Manchester City eye replacements for Kevin De Bruyne, Liverpool close to Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah contract extensions - Paper Round
ByTNT Sports
Updated 09/04/2025 at 14:33 GMT+1
Manchester City are considering signing Morgan Gibbs-White or Florian Wirtz in order to replace outgoing playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, while Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez is being linked with a loan to sister club Strasbourg. Elsewhere, Liverpool are closing in on new contracts for both Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, while Southampton have three names in the frame to replace Ivan Juric.
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City target duo to replace De Bruyne
Manchester City are weighing up bids for Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest or Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.
The Athletic believes Pep Guardiola is keen to find a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who will leave in the summer.
The website explains: "Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz are among the options Manchester City will consider to replace captain Kevin De Bruyne this summer.
"City playmaker De Bruyne announced last Friday that he is to depart City when this season ends after 10 years at the Etihad Stadium.
"Internal and external solutions are set to be explored as City go about filling the 33-year-old Belgium international’s void, with multiple candidates including Gibbs-White and Wirtz expected to feature in the club’s deliberations.
"City do not intend to prioritise transfer targets until new director of football Hugo Viana gets fully under way in his role. Viana is replacing Txiki Begiristain and officially started this week, the pair working together during a transition period."
Paez already facing loan spell
The Evening Standard claims that Chelsea’s incoming youngster Kendry Paez could already be on his way out of the club.
The 17-year-old will join when he turns 18, but may first be loaned to Chelsea’s French sister club Strasbourg.
The paper states: "Kendry Paez has been pictured training with Strasbourg ahead of his summer move to Chelsea.
"Chelsea signed Paez, 17, in June 2023 for a reported £17.27 million, with the player set to join the club after his 18th birthday. Currently plying his trade for Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, Paez has established himself as one of the highest-rated talents in world football.
"Now, ahead of his summer move to west London, he is training with Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg as the Blues hope to help him adjust to life in Europe. Strasbourg were bought by Blue Co in June 2023, a move which saw the club become a regular loan destination for Chelsea squad players and young hopefuls.
"It is unclear for how long Paez will train with Strasbourg, though French outlet L’Equipe reports that manager Liam Rosenior is evaluating the player ahead of a potential loan move next season."
Liverpool close in on key transfer renewals
Both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk could extend their stays at Anfield, with Liverpool reportedly close to sealing contract extensions.
Reports in America suggest that the veteran duo are now looking likely to renew their deals rather than leave for free this summer.
The Mirror reports: "Liverpool are close to finalising contract extensions for both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. The pair are both out of contract at the end of the season and would leave a huge hole if they were to leave.
"However, it appears as though both Salah and Van Dijk are set to remain at Anfield in what will come as a huge boost to Liverpool and manager Arne Slot. The pair have played a key role in Liverpool's Premier League title bid this season, with Salah netting 27 goals in 31 games and Van Dijk starting every single match.
"Liverpool are 'confident' that the duo will sign new deals, according to NBC, and that it is 'more a case of when rather than if that is going to happen'. It comes after Van Dijk revealed that there had been ‘progress’ in the negotiations."
Southampton eye Juric replacement
After sacking Ivan Juric, Southampton have identified three managers to step in as they prepare for the Championship.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl is favourite, followed by Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg, along with another unnamed candidate.
The Sun writes: "Southampton have cut their shortlist of new managers to three after axing Ivan Juric.
"The relegated Saints brought forward Juric's break-clause from the summer after their drop to the Championship was confirmed at Tottenham on Sunday.
"As revealed by SunSport last month, Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl remains the leading candidate to take over at St. Mary's next season.
"Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 40, is an ambitious candidate.
"The third candidate is currently unknown, though there has become a focus on appointing a manager with experience of English football after the failed Juric experiment."
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