Al-Ittihad revive Salah interest – Thursday’s gossip

Al-Ittihad rekindle their efforts to sign Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye is among the players being considered by Manchester United, and Barcelona line-up up a move for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni.

Al-Ittihad had a £150m offer rejected for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in 2023 but the Saudi Pro League side have revived their interest in the 33-year-old Egypt international, who will be available on a free transfer after leaving the Reds in the summer. (ESPN)

Salah did not get the interest in his services he might have hoped for in the January transfer window and, in negotiating his departure this summer, Liverpool‘s owners – Fenway Sports Group – thought holding out for a fee would make a difficult situation worse. (Telegraph – subscription required)

Liverpool have been in regular contact with former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, who won the Champions League with the Anfield club as a player, and the Spaniard would be willing to take over from Arne Slot in the summer if certain conditions are met. (Bild – in German)

Liverpool have been linked with replacing Salah with France winger Michael Olise but Bayern Munich are “relaxed” about the 24-year-old’s future as he is under contract until 2029 and does not have a release clause. (Sport Bild – in German)

Manchester United are looking at 19-year-old RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, Newcastle United and England defender Lewis Hall, 21, and Everton and Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye, 26, as they prepare for a likely return to European competition. (Sky Sports)

Manchester United and Brazil midfielder Casemiro, who is leaving the club in the summer, agreed in January to remove a clause in his contract which would have triggered a one-year extension if the 34-year-old made 35 starts this season. (Manchester Evening News)

Manchester United are confident they can find other clubs to buy England international Marcus Rashford, 28, if Barcelona opt not to turn his loan into a permanent move for £26m. (ESPN)

Barcelona are keen on Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni but could face competition from Liverpool in any contest for the 26-year-old’s signature. (Football Italia)

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has the backing of the club, despite some unrest among fans following their Champions League exit to Barcelona and a defeat by rivals Sunderland. (Times – subscription required)

Brazil winger Vinicius Jr says he is only thinking about staying at Real Madrid for a “long time”, with the 25-year-old set to sign a contract extension. (Sport – in Spanish)

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo, 24, says he has no intention of leaving the club after the Ecuador international was linked with Real Madrid. (El Chiringuito TV, via Standard)