LIVERPOOL CONTINUE TO pursue a deal to sign Florian Wirtz after their £109million [€129m] bid was rebuffed by Bayer Leverkusen.
A firm offer was made on Friday but the Bundesliga side are holding out for a fee closer to £125m [€148m] and talks are continuing.
Reports in Germany have suggested Leverkusen would be interested in signing a Liverpool player – midfielder Harvey Elliott and defender Jarell Quansah have both been mentioned – to offset the difference in valuation.
However, the PA news agency understands the Premier League champions have not held any discussions about any makeweights to help the deal over the line.
Second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to complete a move to Brentford in a deal worth up to £18million (€21m).
The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international is in the final year of his contract and wants regular first-team football. Ireland team-mate — and Merseyside rival — Jake O’Brien is backing Kelleher to shine
“If it goes through, it’s a great move for him, to become a number one in the Premier League,” said O’Brien at FAI HQ. “I think everyone knows how good he is and how high his ceiling is. He can push on and do great things… he’s up there with the best.”
Elsewhere, Chelsea have announced the signing of Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £18 million [€21m].
The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Spanish side Las Palmas as they were relegated from La Liga, will be available to feature for the Blues at the Club World Cup later this month.
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Essugo came through Sporting’s academy and became the youngest player to appear for the club’s first team at the age of 16 in March 2021.
Deals for both Essugo and Geovany Quenda were initially agreed in March.
Quenda will remain at Sporting until the end of the 2025/26 season before joining for £44 million [€52m].
Chelsea are set to further boost their squad in the coming days as they close in on a £30 million deal for Ipswich striker Liam Delap.
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic will miss the Club World Cup after undergoing Achilles surgery.
Kovacic missed the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace through injury earlier this month. He returned to face Bournemouth in the Premier League but was sent off and sat out the final game of the season at Fulham.
City have now confirmed the 31-year-old has required an operation. No timescale has been put on his recovery but the focus is now on next season.
Ryan Mason (file photo). Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Meanwhile, West Brom appointed former Tottenham midfielder and caretaker manager Ryan Mason as their new boss on Monday.
Mason, 33, has signed a three-year deal at the Hawthorns and is tasked with getting West Brom promoted back to the Premier League.
“This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fanbase and I am excited about what we can achieve together,” Mason said in a statement.
West Brom finished ninth in the Championship last season and had been without a manager since the sacking of Tony Mowbray in April.
After his playing career was ended early by a serious head injury, Mason returned to Spurs as a coach in 2018.
He stepped up as caretaker boss in 2021 and 2023 following the sackings of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
Mason was part of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff as Tottenham ended a 17-year wait to win a trophy by lifting the Europa League last month.
“Ryan has been an integral part of Tottenham Hotspur for a number of years, both as a player and a coach,” said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ryan for all his dedication and hard work over the years, and we wish him every success for the future.”
Irish international Jayson Molumby plays his club football for West Brom.
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Liverpool’s latest bid for Florian Wirtz rejected as Bayer Leverkusen want €148 million
LAST UPDATE | 2 Jun 2025
LIVERPOOL CONTINUE TO pursue a deal to sign Florian Wirtz after their £109million [€129m] bid was rebuffed by Bayer Leverkusen.
A firm offer was made on Friday but the Bundesliga side are holding out for a fee closer to £125m [€148m] and talks are continuing.
Reports in Germany have suggested Leverkusen would be interested in signing a Liverpool player – midfielder Harvey Elliott and defender Jarell Quansah have both been mentioned – to offset the difference in valuation.
However, the PA news agency understands the Premier League champions have not held any discussions about any makeweights to help the deal over the line.
Second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to complete a move to Brentford in a deal worth up to £18million (€21m).
The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international is in the final year of his contract and wants regular first-team football. Ireland team-mate — and Merseyside rival — Jake O’Brien is backing Kelleher to shine
“If it goes through, it’s a great move for him, to become a number one in the Premier League,” said O’Brien at FAI HQ. “I think everyone knows how good he is and how high his ceiling is. He can push on and do great things… he’s up there with the best.”
Elsewhere, Chelsea have announced the signing of Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £18 million [€21m].
The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Spanish side Las Palmas as they were relegated from La Liga, will be available to feature for the Blues at the Club World Cup later this month.
Essugo came through Sporting’s academy and became the youngest player to appear for the club’s first team at the age of 16 in March 2021.
Deals for both Essugo and Geovany Quenda were initially agreed in March.
Quenda will remain at Sporting until the end of the 2025/26 season before joining for £44 million [€52m].
Chelsea are set to further boost their squad in the coming days as they close in on a £30 million deal for Ipswich striker Liam Delap.
Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic will miss the Club World Cup after undergoing Achilles surgery.
Kovacic missed the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace through injury earlier this month. He returned to face Bournemouth in the Premier League but was sent off and sat out the final game of the season at Fulham.
City have now confirmed the 31-year-old has required an operation. No timescale has been put on his recovery but the focus is now on next season.
Meanwhile, West Brom appointed former Tottenham midfielder and caretaker manager Ryan Mason as their new boss on Monday.
Mason, 33, has signed a three-year deal at the Hawthorns and is tasked with getting West Brom promoted back to the Premier League.
“This is a huge club with a fantastic infrastructure and an incredible fanbase and I am excited about what we can achieve together,” Mason said in a statement.
West Brom finished ninth in the Championship last season and had been without a manager since the sacking of Tony Mowbray in April.
After his playing career was ended early by a serious head injury, Mason returned to Spurs as a coach in 2018.
He stepped up as caretaker boss in 2021 and 2023 following the sackings of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
Mason was part of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff as Tottenham ended a 17-year wait to win a trophy by lifting the Europa League last month.
“Ryan has been an integral part of Tottenham Hotspur for a number of years, both as a player and a coach,” said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ryan for all his dedication and hard work over the years, and we wish him every success for the future.”
Irish international Jayson Molumby plays his club football for West Brom.
With reporting from – © AFP 2025
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