Football rumours from the media

What the papers say

Liverpool are set to target Uruguay forward Maxi Gomez, according to The Sun. The paper says former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has told friends at Anfield that his international team-mate is the real deal. The Celta Vigo player is also wanted by Chelsea in a £35million summer deal, the paper adds.

Arsenal are reportedly looking at Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico or Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney as a replacement for Nacho Monreal if he leaves for Barcelona in the summer. The Daily Mirror reports that the Gunners would face tough competition for Tagliafico, with Atletico and Real Madrid also believed to be monitoring him. Barcelona are said to be targeting Monreal as back-up for Jordi Alba.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is reportedly set to break Manchester City's transfer record to land Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara. The Daily Mirror reports that the City boss, who worked with Alcantara in both Germany and Spain, sees the 27-year-old as a long-term option to replace Fernandinho. But it could cost more than the club-record £60million paid for Riyad Mahrez last year for City to have any chance of landing the Spain international, the paper adds.

Manchester United are preparing to launch a £155million bid for Benfica stars Ruben Dias and Joao Felix, the Daily Mirror claims. United are understood to have held discussions about £90million-rated forward Felix, while scouts have been sent to watch £65million defender Dias, the paper says. Italian giants Juventus are also said to be interested in the pair.

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Players to watch

Yannick Carrasco: Arsenal are still interested in signing the Belgium international following their failed January deadline-day bid, the Daily Express reports, as the 25-year-old looks to return to Europe in the summer. But the Gunners could face competition from Inter and AC Milan.

Mauro Icardi: Manchester United are set to land the Inter Milan striker in exchange for Romelu Lukaku, The Sun claims. The Serie A giants have been long-term admirers of Lukaku and are set to give up former captain Icardi in a swap deal, the paper says.

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