Today's Gossip: Liverpool Eye Ajax winger; Barca Bid £10m For Dutch Star

Arsenal have switched central defensive targets to Atletico’s Jose Gimenez, while Liverpool will rival AC Milan for Ajax winger Anwar El Ghazi, according to Friday morning’s papers.

Liverpool Chase Ajax Star El Ghazi

Liverpool are interested in signing 21-year-old Ajax winger Anwar El Ghazi and will battle AC Milan to sign him, according to reports in the Italian press.

Italian outlet Il Tempo say the Reds are keen on the winger, who netted 11 times in 27 appearances for the Dutch giants last term.

Tuttosport claim AC Milan are also in the running to land El Ghazi’s signature, while fellow Serie A side Lazio have also been linked.

Ajax are believed to want to start negotiations for the player at around £15million, but it’s thought interest from both clubs could push the deal in excess of £22million.

Liverpool were linked with El Ghazi earlier this year, but with Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum arriving to join Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho in their attacking midfielder ranks, a move for the player seems unlikely.

Barcelona Bid £10m For Jasper Cillessen

Barcelona have made a £10million move for Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen in a deal that will trigger Claudio Bravo's move to Manchester City.

Holland international Cillessen, 27, has emerged as the Spanish side's preferred option after talks stalled with Valencia for Diego Alves who is also talking to Sevilla.

A deal is agreed between Manchester City and Barcelona for Claudio Bravo who has told team-mates he is moving to Manchester. The move will prompt the departure of Joe Hart.

The 29-year-old is interested in a move to Spain with Sevilla one of his suitors also but such a deal would mean Manchester City heavily subsidising his £140,000 a week salary.

Hart has interest from Everton and Borussia Dortmund with a move to Merseyside meaning less upheaval.

After driving for their desired price on John Stones, Everton would be expected to pay a loan fee plus Hart's wage in full

Benteke Set For Palace Medical

Christian Benteke’s short-lived Liverpool career is set to come to an end after the club accepted Crystal Palace’s bid of £27million plus add-ons for the Belgium striker.

According to widespread reports, the Eagles will pay a potential further £5million dependent on certain criteria being met during the 25-year-old’s stay at Selhurst Park.

Benteke is scheduled to travel to London for a medical on Friday.

The deal should mean Liverpool recoup most of the £32.5million they spent on the striker last summer in bringing him to Anfield from Aston Villa.

Benteke was brought in by manager Jurgen Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers, who regarded the striker as a key signing in his plans for the future.

Gimenez Linked With Arsenal Switch

Arsenal have started talks with Atletico Madrid over the signing of Uruguay centre-back Jose Gimenez.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is said to have grown frustrated by the failure to wrap up a deal for Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi, so has instead turned attentions to the 21-year-old centre-half Gimenez, according to Spanish publication Sport.

The paper claims, however, Arsenal face more lengthy negotiations to sign the defender with the player having a £56m (€65million) buy-out clause in his contract. Arsenal, according to the report, have been told by the player’s agent that they could land the player, however, for nearer to £40million.

That’s £10m more than Eric Bailly cost Manchester United but Atletico would argue that at just 21 years of age, he has already played in one World Cup, two Copa Americas and picked up a league winner’s medal.

Others

Chelsea are having to consider paying up to £60m for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly (London Evening Standard)

Manchester City are refusing to let England goalkeeper Joe Hart leave on loan and want more than £30m for the 29-year-old (The Sun)

Hart will join Everton on loan as City have moved a step closer to signing Chile keeper Claudio Bravo, 33, from Barcelona in a £17.4m deal (Daily Mirror)

Barcelona will sign Ajax and Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, 27, as a replacement for Bravo (Telegraaf)

City boss Pep Guardiola may sign a centre-back after the arrival of Bravo (Manchester Evening News)

Hull are keen on Everton misfit Oumar Niasse, who has been told to leave Goodison Park by Ronald Koeman (Liverpool Echo)

Manchester United will not be signing any other players this summer after spending £156m on France midfielder Paul Pogba, 23, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 34, Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly, 22, and Armenia winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 27 (Daily Mail)

Leeds United chairman Massimo Cellino is losing patience with manager Garry Monk after just four games of the season (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland boss David Moyes has offered Ivory Coast defender Lamine Kone a new £50,000-a-week contract. Everton want to sign the 27-year-old (The Sun)

Swansea are looking to Serie A as they try to replace 31-year-old Wales defender Ashley Williams, who has joined Everton (Wales Online)

West Brom will only give up on signing Ghana full-back Jeffrey Schlupp if the 23-year-old signs a new deal at Leicester (Birmingham Mail)

Adama Traore has told Aston Villa that he wants to leave the club before the end of the month (Birmingham Mail)

Colombia striker Carlos Bacca says he will stay at AC Milan this season. The 29-year-old has been linked with West Ham (AC Milan website)

Tottenham have moved again for Espanyol’s Spanish goalkeeper Pau Lopez. The London club have already failed with a £3m bid for the 21-year-old and will now try to sign him on a season-long loan. (Evening Standard)

Stoke have agreed a £200,000 deal for Dundee United’s 6ft 7in central defender Harry Souttar, 17 (Dundee Courier)