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Liverpool will need to fork out more than £50m if they are to sign Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Which midfielders are Liverpool signing?

It is no secret that Jurgen Klopp is looking to bolster his midfield options this summer, having already completed the signing of Alexis Mac Allister for around £35m, and the manager has started to run the rule over other potential targets.

The Reds are leading the race for Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, and they are reportedly preparing a bid in the region of €90m (£77m), while a €55m (£47m) offer for Aurelien Tchouameni has been given the green light by Klopp.

Barella has also emerged as a target for Liverpool, having held a long-term interest in the midfielder, however a new update from Romano indicates that a deal may be difficult to orchestrate.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, the transfer expert said: "The reported fee of £50 million for Barella is not going to be enough for any club to sign him. Inter want way more than this and it is not going to be an easy negotiation in any case. For Liverpool, he is appreciated yes, but they are not sure yet that this is the kind of player they need. Let's see in the next days or weeks.”

Should Liverpool sign Nicolo Barella?

It is clear to see why the Reds have expressed an interest in the Italy international, as he performed very well for Inter last season, particularly in an attacking sense, registering nine goals and six assists in all competitions.

The 26-year-old is impressive at driving the ball forward, ranking in the 89th percentile for progressive carries per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers, while he places in the 88th for shot-creating actions, showcasing his creativity.

Hailed as "incredible" by members of the media, the former Cagliari man was a vital player for Inter last season, averaging 1.6 key passes per game, the third-highest figure in the squad, and an average of 1.4 tackles indicates he is willing to pitch in defensively

Romano does not rule out Liverpool moving for Barella at some point during the transfer window, however it is disappointing news that it does not appear to be on the cards for the time being, as he has the ability to slot right into the midfield three.

Manchester United's takeover process doesn't look much closer to a resolution as the Raine group are "still engaging with multiple parties" as the potential buyers become increasingly "frustrated by the lack of clarity", claims journalist Ben Jacobs.

Worse still for fans of the club is that even if a deal is struck, the completion process will take "weeks."

What is the latest Manchester United takeover news?

It has been over seven months since the Glazers publicly announced that they would be looking at "strategic alternatives" for Manchester United, including outside "investment", or in simple terms, they were looking to sell.

Since then, there have been three rounds of bidding for the institution, which has narrowed down the interested parties to just two; Jim Ratcliffe, Britain's richest man and a Qatari bid fronted by Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank.

The magic number the Glazers reportedly hold out for is estimated to be £6bn, per Sky Sports.

The Qatari bid is said to be willing to reach that target and 'overpay' to secure the club.

In contrast, Ratcliffe's bid has taken a different approach with an offer to keep the Glazers on board, buying just 50% of the club so that the Americans could retain about a 20% stake.

The company charged with dealing with the sale, bidders and Glazers are a US firm called Raine Group.

What has journalist Ben Jacobs said about Manchester United's takeover process?

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "Well, Raine Group are still engaging with multiple parties, and I think that the groups are frustrated by the lack of clarity, especially because we're already into the transfer window.

"And the other factor in all of this is even if we get a winner, they still have to go through the completion process. And that can take weeks as well."

Who are Raine Group?

The Raine Group are a New York City-based investment banking firm that has interwoven itself with massive sporting and entertainment institutions worldwide.

They were a key part of organising the sale of Chelsea from Roman Abramovich to Todd Boehly's consortium last year and have been described as the 'exclusive financial advisor' to United as a club during the takeover process, per the Athletic.

According to their website, the group was founded in 2009 and currently has over $3.8bn (£3.01bn) of assets under management.

With the transfer window already in full swing and their direct competitors making massive signings all around them, hopefully, the sale can go through quickly enough for the club to get back on track this summer.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Monaco defender Axel Disasi this summer, but Manchester United are also in the picture, according to a new update from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

How good is Axel Disasi?

The 25-year-old was an undoubted key man for his current side last season, proving to be an influential performer at the heart of their defence. He started an impressive 37 out of 38 Ligue 1 matches, winning an average of 2.6 aerial duels per outing – by far the most in his team – and also chipping with three goals and assists apiece for good measure.

Disasi is also a four-time capped France international, battling with the likes of Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba for minutes at international level, and he made three appearances at the 2022 World Cup, starting once and coming on as a substitute the other two times.

The Monaco man could well be a wanted man in the current transfer window, and while his contract doesn't run out until the summer of 2025, he could push for a move in the coming weeks as Champions League clubs snif around.

With Newcastle looking to potentially sign a new long-term centre-back partner for Sven Botman, it looks as though the Frenchman could be a target in the near future.

Do Newcastle want to sign Axel Disasi?

Taking to Twitter, Romano revealed Newcastle's interest in Disasi, also adding that United are equally keen on signing the defender, which was known previously:

"Newcastle and Manchester United are both exploring Disasi deal, no bids yet.

"Newcastle approached player side this week, expected to make contact with Monaco. Ten Hag approved Disasi — talks for weeks on player side but still waiting for approach with Monaco. More to follow."

Disasi could be a really strong addition to Newcastle's squad ahead of the new season, coming in as a possible immediate upgrade on Fabian Schar. The Swiss star has done an excellent job for the Magpies, but he is now 31 years of age and his very best days are arguably behind him, as can be the case with many players at the age. There is no issue with him as a squad player, but a younger option with his best years ahead of him makes complete sense this summer.

The Monaco defender has been hailed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig for being part of a "crazy" group of talented young French central defenders who were present at the World Cup, while his "great qualities" as a player have been lauded by French coach Jean-Luc Vasseur in the past.

These are the sort of players who can take Newcastle to that next level moving forward, ensuring that last season was far from a one-off, and that the Magpies can build on their Champions League qualification by securing another top-four finish in 2023/24, gradually becoming a true force in English football.

It is also a testament to the progress made under Eddie Howe in such a short space of time that Newcastle are now in the mix to sign players who are linked with clubs like the Red Devils.

West Ham United are in ongoing talks to sign Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria this summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

Who will West Ham sign this summer?

The east Londoners, fresh off their Europa Conference League triumph in Prague, will be looking to build upon that triumph and attract star players to David Moyes' squad.

Star midfielder Declan Rice's sale to Arsenal, which totals a British record £105 million (£100m plus £5m in add-ons) will help West Ham significantly in their quest to fund both his replacement and marquee additions across the squad.

In terms of who could make the move to West Ham, there have been a fair few players linked, with Leicester City forward Harvey Barnes, Fulham star Joao Palhinha and Man United's Scott McTominay coming as a few examples.

The Hammers could also reportedly make moves for United's Harry Maguire and Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, with Switzerland international Zakaria featuring highly on Moyes' transfer list as well.

Boosted by the appointment of Tim Steidten as the club’s new Technical Director, who is set to work closely with both Mark Noble and Moyes, it will be an interesting summer ahead for West Ham.

Going back to Zakaria, the former Chelsea loanee is a player wanted at the London Stadium, even despite a lacklustre temporary spell at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year-old, who featured at last year's 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is apparently at the centre of ongoing West Ham transfer talks.

Sky journalist Sheth, speaking to GiveMeSport recently, shared an update on the matter.

"The one that they are continuing talks with is Denis Zakaria," said the reporter.

The Juventus midfielder was on loan at Chelsea last season.

"It might have worked in West Ham's favour with regard to the fee because of how he performed at Chelsea last season. That's nothing against Zakaria because he was going into a club which was a bit of a mess, really.

"I don't know how many players you can pick out from the Chelsea squad from last season and say, 'my goodness, they had a fantastic season'.

"Maybe he was just one of those players that got sucked into that kind of malaise that happened at Chelsea last season."

How good is Denis Zakaria?

The Swiss didn't have the most memorable of spells at Chelsea last campaign, but going by his past plaudits, there is certainly a player there worth considering.

German football icon Lothar Matthaus, for instance, even compared Zakaria to Toni Kroos during the player's time at Borussia Monchengladbach.

“I’m glad that Gladbach have found another pearl," said Matthaus.

"At his age, I was earning my first stripes for Borussia. He reminds me of Toni Kroos at that age.”

Meanwhile, another legend in Gladbach great Gunter Netzer claimed Zakaria is a man who can do it all in midfield – even way beyond his status as a defensive midfield player.

“It an insult to Zakaria (to call him a defensive midfielder)," said Netzer.

“He is enormously valuable because he plays for the team. Players like him play a part in the success of many teams, they do the dirty work for others.”

Newcastle United are reportedly considering a move for Monaco centre-back Axel Disasi this summer as they prepare for a return to the Champions League.

After enjoying a remarkable 22/23 campaign, finishing fourth in the Premier League and reaching the Carabao Cup final, Eddie Howe's side are strengthening the various sections of the field to consolidate their return to European competition.

Midfielder Sandro Tonali has already been signed from AC Milan for £55m, but further work must be forged across the defensive and attacking thirds.

Could Newcastle sign Axel Disasi?

According to Caught Offside, Disasi's name remains on the list at St. James's Park after reports of the club's interest have surfaced over the past several weeks, with Manchester United also eyeing a deal.

The Ligue 1 giants would reportedly want around €40m (£34m), for the 25-year-old defender, which could be an affordable price for a talented ace – who is also out of contract in just two years' time.

Speaking to Caught Offside in a separate report, French football expert Jonathan Johnson has confirmed that the Frenchman is "strongly linked" to the Toon side, saying that he would "boost their Champions League aspirations."

How good is Axel Disasi?

While Newcastle did complete the 22/23 Premier League campaign with a joint-division strongest defence – alongside Manchester City (both 33 goals conceded) – Howe will know of the importance of bolstering the ranks to ensure the commendable progress made over the past several years does not stagnate.

And Disasi could be viewed as the perfect titan to enter the fray and cement a starting berth, having played an instrumental role for the Rouges et blancs over the past few seasons, forging 129 displays and being hailed as "complete & dominant" and a "hidden gem" by scout Jacek Kulig.

The four-cap France international – who made his debut at the 2022 World Cup – certainly seems to fit the mould of a top-class modern defender, with FBref ranking him among the top 7% of centre-backs for goals, the top 5% for assists, the top 4% for progressive passes and progressive carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 14% for interceptions per 90.

Effectively, what this suggests is that the £12k-per-week gem can contribute with a direct goal threat and can provide superlative support from deep with his ball-playing skills.

Intriguingly, Marseille's Chancel Mbemba is considered the 6 foot 3 mountain's most comparable player on FBref, which could tee Howe up to expunge the demons of the Magpies' failed signing of the Congolese star, who signed for £8m from Belgian team Anderlecht in 2015 and made 59 appearances on Tyneside before departing for Porto in 2018 for £7m.

The lion's share of Mbemba's outings in black and white came in the first of his three terms on English shores, where he played 33 league matches but failed to prevent United from suffering relegation from the top-flight – from that point on, a peripheral role was all the 28-year-old could muster.

The 69-cap international now ranks among the top 1% of positional peers for goals, the top 13% for shot-creating actions and the top 6% for both progressive passes and progressive carries per 90, indeed cut from the cloth as Disasi.

While Mbemba's Newcastle career concluded long before Howe's arrival as manager, he could finally avenge the wayward signing by signing a new and improved version of what once seemed an astute buy for a prodigious talent.

The summer transfer window has been officially open for business for little more than a month and Celtic have added two new players to their squad to date.

Who have Celtic signed this summer?

Odin Thiago Holm, who featured in the 1-0 pre-season win over Osaka on Saturday, and Australia international Marco Tilio have both been brought in to improve Brendan Rodgers' midfield arsenal.

There could be three further players through the door over the coming days as Maik Nawrocki is set to sign a five-year deal with the club, whilst South Korean talents Kyeok-kyu Kwon and Hyun-jun Yang are also reportedly on the verge of linking up with their new teammates.

These fresh additions could allow the Scottish giants to part ways with some of those on the fringes of the squad, which could generate more funds for any further incoming business.

One player who Rodgers must brutally ditch from the club before the deadline passes is Switzerland international Albian Ajeti, whose time at Parkhead should be up as his career in Scotland so far does not indicate that he will be a valuable option for the head coach.

How many goals has Albian Ajeti scored for Celtic?

The £21k-per-week flop has plundered nine goals in 48 matches for the side in all competitions to date and, based on his form over recent years, would not oust Kyogo Furuhashi or Hyeon-gyu Oh next season.

Neil Lennon snapped him up from West Ham United for a fee of £5m in the summer of 2020 and described the centre-forward as a "tremendous" player with "real quality". However, he has failed to live up to that high praise from the Northern Irish tactician.

During the 2020/21 campaign, the 26-year-old dud, who former Bhoys striker Frank McAvennie described as "lazy" due to his lacklustre work rate, scored six goals and provided one assist in 20 Scottish Premiership appearances for the Bhoys.

He followed that up with two goals and zero assists in seven league outings under Ange Postecoglou, after Lennon departed in 2021, as the Australian boss rarely called upon his services.

This led to Ajeti, who was lambasted as "not good enough" by ex-Celtic man Ramon Vega, going out on loan to Sturm Graz last term. During his time in Austria, the Hoops flop failed to resurrect his career as he only scored four goals in 23 matches.

Since the summer of 2020, the misfiring forward has scored 13 goals in 71 competitive games – an average of one strike every 5.46 outings. This shows that he has been far from a reliable goalscorer over the last three years, whereas his competition for the striker position have proven themselves to be superior options.

Meanwhile, Kyogo has racked up 54 goals in 83 matches for the club – one every 1.54 clashes – and Oh, who is four years younger than Ajeti, scored seven times in 21 appearances for Postecoglou last season – one every three games.

These statistics suggest that Rodgers has two centre-forwards who offer far more than the Swiss marksman at the top end of the pitch, which is why the manager must brutally bin him this summer if there are any clubs who would be willing to swoop for his services.

Aston Villa potentially adding a striker is definitely an area of 'interest' as Unai Emery looks to beef up his options in the final third, according to Daily Express reporter Ryan Taylor.

Which strikers have Aston Villa been linked with this window?

Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness claim that Aston Villa could hijack Serie A side Genoa in their attempts to sign Italy international Marco Retegui, who is on loan at Tigre from Boca Juniors.

The report states that the Villans, alongside other Premier League clubs have been 'exerting a disruptive action' to try and steal the 24-year-old from under the noses of Genoa, with their hopes of landing the San Fernando-born star hanging in the balance.

Earlier this month, one Spanish outlet speculated that Barcelona forward Ferran Torres is not part of Xavi's plans at the La Liga giants this campaign and Aston Villa are believed to be hot on his tail.

Nevertheless, La Blaugrana are expected to ask for €35 million to let the Spain international depart this summer, which is not a fee Aston Villa are willing to fork out for his services.

Aston Villa boss Emery may have to enter the market to buy a new frontman if Ollie Watkins leaves Villa Park. Journalist Simon Phillips has indicated on his Substack that Chelsea are keen to offer the 27-year-old a route to the capital; however, any deal to land the Torquay-born striker may prove difficult.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Daily Express reporter Taylor expects movement regarding incomings and outgoings at Aston Villa and believes that adding a striker will be high on Emery's priority list.

Taylor stated: “Yeah I don't see Aston Villa slowing down anytime soon, although they have spent a fair bit of money now. I think it's going to be a few outgoings, which will probably create a few gaps in the squad.

“A striker is definitely one that's of interest, but I do struggle to sort of see if they want a striker that's going to be an upgrade on Ollie Watkins, that's going to be a big fee. So, I don't really see that happening."

Who else could Aston Villa look to bring in?

Aston Villa boss Emery will hope to add some additional quality to his squad this summer to follow the high-profile additions of Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans, as per Transfermarkt.

Free agent midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the Villans' radar, though they will face stiff competition from Brentford and clubs in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United States, according to Sky Sports.

Viola News via TEAMtalk report that Aston Villa are in contention to sign Fiorentina defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who is also garnering attention from Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Rennes winger Jeremy Doku is also wanted by Aston Villa and a central defence is a key area that Spanish coach Emery would like to strengthen at Villa Park, according to The Guardian.

Deportes COPE Valencia have claimed on Twitter X that Aston Villa are in discussions over a move for Levante full-back Marc Pubill and could submit a formal offer for the 20-year-old.

When Aaron Ramsdale first joined Arsenal, it's no secret that fans around the Premier League, those at The Emirates included, were left slightly bemused by the fact that a goalkeeper had completed a move to a top six club off the back of back-to-back relegations.

Yet, low and behold, and much to his credit, Ramsdale has cemented his place as the starting shot-stopper for one of the Premier League's top clubs. It is arguably the greatest sign of his character that he managed to block out the noise of criticism to establish himself as Mikel Arteta's number one.

Two years on from his move, Ramsdale has spoken about the initial backlash, and more in his Players' Tribune article.

What did Aaron Ramsdale say?

Speaking about his Arsenal move, Ramsdale spoke about the criticism that he received, saying in his Players' Tribune article: "When I think back on joining Arsenal, I don’t have the same stories as the other lads. I’ve seen players saying, “Oh yeah, Wenger rang me up.” Or talking about fans showing up outside their house singing their names.

"But my story? Honestly? When the news came out, the only thing I can remember is the entire world telling me that I was absolute sh*t."

As Arsenal's interest grew, Ramsdale explained how he started to get more attention in the media: "Then I come back from training, and I go to pick up my phone, and it’s hot. Like, really hot. And I see about 100 notifications. That little bird. Ping, ping, ping. I’m like, “What’s happening?” Instagram. Ping, ping, ping. I’m used to maybe 15 or 20 notifications a day back then. (And three are from my mum.) Ping, ping, ping. I go to my Twitter, and I see that the news has leaked, and I am getting absolutely roasted."

Ramsdale also took the opportunity to speak on important issues outside of football, particularly the homophobic abuse that the LGBTQ+ community face.

He said: "My brother is gay, and he’s lived his life in an open and authentic way since he went off to school. I’m so proud to say he’s my brother. I haven’t talked about it before, but with everything going on in football right now, I thought it was important to mention.

"Oliver is a lot like me, in many ways. He’s a regular bloke. Loves football. Loves knocking about with his mates. Loves the Gunners. He’s proud of me, and I’m really proud of him.

"Over the years, I’ve probably bit my tongue a few too many times — both in dressing rooms and on social media — whenever I hear homophobic comments or stupid things being said. And I think maybe my brother has done the same, thinking it would make my life easier.

"Well, all that ends today."

Adding to an already emotional article, the goalkeeper also revealed that his wife had a miscarriage mid-way through last season, after he'd taken a short holiday following the winter World Cup.

"On the flight home, my wife had a miscarriage," Ramsdale said.

"There’s really no way that I can describe the pain of that six-hour flight back to London, even now. I just want people out there to know that they’re not alone if they’re going through it themselves. When we got back, I didn’t tell many people what happened. Only my family, my teammates, and of course Mikel. He was fantastic about everything. Even in the middle of the title race, with so much pressure on the club, he asked me if I needed some time off to deal with everything. Mikel went above and beyond to make sure me and my family were OK.

"For me, that’s a manager."

What's more, three days later he started the north London derby away at Tottenham Hotspur and kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win and was then kicked by a rival fan after the full-time whistle – which serves as a great reminder of how people should never forget just what footballers might be going through off the pitch.

When does Arsenal's season start?

With pre-season now over, Arsenal and Ramsdale's attention must turn to the Community Shield, where they'll be looking to gain the first edge over Manchester City ahead of what could be another back-and-forth Premier League title race.

If things go anything like last season for Ramsdale, in particular, then the shot-stopper is set to have a standout campaign once again at The Emirates.

Even in the face of initial criticism, Ramsdale has proven the haters wrong to become a permanent fixture in Arteta's side.

Manchester United could well have identified a leading option to replace Harry Maguire this summer, amid reports that the club have held talks regarding the signing of OGC Nice star, Jean-Clair Todibo.

What's the latest on Todibo to Man United?

With West Ham United having seemingly agreed a £30m deal to help rescue Maguire from his Old Trafford nightmare, transfer insider Fabrice Hawkins has also revealed that United have been in contact with both Todibo's representatives and the Ligue 1 outfit over a prospective move.

Writing on Twitter, Hawkins stated: "Manchester United targets Jean-Clair Todibo. Discussions with Nice and the defender's entourage. The Reds devils are waiting to sell Harry Maguire to take action. West Ham have accelerated on HM and hope to complete the transfer."

Read the latest Manchester United transfer news HERE…

While the 6 foot 3 ace is valued at around €15m (£13m) by CIES Football Observatory, prior reports have indicated that the Frenchman could command a fee of closer to €30m (£26m), with four years left to run on his existing deal.

Should Man United sign Todibo?

With Maguire – who was only recently stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag – set to be on his way to the London Stadium, the Red Devils will have a real pressing need to bolster their centre-back ranks before the end of the window, particularly with Raphael Varane having proven somewhat unreliable due to his persistent injury woes.

In the form of Todibo, Ten Hag could find himself a relatively youthful and "underrated" talent – in the words of Jacek Kulig – who can represent a long-term option at the Theatre of Dreams, with the one-time Barcelona man having been as "solid as a rock" in his homeland of late, as per Kulig.

The former France U20 international will likely be looking to emulate the impact that Thiago Silva has enjoyed in the Premier League since trading Paris Saint-Germain for Chelsea back in the summer of 2020, with Todibo himself having previously spoken of his admiration for the veteran Brazilian:

"I've been inspired a lot by Andrea Pirlo in central midfield, and also by Thiago Silva in defence."

As per the Bundesliga's official website, one of the former Schalke man's key strengths is the fact that he is 'superb on the ball', as he notably ranks in the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90 among his European peers and in the top 15% for progressive passes per 90.

That composure in possession is also seen by the fact that one-time Toulouse titan also ranks in the top 20% for pass completion and the top 13% for passes attempted, ensuring he is going someway to matching Silva's impact for the Blues, as the 38-year-old ranks in the top 8% and the top 7% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Despite his advancing years, the latter man – who won the Champions League with the west Londoners back in 2021 – remains a truly exceptional presence at the heart of the defence, with his average match rating of 7.26 during the 2022/23 campaign, as per Sofascore, ranking him second behind only Bruno Fernandes in relation to the United squad.

The likeness between Silva and Todibo can also be seen by their defensive prowess and knack for sniffing out the danger, with the younger man having averaged 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game in Ligue 1 last season, while his experienced counterpart averaged 2.8 in that regard in England's top flight.

With Silva a simply "incredible centre-back" – according to ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard – the hope will be that Todibo can reach similar heights if he is to follow in his idol's footsteps and trade France for England this summer.

Jurgen Klopp is not one to hold back what he truly thinks, making for some fairly famous quotes throughout his time at Liverpool.

Catch the German in a fiery mood, and he may well give you an explosive answer. Meanwhile, as proven in his recent press conference, he’s not afraid to take aim at his fellow managers, even in a light-hearted way.

Asked about the new Premier League rule, which allows just one member of staff to stand in the technical area, Klopp hit back with an instant reply, and jokingly took aim at Newcastle United’s Jason Tindall and Eddie Howe.

Whether or not the Newcastle coaches make their response remains to be seen, but Klopp certainly enjoyed the chance to take aim at those at St James’ Park.

What did Jurgen Klopp say?

As you can see from the video posted by Hayters TV, Klopp shared his thoughts on the new rule, signalling a flurry of laughter from the press room, saying: “I think it’s only for one team a real problem, Newcastle.”

After cracking up himself, he then added a sarcastic: “Sorry!”

Of course, the Liverpool manager isn’t exactly wrong, either. Tindall and Howe both operated from within the technical area last season, with the former even going viral with just how much he is involved for the Magpies.

An assistant manager in the loosest of ways, Tindall must now figure out a way to keep his influence going at Newcastle, whilst attempting to not break the new rule set by the Premier League.

With a game against Liverpool coming up at the end of August too, we’re sure that Klopp will be keeping a keen eye on what’s going on next to him in the dugout.

What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?

When it comes to the transfer window, to say that Liverpool have had a nightmare month would be the understatement of the year. First, the Reds lost both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia, leaving them short in midfield.

Then, they tussled with Southampton in a public manner, attempting to bargain the Saints’ reported £50m valuation of Romeo Lavia down by placing bids going up into the late £40m mark ever so slightly.

To top things off, the Premier League giants then agreed a deal with Brighton & Hove Albion, as confirmed by Klopp, to sign Moises Caicedo, only for the midfielder to reject the Reds in favour of what is now a pending move to Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Coming full circle, they have finally agreed a deal with Southampton to sign Lavia, according to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, after seeing a £60m bid accepted. This, of course, follows their initial reluctance to meet the Saints’ £50m valuation.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

With Chelsea also pursuing the Belgian, however, Liverpool could see both of their targets end the summer at Stamford Bridge, leaving them without a defensive midfielder, altogether.

The more it’s looked at, the more Liverpool’s summer transfer window becomes the stuff of nightmares. With the Premier League season underway, the Reds must find themselves a defensive midfielder, whether that’s through the signing of Lavia or another option found elsewhere in the coming weeks.