KLOPP AND ROBBERS
Wyness banned PREMIER LEAGUE Kop boss priced out of transfer market
® ASTON VILLA chief executive Keith Wyness has been suspended from all football-related activity for three weeks by the FA over a social media gaffe.
The 59-year-old retweeted footage of Villa being denied a penalty during the final game of the season against Brighton, which had a caption asking if referees had “disabilities”.
He admitted an FA charge that the comment was ‘‘abusive and/or insulting and/or improper’’. He was also fined £10,000.
Wyness said: “It was a genuine mistake and as soon as it was brought to my attention I realised my error and acted immediately. I saw the video not the comment attached.” ®
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp is counting the cost of a place in next season’s Champions League.
The Reds are being quoted £40m by Roma for former Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah – around £15m more than Liverpool’s valuation.
Klopp has at least £100m to spend this summer after leading the club to a top-four finish – and a place in Europe’s top competition for just the second time in eight years.
But selling clubs are also fully aware of the fact that Liverpool brought in nearly £150m last season from Premier League prize money and TV cash alone.
Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita was thought to be available for around £20m but his valuation has soared to £50m.
Meanwhile, Southampton have started an unofficial auction for defender Virgil van Dijk, with Liverpool competing against Chelsea and Manchester City.
The Saints are understood to be looking for far in excess of the £50m City paid Everton for John Stones.
Liverpool have also been linked with teenage Fulham defender Ryan Sessegnon, Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka.
But Klopp’s summer rebuilding plans could hinge on Van Dijk and a big chunk of his war chest could yet go on the Dutchman.
Klopp hopes to boost his kitty to around £150m by offloading surplus players and is holding out for £30m for defender Mamadou Sakho.
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Ian Rush pointed out one of the benefits of the Champions League will be in the battle to keep hold of superstar Philippe Coutinho, who has been linked with Barcelona.
Rush said: “Coutinho wants to play in the Champions League and Liverpool will give him that chance.”