A year ago
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after the final whistle of the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool are close to adding a top midfield pair, while a report has detailed a third player Red Devils fans should keep an eye on.
Overhauling a mediocre midfield is the number one priority at Anfield this summer. With the departures of Arthur Melo, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, an overhaul is now a necessity, not a luxury.
Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister appears to be the first player to come through the door, with the Argentinian World Cup champion said to have reached a "complete agreement" on individual, per-sport terms.
A transfer fee of around £70 million has been announced in the media. However, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano insists the actual number is "much less".
Shedding light on the numbers involved, Football Insider says the actual fee is between £55m and £60m. The Red Devils will not have to raise prices any higher thanks to the presence of a clause in Mac Allister's contract.
Now, according to Romano, Mac Allister's move to Merseyside is about to accelerate.
The reporter tweeted that Mac Allister's father and agent have both flown to the UK and final details will be their top priority while there. Romano concluded that the transaction is expected to close “next week” (w/c Monday, June 5).
Liverpool's second 'premium' signing
Elsewhere, the second appearance in midfield was Nice's Khephren Thuram 'moving forward'.
L'Equipe reports that Liverpool have been negotiating with the 22-year-old France international's representatives for weeks.
The negotiations appeared to have paid off, as Liverpool later opened up dialogue with their Nice counterparts.
Now, a new update from Football Transfers claims the decision to sign Thuram is 'advanced'. Khephren's father - former France international Lilian Thuram - is leading the negotiations that are expected to progress.
Jurgen Klopp's admiration for Khrephren Thuram was confirmed in the play and the player is said to be 'delighted' to join the Red Devils.
Competition will come from PSG, who are expected to miss Manuel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon. However, Liverpool appear to have stolen a trip to PSG and a deal appears to be in their hands.
Reports vary widely on how much a move from Thuram will make Liverpool return. Anything in the wide range of €40-60m (£34.5-51.7m) has been quoted.
Football Transfers claim a third midfield transfer - this time involving Borussia Mönchengladbach's Manu Kone - may not be of as much interest to Liverpool as other news outlets claim.
BILD's Christian Falk said Liverpool's interest in the 22-year-old was "real and substantial" earlier this week.
Feyenoord's Orkun Kokcu would be a better choice instead, according to Football Transfers. The 22-year-old Turkey international was instrumental in helping Feyenoord win their second Eredivisie title since the turn of the century this year and will cost around €40m (£34.5m) to sign.
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