Football gossip: Haaland, Guehi, Branthwaite, Kabar, Mokio, Wharton

Barcelona are optimistic about signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Liverpool will face competition from City for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, and Everton to rebuff any interest in centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.

Signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has become an obsession for Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who is confident the Norway international, 25, will join the La Liga club in the future. (El Nacional – in Spanish), external

Manchester City are set to rival Liverpool for the free transfer signing of 25-year-old England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi next summer, when his contract is due to expire. (Mirror), external

Brentford have expressed interest in Borussia Dortmund’s 19-year-old German full-back Almugera Kabar. (Bild – in German, subscription required), external

Everton will rebuff any approaches for England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite in 2026 with the 23-year-old part of a long-term project at the club. (Talksport), external

Scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all been watching Ajax’s 17-year-old Belgian midfielder Jorthy Mokio. (Caughtoffside), external

Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 21, is keen to sign for Liverpool despite interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external

Benfica presidential candidate Cristovao Carvalho says he will sack coach Bruno Lage and try to persuade former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to replace him should he be elected next month. (Sportbild – in German), external

Another Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes wants to bring Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim back to the Lisbon club, where he spent nine years as a player. (Times – subscription required), external