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Thursday's papers: Kalidou Koulibaly, Kai Havertz, Gareth Bale

Thursday's papers: Kalidou Koulibaly, Kai Havertz, Gareth Bale
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A price drop could see Kalidou Koulibaly bring his defensive strengths to Anfield.

What the papers say

Previous valuations of 29-year-old Kalidou Koulibaly had him at £80 million but Manchester City have been offered him for just £65m. The Daily Mirror says Napoli have revised the price for the Senegal defender, with City keen for him to be in a centre-half partnering with Aymeric Laporte.

Southampton are worried one of their Premier League rivals will snatch Kyle Walker-Peters so want to secure his permanent signing soon, reports The Sun. The right-back has impressed since joining the Saints from Tottenham in January, though the deal does not allow Southampton the automatic right to buy the 23-year-old and interest in him continues to grow.

Chelsea v Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League – Round of 16 – First Leg – Stamford Bridge
Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara could be staying in red (Mike Egerton/PA)

A price has been set for Liverpool target Thiago Alcantara, according to the Daily Mirror which cites Germany’s Sport Bild. Bayern Munich want £36.2m for their former Barcelona midfielder, while there have also been reports he has agreed personal terms with the Reds. Liverpool do not, however, want to pay more than £18.1m for the 29-year-old Spain international.

Chelsea have been given a boost to their chances of signing Kai Havertz after Bayern Munich indicated they were no longer interested in the 21-year-old. The Daily Mail cites Sport Bild in reporting the Bundesliga side have moved on from the young midfielder, believing his Bayer Leverkusen release clause of £90m is too expensive.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Douglas Luiz: Pep Guardiola will bring Aston Villa’s Brazilian midfielder, 22, back to Manchester City, according to the Birmingham Mail.

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Enjoying every last session 💪🏻 #YNWA❤️

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Adam Lallana: Leicester, Brighton and Burnley are all keen on the 32-year midfielder who leaves Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, reports the Daily Star.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


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