Liverpool are rumoured to be back in the hunt for Monaco defender Benjamin Mendy after the player’s proposed move to Manchester City collapsed. L’Equipe reported Mendy’s talks with the Sky Blues have run into trouble, opening the door Liverpool and Chelsea once again.
The France international had a sensational campaign with his club as they claimed the Ligue 1 crown, as well as reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Monaco are expected to hold out for a huge fee for the former Marseille star and want £40 million for his services, per Benson. The 22-year-old, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, appeared 32 times for Monaco in Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season, providing eight assists.
It is also reported that Liverpool have joined the race to sign Monaco sensation Thomas Lemar. The 21-year-old France international had a fine season at Monaco when he netted 19 goals to guide the French giants to the Ligue 1 title ahead of Paris St-Germain. French outlet Telefoot claimed that Liverpool are now keen on the attacker.
Also according to reports from Naples, Klopp is on the hunt for former target Piotr Zielinski of Napoli, as they offered £25 million for the Poland international, but it falls short of Napoli’s £60 million valuation.
The former Empoli loan starlet made 18 starts in Serie A last term, scoring five goals and providing seven assists. The player came off the bench a further 18 times to influence matches for his club.
According to reports, Reds’ chiefs will sit down with Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho once again, having seen a first offer rejected for Gelson Martins. Liverpool have told Sporting Lisbon they are ready to splash £44million to land the 22-year-old.
Portugal winger Martins has attracted a host of European attention over the last 12 months after enjoying a splendid breakthrough season in Portugal last term.
Liverpool stopper Loris Karius is reportedly wanted by Bundesliga side Augsburg. After arriving from Mainz in 2016, Karius enjoyed a roller coaster season when he made 10 Premier League appearances but was subsequently replaced by Simon Mignolet due to several high profile errors. According to The Sun, the interest in Karius has held up Danny Ward’s potential exit to Huddersfield.
The Metro has reported that Liverpool have been told by Leicester City that goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will cost them £50 million. Manchester United are also said to be interested in the Danish shot-stopper and after impressing for Leicester over the past few seasons, he could be ready to make the move north and follow in his dad’s footsteps.
There are also reports in France on Sunday claiming that the Reds are willing to meet the Dortmund’s £61m asking price for the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after Paris St-Germain pulled out of the deal to sign the striker.
It is also claimed that the 28-year-old is keen to once again join up with Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool aim to boost their attack ahead of their Champions League campaign. Aubameyang smashed in 40 goals in 46 matches in all competitions last season and was the Bundesliga’s top scorer.
Mendy, Zielinski and Aubameyang are the type of high-quality players Klopp will want to add in the summer, boosting Liverpool’s squad in key positions ahead of next term’s campaign. The left-back situation has to be solved and top notch striker will be required for Liverpool to mount a serious title challenge, as well as progress in the Champions League.
The Reds must also prioritise a centre-back on their shopping list as they appeared vulnerable in defence during the past 12 months. Sakho remains a Liverpool player but his future remains uncertain. Virgil Van Dijk proposed move was also put off due to illegal tapping of the Southampton player. It remains a priority if Klopp can identify a new centre-back target before the start of the new season.
