Liverpool's transfer summer is expected to be a busy one following a disappointing campaign for Jurgen Klopp's men.
Their business is starting to hot up, with Klopp keen to rebuild a midfield department that was one of the Reds' biggest weaknesses in the season just gone. The Reds are understood to have opened talks with Borussia Monchengladbach star Manu Kone, though will have to pay his £38million release clause.
Brighton midfielder and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is also being targeted by Klopp, with Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi admitting that he expects him to leave. But Liverpool are also facing a battle to sign some of their other targets.
Manchester United are thought to be leading the race for Mason Mount, who Klopp is also eyeing. Meanwhile, it appears that fellow target Ivan Fresneda is set to choose Arsenal rather than Anfield as his next destination this summer.
Stay with us for the latest Liverpool transfer news...
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to Mirror Football's live blog for the latest Liverpool transfer news.
Kounde clears up transfer claims
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde was the subject of some tenuous links earlier this week. He only arrived at the Camp Nou last summer, but was put forward as a potential departure as their annual search for funds gets underway.
However, he has stated that he will not be on the move: “My future? I will stay at Barcelona, of course."
Onto the next one, then.
Guimaraes contact made
As well as Thuram, it is suggested that Bruno Guimaraes is a target for Klopp’s midfield rebuild.
The Brazilian has flourished since arriving in the Premier League and helped Newcastle to a top-four finish.His performances haven’t gone unnoticed either, with Barcelona said to be monitoring his situation.
And Goal Brasil claims Liverpool are also in the mix and they have initiated contact with the player’s entourage. This one feels a long shot, Guimaraes is valued at more than £80m according to reports.
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)Liverpool pushing for Thuram
Reports in France claim Liverpool are pushing hard to sign Nice midfielder Khephren Thurham.
L’Equipe via GFFN suggest that the Reds have been in talks with weeks, but will face competition from clubs across Europe. Thuram is valued at around £50m, but has recently stated he would be happy to remain with the Ligue 1 club.
Ox thanks Reds fans
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has paid tribute to the “unique” Liverpool fans who have supported him through thick and thin.
England star Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a long-term knee injury in April 2018 but revealed it was the Liverpool supporters from far and wide who got him through it.
Read more from John Cross' exclusive interview with Oxlade-Chamberlain here
Image:
Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Leighton Clarkson faces tough choice
Liverpool midfielder Leighton Clarkson seems certain to exit the Reds this summer, although he faces a tough choice over where to go.
The 21-year-oold has impressed on loan with Aberdeen in Scotland, but Reading - recently relegated to League One - are also keen on him.
Clarkson is set to become the sixth confirmed exit from Liverpool this summer after Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo.
Image:
SNS Group)Firmino targeted by Real Madrid
The now former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is a transfer target for Real Madrid as a free agent this summer.
Firminohas decided not to extend his contract with the Reds and is walking away from Anfield following the end of this season.
The 31-year-old was in talks over a new deal at the club but will not extend his stay and instead pursue a new challenge, with multiple clubs interested in his signature as he is available as a free agent.
Read more here.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shares transfer plan
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been part of a winning machine for six years – and now the Liverpool midfielder is ready for a new challenge, but has not lost any of his ambition to win even more trophies.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is still only 29 and is fit, in great shape, raring to go and his enthusiasm is as infectious as ever having enjoyed the time of his life at Anfield. The England international is a free agent this summer, is open to offers and has that rare thing in football: outstanding ability and a terrific character for any dressing room.
Read all of Ox's exclusive interview with John Cross here
Carvalho 'mystery' solved
Fabio Carvalho was said to be the subject of a 'mystery' bid from a club who have qualified for the Champions League on Monday, but now that mystery appears to have been solved.
The Times report that it was Bundesliga side RB Leipzig who enquired after Carvalho, but as of now the Reds aren't keen on selling him in a permanent deal.
Image:
STEVE BARDENS/AFP via Getty Images)Jorg Schmadtke appointed sporting director
Liverpool have appointed the experienced German Jorg Schmadtke as the club's new sporting director on a short-term deal.
The 59-year-old replaces Julian Ward in the role, and will begin his new job on Thursday subject to completing work permit formalities.
Schmadtke had worked in a similar role at Wolfsburg for the past four years, and has vast experience of the transfer market across Europe.
More here.
Image:
Bongarts/Getty Images)Alexis Mac Allister transfer edges closer
Liverpool are edging closer to a deal for Alexis Mac Allister, with the latest reports from Argentina suggesting that a move could materialise in the next week.
Mac Allister effectively said goodbye to Brighton on Sunday, with boss Roberto De Zerbi admitting he expects him to leave.
Reports in Mac Allister's homeland state that a deal could well be "imminent", with Liverpool even reserving Sadio Mane's old No.10 shirt for him.
Adrian to stay a Red?
Goalkeeper Adrian is set to sign a new one-year deal to remain at Liverpool for a fifth season, according to reports.
The Spanish stopper has played 26 times for the Reds since joining from West Ham in 2019, with 11 of those appearances coming in the Premier League winning 2019-20 season.
Now third-choice following the emergence of Caoimhin Kelleher, the 36-year-old is known to be a popular figure around the squad, and a player whose presence Jurgen Klopp values highly.
Adrian's only appearance of the 2022-23 campaign came in the Community Shield win over Manchester City in July.
Carvalho drops exit hint
Fabio Carvalho is a name dominating the Liverpool transfer news early in the window, and he appeared to show his frustrations with the Reds on Instagram on Monday night.
After posting images of him modelling, he responded to one post calling him 'next top model' with the words 'all I do now', before then replying 'soon' when Manchester United's Anthony Elanga suggested he could soon be 'fresh home'.
A sign that he's unhappy? Time will tell.
Image:
Fabio Carvalho Instagram)Kounde 'hesitating' over future
Liverpool are aiming to take advantage of uncertainty surrounding Jules Kounde at Barcelona as he considers a Camp Nou exit.
The Reds are expected to have a busy summer transfer window following a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League. Midfield needs serious investment with a number of players already departing.
Another department boss Jurgen Klopp also wants to bolster is in defence and Barcelona star Kounde is a potential option. Reports in Spain suggest he was planning on leaving the Camp Nou this summer after being consistently played out of position. He has since moved to refute those rumours with a post on social media.
Full story here
Image:
Getty Images)Alexis Mac Allister shirt number suggestion
Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister continues to be the player most closely linked with a move to Anfield, and reports in his native Argentina have even suggested he has a shirt number picked out.
Mac Allister cut an emotional figure after playing what looks to be his final game for Brighton on Sunday, with Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi saying he now expects him to leave.
Argentinean publication Ole has outlined their latest information on the move, and state that Liverpool "seems to be on point to give the number 10 shirt to the world champion midfielder" this summer.
Mac Allister wears the No.10 for Brighton, while the shirt has remained unfilled at Liverpool since last summer's departure of Sadio Mane.
Leighton Clarkson weighs up options
Young midfielder Leighton Clarkson seems set to leave the Reds permanently after impressing on loan at Aberdeen this season, but he's facing a difficult decision over where to go.
The Dons do possess an agreement to sign Clarkson permanently, and want to make the move a reality, but the Daily Record report that recently relegated Reading are also chasing the 21-year-old.
Image:
SNS Group)Reds to turn down Fabio Carvalho approaches
Liverpool do not want to lose Fabio Carvalho on a permanent deal this summer, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The Reds have fielded a number of enquires about the 20-year-old who saw opportunities extremely limited during the second half of this season, starting just once since Christmas.
Several Premier League sides are known to want to take Carvalho on loan for next season, while at least one side from abroad are believed to have lodged a permanent bid
Jurgen Klopp had admitted that Carvalho may leave on loan, but Liverpool are likely to assess their options and other signings before making a decision.
Klopp said recently: “I think there is a maybe a possibility Fabio goes on loan but the thing is this was not Fabio’s best year in his career, clear, but it might have been his most important.
"No player has impressed me more than Fabio, it is the truth.
“This talented boy came here with big dreams and big expectations and it didn’t work out – it was okay in the beginning but it didn't work out in the end. But his work ethic will give him a fantastic career because he trained with getting nothing.”
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)Van Dijk sets eye on next season and thanks departing stars
Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool won't remember this season fondly, but will be ready to bounce back in the new campaign - hopefully with some new additions.
Writing on Instagram, the soon to be appointed Reds vice-captain said:
“That’s that. A season we won’t remember, only got a few good moments. I learned a lot on the pitch but even more off it!
“From the first day of pre-season we are going to work like crazy to get back to where we want to be. See you soon.”
Addressing the stars who have left, he added:
“And of course to James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino, it’s been an absolute pleasure to play with you all. Thank you for contributing to the success that we had. Memories forever! Much love.”
Image:
Michael Regan/Getty Images)Liverpool 'eye £50m Jules Kounde transfer'
Liverpool are interested in the Barcelona defender Jules Kounde according to reports.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has stated that defence is an area that he wants to strengthen this summer, and Kounde fits the bill as a player who can play at both centre-back and right-back, moving across when Trent Alexander-Arnold takes up his hybrid position.
Kounde only joined Barca from Sevilla last summer having previously been linked with Chelsea, and the LaLiga champions - who are looking to trim their wage bill - could accept an offer in the region of £50m having signed him for £46m.
Image:
Getty Images)Fabio Carvalho to make permanent Liverpool exit?
As well as players coming in, outgoings at Anfield are likely to be just as interesting this summer.
One man who could exit is Fabio Carvalho, with reports suggesting that Liverpool are willing to sanction a permanent exit for the youngster after just one season on Merseyside.
Carvalho featured frequently for the Reds at the start of the campaign, scoring in the 9-0 win over Bounemouth and then netting a last gasp winner against Newcastle.
He also scored in the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City in the League Cup in the first game back after the World Cup, but has only made four appearances for the Reds in 2023.
Image:
STEVE BARDENS/AFP via Getty Images)De Zerbi agrees to Mac Allister departure
Alexis Mac Allister is the name that seems closest to a Liverpool transfer right now, with the World Cup winner cutting an emotional figure after what seems likely to be his final game for Brighton on Sunday.
The 24-year-old was in tears at the end of Brighton's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, and Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi says both he and Moises Caicedo - another sometime Liverpool target - will leave this summer.
The Italian said:
"I think that can be the last game of Alexis and Moises, I'm really sorry. They are two great people and two great players."
Good morning!
Rejoice Reds, for the season is over.
And transfer season has begun.
It looks like there's going to be plenty going on at Anfield this summer, and we'll have you covered here.
