With a short space of time remaining before transfer deadline day, the clock is ticking on Jurgen Klopp’s ability to strengthen his Liverpool squad for the first half of the season.
Three midfielders have been signed so far this summer – Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo. It hasn’t been as simple as that though with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson subject to drawn out exit sagas while pursuits of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia ended in disappointment.
This leaves 11 days to seal any deals and further midfield cover remains top of the agenda. Having played their hand with what at the time was a British record £111m bid for Caicedo, the Reds showed how much money there is in the bank.
Whether that ends up being spent in this window or next remains to be seen, but with injuries and suspensions to contend with there is a sense that the current depth will lead to problems in the coming months.
Ryan Gravenberch
One name to resurface before the window shuts is that of Ryan Gravenberch, Bayern Munich’s 21-year-old midfielder who has suffered from a lack of game time during his first 12 months in Germany.
The Mail Online have reported that Anfield chiefs and their Bayern counterparts have engaged in “more productive talks” over a summer move, while De Telegraaf in the Netherlands state that both the Reds and Manchester United are interested.
However according to The Athletic’s James Pearce the stance of the Bundesliga champions is that he is not for sale. On Monday morning he interestingly claimed that the club are not seeking to sign another outright defensive midfielder with Endo in line to start matches, however Gravenberch’s box-to-box nature remains of interest and if that stance changes then talks will be had.
Cheick Doucoure
In their update about Gravenberch the Mail Online also claimed that Liverpool have held talks with Crystal Palace over Doucoure.
His signing would be in contradiction to Pearce’s suggestion about no more No.6 recruitments this summer, although there are still clear rumours around the 23-year-old.
Football Insider also believe that the Mali international is high on Klopp’s list. They say as of Sunday night the ‘”deal is still alive” and would cost around £70m to secure.
Sofyan Amrabat
Another defensive midfield candidate consistently mentioned since his breakout performances at last winter’s World Cup is Sofyan Amrabat.
There have been conflicting reports from Italy over the weekend speculating on Liverpool interest, ranging from being all-in for his signature or 100 percent out.
La Viola first stated that the Moroccan had held talks with Klopp over the telephone last week in a bid to trump long-term Man United interest, however Il Torreno have since disputed that with a claim of their own – Liverpool have “gradually moved away.”
Ibrahim Sangare
Bayern Munich remained intertwined with Liverpool’s transfer destiny. As well as being the gatekeepers of Gravenberch they are also the other club linked with Ibrahim Sangare.
The PSV Eindhoven destroyer could yet be on the move before September 1, and currently it seems likely this would be to the Allianz Arena over Anfield.
Fichajes reported over the weekend that the 25-year-old midfielder “seems to be closer” to Bayern, and even if this was the case it could play into Klopp’s hands with Gravenberch’s competition for a starting spot increasing.
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