Liverpool are interested in RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai (REUTERS)
It was a season to forget for Jurgen Klopp’s men after they struggled in the Premier League. Expectations were high for Liverpool last year but they failed to challenge for the title and even missed out on Champions League football entirely.
Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich with new signings Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez unable to replicate his relationship with Mo Salah until the back end of the season.
James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all left the club with Klopp focusing on midfield reinforcements during this window. World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister has signed from Brighton with the Reds targeting more players before the window closes.
Here are the latest news and transfer updates from Anfield:
Dominik Szoboszlai
Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has rocketed up Liverpool’s list for potential midfield reinforcements after the club met with his representatives. Newcastle United are also interested in the 22-year-old who has a €70m (£60m) release clause in his RB Leipzig contract which is understood to expire on June 30. Szoboszlai impressed in the most recent edition of the Nations League and his chance creation metrics and ball-carrying ability fit the profile Liverpool are after in midfield. No official offers have come in for him yet but, according to Sky Germany, a deal taking place after June 30 is ‘not off the table’. However, RB Leipzig would be in a position to negotiate a fee at this stage.
Federico Valverde
Potentially the most exciting name on this list is Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde. The Daily Mail says the Reds reportedly had a £51m bid for the Uruguayan rejected earlier this month though a potential deal for the midfielder could suit Los Blancos who are aware of the massive sum spent to secure Jude Bellingham and may need more cash to move for PSG’s Kylian Mbappe. Liverpool are reportedly preparing to submit a new proposal of around £77m according to Catalan outlet El Nacional. At just 24-years-old Valverde would bring a wealth of winning experience having already won two LaLiga titles and a Champions League trophy. His versatility across midfield is an asset that will appeal to Jurgen Klopp and 12 goals from the middle of the pitch this season is a bonus attribute.
Federico Chiesa
Gazzetta dello Sport report that Liverpool are keen to sign Juventus and Italy attacker Federico Chiesa. The Italian media outlet says that Chiesa does not have the best relationship with Juve boss Max Allegri and struggles to fit into his 3-5-2 formation. The 25-year-old is currently stuck in contract renewal talks but it appears a transfer away from Turin could be a real possibilty especially if a big Premier League club comes knocking. Enter Liverpool who are interested in the winger. Juventus want €60m for Chiesa though he is valued him at €40m by the Reds who are unwilling to go over that. The departure of Roberto Firmino has left a vacancy in Liverpool’s forward line but with Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota available as back-up the Reds won’t be convinced to spend more than they want to for Chiesa.
Fabio Carvalho
The young midfielder, Fabio Carvalho, is in Germany preparing to undergo a medical ahead of a season-long loan move to RB Leipzig. A deal was recently sanctioned by the Reds for the midfielder to leave on a temporary basis, with the Bundesliga chosen as his destination for the 2023/24 season. Carvalho is now one step closer to this deal becoming official as he gets ready to take part in routine medical tests, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Khephren Thuram
A player of interest to Liverpool, Thuram is currently in action for France at the under-21s European Championships alongside Manu Kone – another individual being heavily linked with an Anfield switch. Nice are said to be seeking £35m for the 22-year-old, who would bring some much-needed physically to the midfield.
