FOOTBALL WHISPERS

NABY KEITA will not be joining Liverpool this month, despite the club opening talks with RB Leipzig to bring forward his summer transfer. Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick said: ‘It would only have been possible to reach a mutual agreement if an exorbitant additional fee was involved. That was not the case.’ Liverpool have also learned Monaco want £90m for winger Thomas Lemar, 22.

ARSENAL will hold further talks with Bordeaux over the £40m transfer of Brazilian winger Malcom. The 20-year-old’s

agents were in London on Friday to discuss his future.

MANCHESTER CITY are keen on Lille’s Boubakary Soumare. The midfielder, 18, joined from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and has impressed. Lille are under financial pressure and may be forced to sell.

CRYSTAL PALACE have stepped up their interest in Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar. The 24-year-old (right) has been on the club’s radar for a year but, with a proposed move for West Ham’s Diafra Sakho stalling, Palace are pushing for a deal worth around £15million.

NEWCASTLE UNITED have held further talks over a loan deal for Sparta Prague goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. The 28-year-old starred for Slovakia in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

MARSEILLE are ready to rival Rangers for West Brom striker Tyler Roberts, 19. He has been on loan at League One Walsall and is out of contract in the summer.

BRENTFORD are braced for offers for attacking midfielder Romaine Sawyers, 26, who has been in excellent form this season, scoring five goals.

DERBY COUNTY have enquired about Norwich striker Cameron Jerome. Nelson Oliveira has been linked, too, but boss Gary Rowett believes Jerome could represent better value at £2m.

LIVERPOOL target Manuel Akanji is poised to join Borussia Dortmund for £20million.