Klopp exit talk 'nonsense' - Friday's gossip

Red Bull have moved to quash any suggestion that Jurgen Klopp is preparing to walk away from his recently appointed role as head of global soccer, branding the speculation “complete nonsense and totally unfounded.” Chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff delivered the blunt rebuttal to Sky Sports Germany after stories surfaced linking the former Liverpool manager with an early exit from the energy-drink conglomerate.

While Klopp’s future has been clarified, the rumour mill continues to spin on several high-profile transfer fronts. Chelsea remain in pole position to prise 23-year-old Brazilian centre-back Murillo away from Nottingham Forest, although Liverpool are still firmly in the race, according to Teamtalk.

Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, 26, has set his sights on a summer move to Barcelona once his contract expires, yet Tottenham and Chelsea are refusing to abandon hope of hijacking the deal.

Atalanta’s 18-year-old Nigerian left-back Honest Ahanor is attracting Premier League attention, with Arsenal and Manchester City weighing up £30 million offers; Chelsea have also registered their interest via Caught Offside.

Liverpool and Manchester United have balked at Wolves’ £50 million valuation of teenage midfielder Mateus Mane, deeming the England youth international too raw for such a premium, Football Insider reports.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United are scouring the market for a long-term successor to England keeper Nick Pope. Brightons 23-year-old Dutch stopper Bart Verbruggen and Manchesters Citys James Trafford, also 23, have been shortlisted, while Union Saint-Gilloise winger Anan Khalaili, 21, is another name on the Magpies radar after three Champions League goals this season.

Bayern Munich will not be converting Nicolas Jacksons loan into a permanent arrangement, meaning the 24-year-old Senegal forward is poised to return to Chelsea. In Saudi Arabia, former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, 29, insists he is targeting trophies with Al-Ahli but has not ruled out a future Premier League comeback.

Liverpool academy winger Trent Kone-Doherty, 19, could be heading to Norways Molde despite being offered a new deal at Anfield, and Galatasaray will owe Napoli up to £60 million if they sell Victor Osimhen, 27, to any Italian club following the strikers loan switch.