pressure. The good news for Barcelona is that there is still plenty to come from him, as he gains more experience, while he has also been tied to a contact through to 2026.

West Ham United have enjoyed considerable success under the tutelage of David Moyes, and certainly owe a lot to the veteran Scottish manager, having risen to European stature over the past two campaigns.

Granted, progress has fallen by the wayside this term, and the Hammers languish near the nadir of the Premier League after 22 matches, just two places and two points above Everton in 18th place, but there have certainly been the highest of highs to counteract the perils that plague the outfit at present.

But after confidently winning their Europa Conference League group, West Ham await the results of the first knockout phase in the competition as they prepare for their opposition, sights fixed on a surge towards what would be a monumental European triumph, should they succeed.

Did Olivier Giroud nearly join West Ham?

Moyes will be confident in his side’s ability to rectify the wrongs and end the season on a high, but he might cast a rueful gaze back to the transfer activity of 20/21 when assessing his team’s prospects of success, both domestically and in Europe, when a certain record-breaking French talisman slipped through Iron fingers.

Olivier Giroud, formerly of Arsenal and, more recently, Chelsea, departed Stamford Bridge for AC Milan in the summer of 2021, mere months after West Ham’s swoop for the veteran striker fell wide of the mark.

Did West Ham miss a trick with Giroud?

The roaring success of the past few years will have swiftly dissipated any dark clouds that followed the failed transfer to sign Giroud, with last season’s run to the Europa League semi-final an indication that the Hammers were on the up.

However, his abundant pedigree could have been just what Moyes needed, with his physicality and towering presence the perfect magnet to draw in defenders and create pockets of space for the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma to weave into.

And his experience, indeed a winner of the World Cup and Champions League among many other major honours, could have been the catalyst to ensuring the club overcame adversity against Eintracht Frankfurt, eventual Europa League champions, in the bitter disappointment of the penultimate stage.

Since the failed bid, the Hammers have spent £35.5m on Gianluca Scamacca and now £15m for Danny Ings, and with Giroud reportedly costing Milan just £855k, the deal certainly could’ve been one of the shrewdest, most prudent buys in recent West Ham history.

The latter, Ings, fell out of favour under Unai Emery at Aston Villa, starting only on two occasions in the league since the Spanish manager’s debut against Manchester United, and given that the fee paid dwarfs what Milan parted with for the illustrious Giroud, there might be a sense of resentment over the predicament – that could have been averted – that resulted in the requirement for a new forward.

Giroud is not only an imposing and physical forward threat, but an exquisite master of ball control, selfless, and a wise reader of the game, one of the more abundant footballing intellects on the major stage.

The World champion, hailed as “intelligent” and “exceptional” by Gary Lineker, is France’s all-time top goalscorer, plundering 53 goals from 120 appearances and breaking Thierry Henry’s record at the 2022 World Cup, and the storm that is his attacking calibre is showing no sign of abating, despite his twilight age.

The 36-year-old has scored 262 goals and supplied 91 assists at club level over the duration of his professional career, and despite his age, has landed 35 direct contributions from 67 appearances for the Rossoneri, including 11 goals this season.

Moyes would have dearly benefitted from a signing of Giroud’s ilk, and while £15m has been splashed on Ings to combat the club’s concerning position in the Premier League, one can’t help but feel the impact won’t be quite as profound, had Giroud donned the claret shirt.

West Ham United have identified Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as their top target to replace Declan Rice, according to a recent report.

The Lowdown: Rice set to leave?

Rice’s current contract is set to expire at the end of next season, meaning West Ham could be forced into a sale this summer, should they want to receive the highest possible transfer fee.

David Moyes has suggested that their midfielder is worth north of £150m, and there are multiple Premier League clubs interested in his signature, including Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

As such, the Hammers have now started to identify potential replacements…

The Latest: Milinkovic-Savic is top target

As per a report from The Sun, the Irons have placed Milinkovic-Savic at the top of their list to replace Rice, and he may be available this summer, given that his contract will also have just one year left before expiry.

Moyes is already believed to have sent Alan Irvine on a scouting mission, in order to get a closer look at the midfielder, and he may be in West Ham’s price range, given that he has been overlooked by other clubs.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-news-6/” title=”West Ham latest news” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/cropped-david-moyes-premier-league-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Make it happen

Such is the talent of the 27-year-old, he was lauded as ‘magic’ by teammate Ciro Immobile earlier this season, who even added that he is ‘on the same level’ as Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.

The Serbian’s assist stats certainly put him in the same bracket as De Bruyne, reaching double figures in his previous two Serie A campaigns, while he has already set up his teammates for goals on eight occasions so far this term.

Nobody at West Ham will be keen for Rice to depart, however if he is to leave, then the next best thing is bringing in a replacement who’s on a similar level.

Milinkovic-Savic is exactly that, and he also provides far more of an attacking threat, ranking higher than the Englishman for non-penalty goals, assists and shot-creating actions per 90 over the past year.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly could ditch manager Graham Potter and issue a swoop for Jose Mourinho, who has led the Blues on two illustrious prior occasions, in a move that may finally get the best out of under-firing Kalidou Koulibaly.

What’s the latest on Chelsea’s managerial hunt?

After winning just two of the past 15 fixtures across all competitions, Potter’s grip on the reins of his Blues outfit appears to grow increasingly weaker, and despite the faith of the owners, the Telegraph’s Matt Law reports that the next two fixtures, against Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund, could be definitive for the 47-year-old.

And now, according to former Italian footballer Antonio Cassano (via Sport Witness), Mourinho would be ‘keen’ on a return to Stamford Bridge, should an opening materialise.

Cassano said: “If Inzaghi were to be fired, I would rule out the return of José Mourinho. If an offer from the Premier League were to arrive, the Special One would choose England. The fans fell in love with his attitude (in Italy), but he intends to leave, and for me, he can only go back to Chelsea.”

Could Mourinho really get the best out of Koulibaly?

Mourinho’s first two spells with Chelsea left him with an illustrious trophy cabinet consisting of three Premier League trophies, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

And while he was sacked on both occasions, there may just be a belief that he can stamp an instant change into life at Stamford Bridge, something that is duly needed given that the Blues are currently tenth in the Premier League, 13 points off top-four.

According to one tactical analysis, Mourinho’s system with i Lupi focusses on forcing opposition out wide and negating the threat in the central defensive areas; Koulibaly, who is 6 foot 1 and ranks among the top 12% of defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for blocks per 90, also winning two aerial battle per match across the duration of his career, can prove effective in this regard.

And given his former imperious standing with the Partenopei in Italy, Mourinho might just hold the key to unlocking his potential and ensuring he returns to his former zeal with his west London outfit.

Hailed as “outstanding” by former Chelsea man Joe Cole, Mourinho is an experienced and iconic manager with a heap of defensive pedigree – indeed, the chosen one’s 2004/05 title-winning Blues team hold the division’s greatest seasonal defensive record to this date – Koulibaly might just benefit from a switch in system that finally opens the floor for him to flourish.

Considering this, Chelsea might just strike gold with an audacious managerial appointment of Mourinho, with the distinguished Champions League-winning boss perhaps feeling he can issue a three-peat of successful spells in west London.

And with his defensive acumen in mind, Koulibaly might just, belatedly, get his career at Stamford Bridge up and running.