As many as four new players might join Liverpool before the transfer market closes on September 1 as the Reds prepare to make a number of late-summer splurges.
Despite adding excellent players in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the Merseysiders have had a difficult time in the summer market thus far. In fact, a lot of departures from their midfield have left Jurgen Klopp short-handed and forced to move around a bit to find reinforcements.
His annoyance will have grown as of late after seeing significant offers for two key targets, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, ultimately come to naught. The Reds were prepared to break the British transfer record for the Ecuadorian great, but Chelsea outbid them with a startling £115 million offer.
However, that was dwarfed by their failure to sign Lavia, whom they had been pursuing for several weeks before Chelsea ultimately sabotaged that deal as well. To that end, this article explains why a puzzled Lavia decided to leave the Reds and sign with the Blues.
Liverpool, however, cannot afford to focus on those missed opportunities for too long. The losses of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, and Arthur Melo have left a midfield hole that has been exacerbated by the sales of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
As a result, a report on Wednesday indicated that good news for Klopp was on the horizon with a deal for Wataru Endo of Stuttgart drawing near. The Japanese holding midfielder, who is expected to cost over €18 million, will have a medical with the Reds on Thursday.
He won’t be their only new hire, either, as preparations are moving forward for up to three further signings.
Klopp’s annoyance is allayed when Lavia’s replacement agrees to join Liverpool; negotiations for a move worth more than £50 million advance.
Klopp wants Liverpool to add two more midfielders.
The Liverpool Echo reports that Klopp is anticipating an exciting conclusion to the transfer window. And with a deal for Endo nearing completion, the Reds manager wants to bring in two more midfielders this summer.
However, given the interest in Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure, the next man in the door might very well be a Premier League player.
He was once again mentioned on Wednesday as a top target for Klopp amid rumors that a move worth more than £50 million is being discussed.
There is also hope that the midfielder’s deal would happen swiftly after Endo’s because he apparently expressed a desire to transfer.
Klopp will still be hoping to recruit another player after he signs, but much will rely on funds and the requirements of selling teams. It seems improbable that Liverpool would be able to afford a deal for Palhinha in addition to Doucoure because of this.
Due to Fulham’s high demands, Klopp still has an interest in Joao Palhinha, but Ryan Gravenberch and Sofyan Amrabat are more practical alternatives.
The 30-year-old is expected to be the Reds’ third recruit of the summer, so coming to personal terms with him shouldn’t be a problem eithe
Liverpool, though, views the Malian as the more advantageous acquisition because he is the younger player and has yet to achieve his potential.
In contrast, deals for Gravenberch or Amrabat would probably cost less than €30 million (£25 million), and they may possibly be pursued in addition to Endo and Doucoure.
Liverpool wants the sensational PSV Bakayoko, Johan
Meanwhile, Johan Bakayoko of PSV Eindhoven is apparently being watched by the Reds.
The 20-year-old had a fantastic debut season in the Eredivisie, making 39 games and tallying nine goals and six assists.
However, Football Insider claims that due to growing concerns about Mohamed Salah, Liverpool are the team most interested in signing Bakayoko.
The Saudi Pro-League, which already features players like Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho, has been heavily connected to the Egyptian star.
According to sources, Al-Ittihad is prepared to make Liverpool a bid of £60 million for the 31-year-old striker, who ranks fifth all-time among Liverpool’s leading scores.
Furthermore, there seems to be a growing concern at Anfield that Salah may be prepared to go given the eye-watering salaries worth £1.4 million a week on the table for him.
His play has caught the attention of teams like PSG, who are aiming to revamp their assault and have already given him a cap for Belgium at the senior international level.
If that happened, according to Football Insider, Liverpool has already designated Bakayoko as his eventual replacement. Similar to the Liverpool legend, Bakayoko plays as an inverted right winger, and many people in the Netherlands have already drawn comparisons between his approach and Salah’s.
Salah’s future has raised concerns, but Fabrizio Romano has downplayed reports that he would leave, saying that the Egyptian is still dedicated to the Merseysiders.
Meanwhile, Robbie Fowler is making every effort to keep Salah at Anfield.
