Liverpool face tough transfer battle for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens - Paper Round

Liverpool are believed to be keen on Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, who left Manchester City in 2020.

Liverpool are not the only club keeping tabs on the player, according to the Mirror.

The outlet reports: “Liverpool have sent scouts to keep tabs on Jamie Gittens as interest in the Borussia Dortmund winger ramps up.

“Gittens, 20, has become the latest England youth international to flourish in the Bundesliga after quitting Manchester City in 2020, despite some initial injury struggles and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The versatile winger has enjoyed a fine start to the new season after netting both of Dortmund's goals in their opening day win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the league and another brace in the Champions League. And, unsurprisingly, it seems his form under new head coach Nuri Sahin has not gone unnoticed.

“Clubs throughout Europe are said to be keeping a close watch on Gittens' development - and the youngster has Premier League suitors in the form of Liverpool.”

Former Tottenham and Everton attacking midfielder Dele Alli has been linked with a return to football at French club Lille.

He is available for nothing up front, though Spurs may be due performance-related payments if he was sold by the French club.

The Daily Mail writes: “Dele did not play a single minute last season due to a long-term thigh injury, though there was a banner hung in the Gwladys Street End as fans offered their support following his brave public admissions about his childhood.

“He is now technically a free agent. Everton are open to offering him a new contract if he proves his fitness, and Tottenham have been good to him by writing off an agreement that would see them paid £10 million if he played 20 times for The Toffees - he is currently on 13 appearances.

“There is a slight catch 22 with getting him signed. As he is not registered, he is ineligible to play in, say, Under-21 matches to prove his fitness and ability again. But without a programme of matches, it is hard for him to do that. 

“If he were to sign for Everton, Mail Sport understands that Spurs would now be compensated in performance-based bonuses and also with a sell-on clause. French club Lille have been among clubs to show an interest in signing him.”

After Lee Carsley’s struggles with the UEFA Nations League and the England side, The Telegraph suggests two alternatives.

They mentioned Bayern Munich’s former manager Thomas Tuchel, and also think Pep Guardiola might be an option despite his salary demands.

The paper explains: “Thomas Tuchel is available and would certainly represent an elite-level appointment but even he cannot claim to be the leading man of the era.

“That, of course, is Guardiola. His current contract expires at Manchester City at the end of the season. Next summer will also mark the departure from City of director of football Txiki Begiristain, the man who originally championed Guardiola the coach and variously became his great collaborator, friend and expert recruiter. Guardiola has conquered the domestic game in Spain, Germany and England. He will be 54 in January. The Catalan has long said that he wants to coach an international team.

“Guardiola is believed to earn around £20 million a year at City. In its most recent financial results for the year ending July 31, 2023, the FA announced a turnover of £481 million of which £80 million went on salary costs.

“Those costs will have included Gareth Southgate’s salary of around £5 million, although Guardiola’s would add considerably more. He may accept that moving to international football would require him to lower his expectations in that regard. Aside from the Middle East, there is no national association that could spend the same as a top Premier League club. Not that Guardiola would ever be cheap for the FA. As a not-for-profit institution that receives public money and ploughs all revenue back into football at all levels, spending is always a sensitive point.”

Zinedine Zidane may be frustrated in his pursuit of the France national team job when Didier Deschamps departs.

The Daily Express believes that might help Manchester United, who have considered appointing him in the past.

The paper states: “Manchester United's chances of securing Zinedine Zidane as their new manager have been given a lift, with rumours swirling about the Frenchman stepping in to replace Erik ten Hag.

“The Red Devils have endured a disastrous beginning to the season, managing only two wins from their first seven Premier League games.

“However, United are not the only club vying for Zidane's services. The French FA are said to be considering the ex-Real Madrid midfielder as a possible successor to France manager Didier Deschamps.

“Yet, according to French media outlet RMC, Deschamps has no intention of stepping down in the near future.”

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