As Liverpool pre-season continues, we continue to provide the latest transfer news and rumours from Merseyside.
Last week it was revealed that Liverpool had seen their second bid of £66m for Naby Keita knocked back by RB Leipzig. It has almost become a matter of principle for the Bundesliga side to keep Keita, but according to reports, Liverpool have sensationally upped their offer to a whopping £74.5m in hope that Leipzig would change their mind.
Jurgen Klopp is confident that such an amount will prove too difficult for them to turn down even though Leipzig have been resolute in their stance that the Guinea international is not for sale. It is reported that Liverpool and RB Leipzig have agreed on a deal in principle which includes an initial £40m paid up front for the Guinean, however, there are also reports citing that RB Leipzig had rejected the offer.
On Monday, the 22-year-old may have dropped a hint as to what he makes of all the speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League. The Guinean injured his midfield partner Diego Demme after the duo were involved in a quickfire exchange of tough tackles.
It was Demme that was left in need of treatment during a training game at the club’s pre-season base in Austria. The challenge was so bad that it ended the session and Demme was seen leaving the pitch with his knee bandaged up.
There are speculations that Keita’s frustration at being unable to join Liverpool is the reason behind this training bust-up. Keita was eventually forced to apologise to the German by his boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Another transfer saga that has been going on for quite a while is regarding Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk. It had appeared that the Dutch defender had handed in a transfer request and Liverpool were alerted to Van Dijk’s potential availability after he was ordered to train alone by Southampton.
Van Dijk has been banned from Saints’ pre-season tour of France by new manager Mauricio Pellegrino and the Reds are expected to make a big offer for the Southampton defender, but only if the Saints explicitly make clear they’re willing to entertain offers for the £60m rated centre-back.
There are also rumours that Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is reportedly close to finalising a move to Juventus after agreeing terms with the Italian champions. The 23-year-old has been tipped to move on this summer after entering the final year of his contract.
It is claimed by Italian outlet Tuttosport that personal terms have been agreed with Can and that the move to the Old Lady could cost up to £30m.
