Millwall chase £2.5m-rated striker to aid promotion charge as Clark’s Derby return lifts Liverpool
Liverpool ready to capitalise on Newcastle’s attacking ambitions
Liverpool are poised to exploit Newcastle United’s transfer frustrations once again, with the Merseyside club monitoring the Magpies’ attacking targets while pursuing their own priority moves. After snatching Spain winger Victor Munoz from Newcastle last week by triggering his £34.6m buy-out clause at Osasuna, Liverpool are waiting in the wings should Newcastle fail to land their primary targets – RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande or Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.
Newcastle’s attacking plans under scrutiny
Newcastle United have been showing interest in Cologne winger Said El Mala and have maintained contact with Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo. However, their Premier League rivals Liverpool are understood to be ready to intervene if Newcastle cannot secure Diomande or Barcola – a pattern that echoes the Munoz deal. Liverpool are said to have made an offer of €100 million (£86.7 million) for Diomande, which was rejected, with Leipzig reportedly holding out for a fee significantly above that figure, potentially approaching the German top flight’s transfer record. Personal terms have reportedly been agreed with the 19-year-old, who is said to be tempted to leave Leipzig, and Liverpool view him as a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. Separately, Liverpool have made a fresh approach for PSG forward Bradley Barcola, who is reported to be open to a move. Arsenal are also interested, with reports of a prepared €80 million (£69 million) bid, while PSG are seeking around €100 million (£86 million) for the 23-year-old whose contract expires in 2028 and whose contract negotiations have stalled. Barcola scored in France’s World Cup opener and joined PSG from Lyon in 2023 for a reported €45 million.
Bristol City secure Sam Greenwood from Poland
Bristol City have agreed a £2 million deal to sign attacking midfielder Sam Greenwood from Polish side Pogon Szczecin. The 24-year-old, who left Leeds United as a free agent last summer, joined Pogon on a three-year contract with an option for a further year – a move that at the time made him the club’s most expensive signing, costing between €1.8 million and €2 million. Blackburn Rovers had a £1 million bid rejected for Greenwood, and Wrexham were also reported to be interested. Bristol City had targeted Greenwood in January. He has previously had loan spells at Middlesbrough and Preston North End, and has represented England at various youth levels including U21. While Pogon’s sporting director confirmed offers were received and the club initially viewed him as a young leader not for sale, reports indicate Greenwood wishes to leave.
Bobby Clark returns to Derby County in permanent deal
Derby County have completed the permanent signing of midfielder Bobby Clark from RB Salzburg for a fee reported to be around £7 million, plus add-ons. The 21-year-old has signed a four-year contract after spending last season on loan at Pride Park, where he made 45 appearances, scoring four goals and providing four assists – a tally of eight goals and assists that helped him become a firm fans’ favourite. Clark won Derby’s Sammy Crooks Young Player of the Season award and was nominated for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award. The deal triggers a sell-on clause that benefits his former club Liverpool, who will receive 17.5 per cent of the transfer fee. That sell-on clause originated from Clark’s move from Liverpool to RB Salzburg in August 2024, when Liverpool sold him for an estimated £10 million with the same 17.5 per cent clause attached. Clark had initially joined Liverpool’s academy from Newcastle United in 2021 for a fee believed to be around £1.5 million.
Reflecting on his decision, Clark said: “It’s a big decision because I want to obviously reach my potential. I need to pick my next step carefully and this club definitely suits me the best – and the manager gave us the trust last season and gave me the minutes I needed to take the next step and find my form in the Championship. I think being at Derby, I’ll just get better and better.” He added: “Since it’s been closer to getting done he’s just had really good positive conversations with us, he knows he can be the manager that helps me reach my potential and helps me grow as a player.”
Millwall target Tairyk Arconte as promotion push intensifies
Millwall are in talks to sign Rodez forward Tairyk Arconte, who has also been on Celtic’s list. The 22-year-old Guadeloupe international scored 14 goals in 32 appearances in the French second division last season after joining Rodez permanently in 2025 following an initial loan in 2023. Arconte can play as a forward or on the right wing, and the transfer is expected to cost around £2.5 million. Millwall are determined to bring in extra pace and firepower to help take the next step in their promotion bid – they reached the play-offs last season but lost in the semi-finals to Hull City. The club had made an approach for Hull City’s Kyle Joseph, but he is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the play-off semi-final against Millwall. Joseph faces approximately 10 weeks out and will miss the Championship play-off final, though he is expected to be fit by the end of pre-season or the start of the next campaign. He joined Hull in January 2025 for a £2.5 million deal.
