The January transfer window may have slammed shut, but that certainly hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from swirling and linking a number of players with a summer move to Anfield.
Liverpool did their business early in the January window, bringing in Japan international Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg, but the speculation continues all-year round at Anfield.
Here the experts over at our sister title, the Liverpool Echo, have a look at the latest named being linked with a potential move to join up with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Who?
Ousmane Dembele, the fleet-footed French winger who Barcelona paid Borussia Dortmund more than £120m for in 2017.
He netted 14 in all competitions last season but after netting just once in nine outings this term, the 22-year-old has now been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a hamstring tear.
Where?
The Daily Star say: “Liverpool transfer target Ousmane Dembele looks set to leave Barcelona after his latest injury woe.
“He had only just returned to training for the first time since November when the injury occurred and Barca are quickly losing patience with him.
“Dortmund are due to receive an extra £4.25m when the winger makes his 75th appearance for the club - he is currently locked on 74.
“Club officials feel that money could better be used elsewhere such as towards a new forward player in the summer.”
What?
Could Dembele prove a more affordable alternative to Kylian Mbappe?
While Jurgen Klopp has publicly poured water on any suggestions that Liverpool could make a move for the Paris St Germain ace, he has in the past been more encouraging when talking about Dembele.
The Reds boss was wading through some Nabil Fekir transfer talk in 2018 and the Barcelona winger’s name cropped up, Klopp said: “Is he on the market? Now I’m interested.”
Who?
Florian Wirtz, who has been dubbed ‘The new Kai Havertz’.
The 16-year-old has scored eight goals in 10 appearances for Koln’s under-17s and has agreed to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer when his contract expires.
Where?
Inside Futbol cite Bayer Leverkusen youth team coach Patrick Helmes as telling German broadcaster Sport1: “The boy has a lot of talent.
“He could have gone to Liverpool, Bayern Munich or Dortmund. Everyone wanted the boy.
“It is interesting that Flo chose Bayer; probably because of the proximity to his home.”
What?
Inside Futbol say Koln have been left unhappy at Leverkusen agreeing a deal with Wirtz, with a supposed understanding between clubs in the North Rhine-Westphalia region not to poach each others youngsters.
However, Wirtz’s fledgling career is still very much in its embryonic stage. Perhaps Liverpool will go out and sign Kai Havertz himself?
