Liverpool transfer news: Liverpool has reportedly made a decision after being linked with a $115m midfielder, while efforts to sign Ryan Gravenberch could be stepped up.
With less than two weeks to go now until the transfer window closes, time is running out for Liverpool to get the two signings it needs before the September 1 deadline.
The Reds have made progress on the transfer front this week, with the signing of defensive midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart being confirmed. There is, though, still more work to do for Jürgen Klopp and Jörg Schmadtke.
Liverpool ideally needs another younger option to go alongside Endo in the number six role, while a new center-back is still needed to support Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.
Plenty of names continue to be linked with a move to Anfield, with one of the more prominent names this summer being Ryan Gravenberch, and the latest reports from Germany suggest Liverpool might be stepping up its efforts for the former Ajax star.
Meanwhile, an option closer to home in the Premier League looks to have been ruled out, with a huge asking price contributing to the Reds’ decision.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today around the 3-1 victory over Bournemouth.
João Palhinha (Fulham)
Liverpool has cooled its interest in Fulham midfielder João Palhinha, according to Football Insider. The report claims the Reds are ready to press for a big-money defensive midfielder to go alongside the signing of Wataru Endo.
However, interest in Palhinha has dwindled, with the 28-year-old suffering a shoulder injury in pre-season, while Fulham is also said to have demanded $115m (£90m/€105m).
Liverpool.com says: With Endo having now arrived, signing Palhinha wouldn’t really make much sense for Liverpool. A much younger option is now needed as a long-term option, and ideally one that can learn from the Japanese international before becoming the clear first-choice number six.
That’s before you take into account the price tag, which is enough to make this a virtual non-starter. You only need to look at the fee for Endo to see that $115m is far too much for a player only two years younger.
Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich)
Liverpool chief scout Dave Fallows recently traveled to Germany to ‘obtain detailed information’ on Ryan Gravenberch, according to TZ. The German outlet suggests Gravenberch is still on Jürgen Klopp’s radar.
Fellow German outlet Bild also claims the Reds would be willing to bid up $26m (£20m/€23m) for the 21-year-old, although no official offer has been made yet.
Liverpool.com says: Gravenberch is clearly a fair way down the pecking order at Bayern now, and after the signing of Harry Kane, it could be in the German champion’s best interest to recoup some of that money by offloading some of its players.
Gravenberch could still be a decent option for Liverpool, although his suitability as a number six is up for debate. If the Reds can get him for as little as $26m, it could be a deal worth exploring, otherwise a more natural defensive midfielder looks a better option.
