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Liverpool to battle Manchester United for £87m winger, Zinedine Zidane's next job agreed - Paper Round
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Published 21/02/2026 at 23:00 GMT
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Liverpool will face competition from Manchester United for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, while there could be three goalkeepers leaving Old Trafford in the summer. Elsewhere, former Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has reportedly agreed to take over the France national team, while Chelsea, Manchester City and more are keen on a Brazilian wonderkid.
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Liverpool face Diomande battle
The Daily Star reports that Manchester United and Liverpool are both keen on signing Yan Diomande.
The 19-year-old winger is one of the brightest young stars in Europe and it could take £87 million to prise him from RB Leipzig.
The paper reports: "Liverpool persistently find themselves linked with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
"The 19-year-old has reportedly been scouted frequently this season with Liverpool's top brass, including chief executive of football Michael Edwards and chief scout Barry Hunter, keeping a close watch on the young talent.
"Diomande has contributed to 15 goals from 25 appearances this season. Numerous reports surfacing this week have suggested that the Reds are keen to compete for the Ivory Coast star's signature, with Manchester United also reportedly interested."
Zidane set for France role
Manchester United and Juventus will miss out on the chance to bring Zinedine Zidane in as head coach this summer.
The former Real Madrid boss has reportedly agreed a deal to replace Didier Deschamps as France head coach after the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The Mirror states: "Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to become the new manager of France after the World Cup. The legendary former midfielder has been out of work since 2021, having left Real Madrid for a second time.
"In the four-and-a-half years since, Zidane has been linked with a number of roles including at Manchester United and another of his former clubs Juventus. But it appears that his return to the dugout could potentially come on the international stage.
"According to reports in Italy, Zidane has reached a verbal agreement to take control of the French national team after this summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Compatriot Didier Deschamps is currently in charge albeit his contract is due to expire following the conclusion of the tournament."
Prem sides chase Brazil wonderkid
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are all tracking 16-year-old Brazilian sensation Gabriel Veneno.
The youngster currently plays for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil and Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Internazionale are all credited with an interest.
The Sun claims: "Manchester United are reportedly leading the race for a Brazilian prodigy who scored 80 goals in 2025.
"Gabriel Veneno, 16, is on the books currently at Atletico Mineiro and is grabbing the headlines and is fast becoming one of the hottest topics in his homeland.
"At just 16, he can’t make the move to Europe for two years yet until he reaches 18 as per FIFA rules.
"But that hasn’t stopped some of the biggest clubs in the world from looking to get a jump start on any potential move.
"Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, PSG, Monaco and Inter Milan are also claimed to have all made enquiries."
United set for goalkeeper upheaval
Tom Heaton, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir could all leave Manchester United in the summer, giving Radek Vitek a chance to step up.
Heaton’s contract is up at the end of the season, Onana appears unlikely to regain his place after a loan at Trabzonspor, and Altay Bayindir is only back-up to Senne Lammens at present.
The Athletic explains: "So far, Vitek has made 27 starts in the league and went viral last month for a save of the season contender away at Ipswich, which we mentioned in this column. Vitek has spoken of his ambition to return to United in the summer to compete for a place in the first team squad, and a strong end to the campaign could force the issue.
"Lammens’ future is secure, but with Onana’s loan spell at Trabzonspor coming to an end, doubts over Altay Bayindir’s future, and Tom Heaton’s contract ending in June, there could well be a space for the 22-year-old Czech.
"Vitek’s only first-team action before this campaign was in the Austrian Bundesliga on loan at Blau Weiss-Linz and in League Two with Accrington Stanley the year before that. He’s yet to make a senior squad for the national team or even the under-21s, so the club will need to make a judgment if he is experienced enough yet to compete with Lammens."
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