The summer transfer window opens this week and with Liverpool already acquiring the services of Alexis Mac Allister, the rumour mill continues in overdrive.
On Friday, the World Cup winner became Jurgen Klopp's first summer signing as they look to add options following the departures of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita who leave as free agents after the expiry of their contracts at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp confirmed before the end of the season that they are exploring options across the pitch, apart from goalkeeper, but the ECHO understands the strikeforce is likely to be untouched too.
The clamour for Liverpool additions continues with the Reds being linked with many midfielders from across Europe. As well as this, defenders are also being linked with Benjamin Pavard joining Micky van de Ven as possible candidates through the door at Anfield.
Yesterday, Southampton star James Ward-Prowse was mooted with a move to Merseyside following the Saints relegation to the Championship. Their fate was sealed in the weeks building up to the curtain coming down on the Premier League season in a torrid campaign for the St Mary's side with the England international one of the shining beacons.
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Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram
Liverpool have opened preliminary talks with Borussia Monchengladbach and OGC Nice for Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram, according to Football Insider and Sky Sports.
The French duo are currently on international duty with Les Bleus but the speculation continues to swirl over their futures. It has been claimed that the Reds are laying the groundwork to sign the two highly-rated midfielders.
The talks have been formulated so that the Reds can "ascertain the fee and wage packages" that can lure the pair to Anfield. Both players have two years remaining on their deals (2025) and fit the profile of Jurgen Klopp's targets with the midfield overhaul continuing.
A 'key recruitment source' told Football Insider that Kone could cost in the region of £35m, the fee rumoured to have brought Mac Allister to Anfield, but the son of iconic France defender Lilian would cost more.
The ECHO understands both players remain on the Reds' shortlist as they continue to work on strengthening their midfield.
Adrien Rabiot
Adrien Rabiot was previously linked with Liverpool in the months leading to the conclusion of the Premier League campaign. The France midfielder is out of contract with Juventus this summer but reports in Italy are suggesting that the club are looking to keep him in Turin for another year.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, there is hope that he will extend at the Juventus Stadium this summer and continue his time with the Serie A giants. Although it has been said with the lack of Champions League it won't be easy to keep him in Turin.
There are cost-cutting procedures ongoing at Juventus with Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes already out of the door. Dusan Vlahovic faces an uncertain future and is among the highest paid at the Serie A club but it has been said that on no condition will he accept reduced terms.
Premier League clubs are reportedly interested with Manchester United credited in the article with an eye on him. Liverpool have been mooted but it is mere speculation as their midfield overhaul continues.
The Red Devils have been chasing him since last summer and could offer him a four-year deal plus a bonus for his mother and agent, Veronique.
Goncalo Inacio
Defensive options remain on the radar for Liverpool this summer with speculation surrounding the futures of Joel Matip and Joe Gomez. One defender who has been mooted with a move to the Reds is Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio.
Reports in Portugal yesterday said that talks were ongoing to keep the Portuguese defender within the ranks of the club. However, O Jogo have reported that both Liverpool and Manchester United are targeting the central defender with a €45m (£38m) release clause included in his current deal.
The hope in Lisbon is to extend his deal and increase the clause to €60m (£51m) as clubs circulate. However, the outlet has reported that those talks have been 'frozen' and while the player would be happy to sign along the dotted line, he would jump at the chance of moving to the English top-flight.
“Until the beginning of the work, Inácio and his representatives will assess potential interested parties, knowing that the transfer market may accelerate soon," the report says.
“Newcastle’s poll in the past did not arouse much interest in the player, PSG plans to reformulate other positions before the axis, making attention centered on the main English clubs: both Manchester United and Liverpool."
Federico Chiesa
Italian media outlets are ramping up their coverage over the future at Federico Chiesa with Liverpool among the clubs reportedly interested. Calciomercato Web have reported that the Reds believe €35m is enough to bring the Euro 2020 winner to Merseyside.
In recent days, it has been suggested that he is unhappy at Juventus as they fell out of the Champions League race due to their points deduction. As mentioned previously, costcutting measures continue in Turin and Chiesa could be one of those used to free up much-needed funds as they look to limit the damage.
Chiesa, it has been suggested, struggled under Massimiliano Allegri and the attacker is now attracting interest with the Reds said to be ready to put €35m (£29.9m) on the table for the forward.
Elsewhere, the newspaper Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, claimed that there are 'English sirens' for Federico Chiesa with Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United reportedly interested.
It has been said that Liverpool are 'above all' English competition with Jurgen Klopp said to be very intrigued by the Juventus attacker.
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