After completing the acquisition of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool is reportedly planning to make moves for two other midfielders.
After being granted permission to undertake a physical with Jurgen Klopp’s team, the Reds are anticipated to finalize a £45 million deal for the Argentina international within the next 48 hours.
Mac Allister has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract at Anfield, and once he signs the contract on Wednesday, he will be formally introduced as a Liverpool player.
The 24-year-old will become Liverpool’s first signing of the summer window, but Klopp will still be facing a midfield deficit following the exits of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner.
Arthur’s loan deal from Juventus was not converted into a permanent move either, while Roberto Firmino – who was capable of playing as a number 10 – has also departed on a free transfer.
Furthermore, there are doubts over the long-term future of Thiago Alcantara, who could supposedly be allowed to leave when his contract expires at the end of next season.
Portuguese protege Fabio Carvalho is also thought to be the subject of interest from RB Leipzig, and while the Reds are not willing to sanction a permanent move, he could be allowed to leave on loan.
As a result, the Daily Mail claims that Liverpool want to sign another two midfielders before the start of the 2023-24 season, having ultimately opted against moving for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
The Reds were long considered the favourites to bring the England international back to his homeland, but the Anfield hierarchy pulled the plug on a deal due to his £130m price tag.
With Bellingham now expected to head for Real Madrid, Liverpool are working to bring at least three cheaper alternatives to Merseyside, where Jorg Schmadtke has now begun work as the club’s new sporting director.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone and Nice’s Khephren Thuram are believed to be on Klopp’s shortlist, and talks are apparently underway over a move for the latter.
Furthermore, with Schmadtke’s son Nils Schmadtke working for Monchengladbach as a recruitment consultant, Liverpool may find it easier to engineer a move for Kone.
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia has also been tipped to leave the Saints following their relegation from the Premier League, but Chelsea will be expected to battle Liverpool for the ex-Manchester City youngster.
A move for Barcelona’s Franck Kessie has been mooted in recent days, although the La Liga champions are not thought to have any intentions of selling the Ivorian, who only joined on a free transfer from AC Milan last year.
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