DONE DEAL:Liverpool has Signed there long time ‘target’release clause to be triggered amid intriguing Jude Bellingham transfer 

Liverpool could be set to face disappointment in one apparent midfield transfer pursuit, with a rival suitor set to trigger a release clause.

Among the many names to be mentioned in the wake of Liverpool’s move to back away from Jude Bellingham is Manuel Ugarte of Sporting. He stands out among the linked midfielders as one of the more defensive options, offering the kind of bite which many would argue Jürgen Klopp’s side has been lacking this season.

However, it seems his skill-set is also appreciated at PSG, with L’Equipe claiming the French giant is now in ‘very advanced talks’ with Ugarte. Once terms are agreed, there will be no qualms in Paris about triggering his $64m (£52m/€60m) release clause.

READ MORE: Liverpool star pushes for Barcelona as Jude Bellingham sums up Man City transfer difference

READ MORE: Liverpool can forget Mason Mount as scouts just watched cheaper transfer alternative

Liverpool has shopped regularly in Portugal during recent transfer windows. It remains to be seen whether that trend continues following Julian Ward’s departure, with Jörg Schmadtke said to be arriving with a focus on the Bundesliga.

It’s worth noting that David Lynch has previously reported that Ugarte is not on Liverpool’s transfer radar, per Anfield Index.

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Liverpool still monitoring Bellingham situation

Admit it. You haven’t quite let go of that last scrap of Bellingham hope, have you? I certainly haven’t, having already played my cards in terms of just how much I’d love him at Liverpool.

With Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director confirming once again on Tuesday that a bid has still not been received (The Athletic), the continued radio silence is enough to at least raise the slightest of doubts in inquiring minds. Most likely is that Real Madrid is simply keeping a respectful distance as the German side chases down its first Bundesliga title in a decade. But until there is confirmation, hope springs eternal.

That fire has been stoked somewhat by Football Transfers, which has made the intriguing claim that Liverpool is still on the scene. ‘Some personnel’ supposedly think that the Reds are ready to pounce in the event that the Real Madrid transfer falls through, even though the Spanish giant remains the favorite.

Interestingly, the same report claimed that Liverpool was reluctant to get into a bidding war with Manchester United over Mason Mount, shortly before The Athletic confirmed that the Red Devils were in the hot-seat. A similar degree of accuracy on the Bellingham story would be a welcome development, even if it remains the longest of long shots.

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Mohamed Salah insists ‘no excuse’ for Liverpool missing out on Champions League

Mohamed Salah is devastated to miss out on Champions League qualification (Peter Byrne/PA)

By Carl Markham, PA

Today at 01:10

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah insists there can be no excuse for missing out on Champions League football.

The 30-year-old admits the team has failed and let fans down this season with a fifth-placed finish.

Manchester United’s 4-1 win over Chelsea means fourth place is now out of reach for last season’s beaten finalists.

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Jurgen Klopp’s side have underperformed all season and it was only their current 10-match unbeaten run – which included a sequence of seven victories – which gave them a remote chance of qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition.

But their participation in the Europa League, the first time Klopp has not made the top four in a full season at the club, has left Salah frustrated.

“I’m totally devastated. There’s absolutely no excuse for this,” the Egypt international, who rarely makes public statements, wrote in a strongly-worded post on Twitter.

“We had everything we needed to make it to next year’s Champions League and we failed.

“We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum.

“I am sorry but it’s too soon for an uplifting or optimistic post.

Mohamed Salah has scored 30 goals this season (PA)

“We let you and ourselves down.”

In a disappointing season Salah has still scored 30 goals and is only one away from becoming the first player in Premier League history to provide 20 goals and 10 assists in three seasons, which would surpass the record he shares with Thierry Henry.

He is one short of reaching 20 league goals in a season for the fifth time in six years at Liverpool (he scored 19 in the other) and if he manages to score at Southampton on Sunday he will become the first Liverpool player since Roger Hunt in 1965-66 to score 20 league goals for a third successive season.