A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Wayne Rooney admits he felt sorry for one player on international duty and Anfield chiefs prepare to bid for Joao Neves’ transfer.
Liverpool target Levi Colwill is happy to stay at Chelsea
Liverpool have suffered a blow in their bid to sign Arne Slot a new centre-back as Levi Colwill is happy to stay at Chelsea. That is according to The Express, which reports the 21-year-old is ready to snub a move to Bayern Munich to fight for a place under Enzo Maresca next term.
Colwill finished the 2023/24 campaign on the bench as Mauricio Pochettino saw out his only season in charge of Chelsea. But the arrival of Maresca has tempted the Southampton-born talent to stay into next season. Chelsea also do not have any pressing desires to sell Colwill.
However, Chelsea will consider selling for big bids, and 90min has noted that Liverpool have informed Colwill of their interest. The Reds believe they will get the chance to target a move this summer, as well, despite the English gem being under contract in west London to 2029.
Read more about Liverpool target Colwill’s stance on a transfer from Chelsea, here.
Liverpool are ready to make Benfica an offer for Joao Neves
Liverpool are ready to make SL Benfica an opening offer for the transfer of Joao Neves in the next few days. That is according to CM Jornal, which reports that Anfield chiefs view the 19-year-old as a priority signing. The Merseyside natives now intend to intensify their advances.
Reds chiefs accept Benfica will be tough negotiators as the Liga Portugal giants have already indicated they want €120m (£101.5m) for Neves. As Aguias believe the level of interest in a move for the midfielder suggests they can demand the full value of his release clause to sell.
Scouts have informed Liverpool all term of what Neves could offer at Anfield and Diogo Jota has also sung his compatriot’s praises. Now, the Reds are set to make their first move whilst the wonderkid prepares to represent Portugal at Euro 2024, less than a year after his debut.
Read more about Liverpool’s offer for Neves’ transfer, here.
Wayne Rooney felt sorry for Jarell Quansah after England vs Iceland
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has admitted he felt sorry for Jarell Quansah after seeing how the Liverpool defender reacted after England lost to Iceland. The 21-year-old got in a Three Lions squad for the first time ahead of Euro 2024 but did not make the final team.
Gareth Southgate included Quansah in England’s provisional 33-man squad in reward for his breakthrough at Liverpool. But the coach left the defender on the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina, before telling Quansah that he would not be flying to Germany for Euro 2024.
Quansah opted to stay with the England squad for their friendly against Iceland, unlike Jack Grealish and James Maddison who also missed the cut. But Rooney felt sorry for the centre-half after seeing his final hopes for heading to Euro 2024 fall away without playing a second.
Rooney told The Overlap: “He kept Quansah there and I watched him after the game, I was on the side of the pitch doing TV, and I watched every player walk around the pitch after the game. As soon as the final whistle went, Quansah goes in.
“Straight away you have a split. He has probably seen nobody got injured and I felt for him, as he was probably in having a shower and leaving and he was the only one there.
“I think Gareth should have said go home, if there is an injury, be ready and give them that 24 or 48 hours, if anyone gets injured, I’ll call you, otherwise go on your holidays.”
Read more about what Rooney noticed about Quansah, here.