£45m Liverpool star reveals Man Utd transfer talks as Chelsea eye bargain summer signing

A round-up of your latest football transfer rumours - as well as some 3AddedMinutes insight for good measure.

Pep recommends De Zerbi

Pep Guardiola has told Barcelona to appoint Roberto De Zerbi as their next manager, according to reports in Spain. Catalan icon Xavi Hernandez is set to step down at the end of the season - but the Brighton boss has played down talk about a potential exit.

“I would like to finish this season in the best way, playing with not all players because March and Mitoma both finished the season,” De Zerbi said at a recent press conference. 

“But the other players, I would like to play with Julio Enciso, Joao Pedro to compete and try to win as many games as we can. Yes, I have a contract. Until now, I have not decided anything and my mind is on Brighton 100 per cent.”

However, Guardiola - revered by Barcelona - has urged his former club to appoint the Italian. Liverpool are also linked with signing De Zerbi to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.

3AM verdict: Who would I be to question the great Guardiola? Brighton are renowned as a stepping-stone club and where else to test your skills than the Nou Camp? His style of play would also fit in with the Barca way. The club are, however, riddled with financial instabilities… but he hardly has a king’s ransom to spend on the south coast.

Chelsea eye £15m left-back

Chelsea are plotting a swoop for £15million defender Archie Brown, who plays for Belgian outfit Gent. The Blues have options at left-back, including Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella.

Lewis Hall also remains on their books but he is set to complete a permanent move to Newcastle United in the summer. But Brown - born in Birmingham - has developed into one of Europe’s top talents since moving to the continent in 2021.

Standard Sport are reporting that Chelsea must stump up around £15million to sign the 21-year-old. The piece also claims Maurcio Pochettino will look to sell Cucurella - a £63million signing just 18 months ago.

3AM verdict: Needing to sign another left-back highlights the state of Chelsea’s transfer dealings in recent years. Spending the best part of £100million on left-backs and still looking light in that department is puzzling - especially with Hall also at Newcastle.

Gakpo opens up about Man Utd

Cody Gakpo has revealed he spoke to Erik ten Hag… before signing for Liverpool. Manchester United were linked with the forward after appointing Ten Hag as manager.

United have signed several Dutch players in recent times but Gakpo chose Anfield. Speaking to Sky Sports, the former PSV Eindhoven star discussed the transfer saga.

“It was the summer. I was in contact with the club (Man United) and the manager,” he said. “He’s Dutch, so I spoke to him as well. At the end of the day, it fell through. That’s it. And, in the winter, Liverpool came. It was the best decision for me.”

3AM verdict: Gakpo has not hit the heights expected of him at Liverpool - but there is no doubt he would have improved United. The Red Devils’ frontline, until recently, has underwhelmed all season. Having a player like Gakpo would also trigger the likes of Marcus Rashford to up their game.