The Reds are still trying to sign Romeo Lavia before the end of the transfer window, but the club are bracing themselves for another player bid from Saudi Arabia
Liverpool have just one more pre-season fixture to play before the Premier League campaign gets underway.
However, it’s not just Sunday’s trip to Chelsea that will be occupying the mind of manager Jurgen Klopp this week. His work in the summer transfer window is still not done, with the club currently at odds with Southampton over the fee for teenage midfielder Romeo Lavia.
Jurgen Klopp has already secured the signings of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer, but the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia have left him short of reinforcements. The club are now weighing up other options if the Saints continue to play hard ball over Lavia.
Here are the main transfer talking points regarding the Reds this Monday, August 7.
Liverpool are set to move for a player familiar to their new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke as their pursuit of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia threatens to stall.
The Athletic have reported that a move for Cheick Doucoure, who enjoyed an impressive season with Crystal Palace in 2022/23, is being explored by the club. Jorg Schmadtke, who came on board at Anfield earlier this summer, has previously tried to sign the Malian from Lens when working at Wolfsburg.
But curiously Palace beat Schmadtke to his signature last summer. He went on to play 34 times for the Eagles last season, and was pivotal to their Premier League survival.
The Saudi Pro League are already targeting more big names including Mo Salah for fresh money no object raids next year.
A Pro League executive told the Sunday Mirror: “This is just the beginning. The League’s budget is astronomical and there is already interest from leading international players in England to move over here.
“With the personal rewards on offer it’s a life changing situation which few players will be able to resist. You can bet that more top players will be arriving again next year.”
Erik ten Hag has been in the Premier League for six-and-a-half seasons less than Jurgen Klopp, but has already exceeded his net spend in England.
ESPN have highlighted how shrewd the German manager has been in the transfer market, racking up a net spend of £356 million since arriving in December 2015. That figure of course, is severely boosted by the £142 million sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona.
United’s Dutch boss has only been in England’s top flight one season. But after the £72 million signing of Rasmus Hojlund was completed on Saturday, his net spend already stands at £396 million.
