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Transfer news and rumours: Paul Pogba deal 'held up' by row, Liverpool to offload Christian Benteke

All the latest transfer stories from across the continent on Tuesday 26 July

Tuesday 26 July 2016 07:11 BST

Paul Pogba during France's 2016 Euro final (Getty)

Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United is being held by a disagreement over who pays Mino Raiola’s £25m agent fee, according to the Sun. United and Raiola are happy for both clubs to pay £12.5m but the Serie A giants are allegedly refusing to pay Pogba’s agent a penny.

The Italians are understood to be angry at the manner Raiola has conducted himself throughout negotiations and believe he engineered this deal for his own gain.

Liverpool could recoup £100m this summer as the Reds look to sell a number of players deemed surplus to requirements. The club has already sold seven players, including Joe Allen, Jordon Ibe, Joao Carlos Teixeira and Martin Skrtel, for an accumulative total worth £50m.

However, that figure is expected to rise with Crystal Palace prepared to pay an estimated £30m for Christian Benteke while others such as Mario Balotelli and Luis Alberto could also be set to leave, claims the Daily Mail.

In terms of potential signings, Liverpool have been in touch with Moussa Sissoko to discuss personal terms ahead of a possible transfer, according to Le10 Sport.

The Frenchman recently stated his desire to play for a team in the Premier League who can offer Champions League football or a “high-level” club abroad which would seemingly damage Liverpool’s prospects. Nonetheless, the Reds appear undeterred and are allegedly close to submitting a formal bid.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Show all 9

1/9Liverpool summer transfer targets

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Naby Keita

A difficult signing to pull off, but one that Liverpool are interested in making. Keita's dynamic performances in the centre of RB Leipzig's midfield have caught Klopp's eye, but also the attention of Bayern Munich, who are also monitoring the player.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Timo Werner

Werner scored 21 goals in the Bundesliga last season as his goals fired RB Leipzig to second place and a first-ever Champions League qualification. The German club are keen to keep him but money talks and Liverpool are desperate for an out-and-out goalscorer.

Bongarts/Getty Images

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Dusan Tadic

The Southampton attacker is out of favour on the south coast and desperate for a way out of the club. Liverpool are interested in him to provide competition and back-up to the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana with the added strain of European football.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Andrew Robertson

Given Hull's relegation to the Championship, Robertson is one of the players in the shop window. Left-backs are at the forefront of Klopp's transfer activity and Robertson will come fairly cheap.

Getty

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Somewhat surprising reports have arisen over recent weeks that Chamberlain will be a Liverpool player next season. A disappointing season for Arsenal has left their squad in disarray, and it is thought that the 23 year-old midfielder is seeking a new challenge. The player’s versatility across midfield positions is an appealing to Klopp, who will need added squad depth. Arsenal will not be keen to sell to a rival, but if the rumours are to be believed, Chamberlain has his heart set on the Merseyside club and a £35 million transfer could well be on the cards.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Douglas Costa

The 26 year old Brazilian winger has gained plaudits for his performances at the German champions, yet the player stated earlier in the season that he is ‘not that happy’, presumably at missing out to Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben regularly. He would cost upwards of £25 million and have plenty of suitors, meaning Liverpool are simply one of many clubs he could choose from, although he did recently ‘like’ a tweet from a Liverpool fan about the possibility of him joining the club. There is also a chance that Costa is happy in Munich but is seeking an improved deal, which would come as no real surprise.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Ryan Sessegnon

Sessegnon is a long-term option at left-back for Liverpool with the 17-year-old lighting up the Championship with Fulham. With only Alberto Moreno, who is expected to leave, and James Milner available in that position, Klopp wants to bring in at least two. He faces competition from Manchester United and Tottenham though.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The most speculative target on the list is Gabon forward Aubameyang, who became a household name under Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund. Constant questions over his future are expected to culminate in a move this summer, and while his former boss will no doubt be interested, European giants Real Madrid are circling and thought to be his preferred destination. While the versatile Roberto Firmino has had a good season deployed as Liverpool’s first choice striker and Divock Origi a promising talent, they still lack a world class centre forward like Aubameyang. Dortmund CEO Hanz-Joachim Watzke stated earlier this year that the striker, who has three years to run on his contract, would only leave ‘for an outrageous fee’.

Liverpool summer transfer targets

Jonas Hector

A player Klopp will know well, the 26 year-old is thought to be a serious option with the manager unconvinced by Alberto Moreno. James Milner has deputised brilliantly this season but an out-and-out left back is a priority for the summer. Hector has earned 27 caps for Germany since 2014 and is known for his excellent positional understanding and for putting in accurate crosses. It is thought he would cost in excess of £20 million, which could be well worth it for a good player approaching his prime years.

United are also believed to be ready to rival Manchester City for the signing of Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci, the Manchester Evening News reports. Mourinho is keen to strengthen his defence with another experienced centre-back and has allegedly identified Bonucci as the ideal candidate.

The Italian has been valued at £50m but with Pogba’s departure from Juventus looking imminent, both United and City would face a considerable challenge in prising Bonucci away from the Serie A champions.

Chelsea and Everton are set to step up their pursuit of Kalidou Koulibaly after his agent revealed he fully intends to leave Napoli this summer, talkSPORT believes.

Summer 2016 Transfer Window - Done deals and rumours

The Italian side are trying to tie Koulibaly down to a new contract but the centre-back’s agent, Bruno Satin, insists his client has already made up his mind.

He told Radio CRC: "The desire of the player is still to leave, not to renew, also because the signals from the club are not a motivation for the player."

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