Liverpool consider £51m move for former Everton star as Marseille reach agreement with ex-Brighton man

Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign former Everton winger Ademola Lookman after he played in a lead role in an historic season with Atalanta.

The 26-year-old endured something of an underwhelming career prior to his move to Serie A after struggling to gain momentum during loan spells with RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City following a £5m move to Everton during the summer of 2017. However, that all changed in August 2022 when a £6.5m switch to Atalanta changed Lookman’s fortunes and set him on his way to the most successful spell in his career.

The 23-times capped Nigeria international has scored 32 goals and provided 18 assists in 78 appearances in all competitions over the last two seasons - and he hit a real high point when he plundered his way to a hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 Europa League Final win against Bayer Leverkusen last month. Despite that win ensuring Atalanta will compete in the Champions League during the coming season, Lookman could leave the Serie A club if a £51m offer is submitted and Spanish outlet Fichajes have reported Manchester United and Chelsea are willing to make a big for the winger. However, it is Liverpool that are the latest club to register an interest in taking Lookman back to Merseyside.

Former Seagulls boss has ‘agreement in principle’ with new club

Former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi is closing in on a new job just over a month after confirming his departure from the Amex Stadium.

The Italian boss worked wonders during his first season with the Seagulls as his side finished the campaign in sixth place in the Premier League and secured European qualification for the first time in their history. However, De Zerbi’s injury-hit side could only manage an eleventh placed finish last season and were knocked out of the Europa League by Italian side Roma in the round of 16. De Zerbi confirmed he would leave the Seagulls just days before the season-ending home game with Manchester United and brought down the curtain on his reign with a 2-0 defeat against the Red Devils.

Speaking to the BBC about his departure, he said: "There isn't any club - no one offered. At the moment, nothing. I hope to work in the Premier League again. I don't know where or when. But it was an honour to work in the Premier League. We didn’t find the agreement to move on. I want to keep my way. I know very well what I want to do and I know I am a coach and I have to accept the policies of the club.

“They gave me an incredible chance. They give me the possibility to know incredible people, to play and to work in the Premier League, to play in the Europa League. They gave me the opportunity to know this club, this city, these fans and for that I cannot forget."

Despite interest from a number of Premier League clubs, De Zerbi’s next step in management is set to take place in France after Marseille revealed they had an ‘agreement in principle’ with the former Brighton and Sassuolo manager. In a statement released on Monday night, the Ligue 1 club stated they are ‘working with all parties’ on the agreement and expect to ‘formalise the arrival’ of De Zerbi in the coming days.