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Liverpool transfer news: Thiago Alcantara, Philippe Coutinho, Ozan Kabak, Harvey Barnes and more

Bongarts/Getty Images
Bongarts/Getty Images

The transfer window is open and Premier League sides will set about improving their squads over the coming weeks – if they can.

Financial uncertainty and a short squeeze between the end of one campaign and the start of 2020/21 means teams have to move fast, plan well and be responsible with their spending, all while trying to stay ahead of their rivals.

For Liverpool, it might be easier than for most: they won the league at a canter, know what they are looking for and didn’t spend much last year either, so will be comfortable with the squad level.

Add in one or two young talents coming through and it’s clear why Jurgen Klopp isn’t pushing for unnecessary deals to be made.

But that doesn’t mean that no deals will occur, and there are already plenty of rumours regarding the Reds—here are the latest.

Liverpool have been linked with Bayern Munich’s creative midfielder Thiago Alcantara, but ESPN say sources have told them the Reds have “no interest” in signing him and major deals won’t happen unless senior players leave. The story has been rumbling on for several weeks since it emerged that the Spanish international won’t renew his deal at the Allianz Arena, but reports have thus far been conflicting.

In Germany, national outlet Kicker have the Reds targeting Ozan Kabak, a central defender with Schalke. The 20-year-old is reportedly available for around €30 million and is reportedly seen as an ideal replacement for Dejan Lovren, who has left for Russian side Zenit. Kabak, a one-cap Turkish international, would initially be seen as fourth-choice in the middle of Klopp’s defence.

Closer to home, the Mirror identify seven players who could depart the Reds this summer, with Loris Karius, Marko Grujic, Harry Wilson and Ben Woodburn all having been out on loan this year. They are joined in the rumoured departures lounge by Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and young left-back Yasser Larouci. The latter has been widely reported to want to leave, but little has emerged as yet regarding the future of Klopp’s more senior options.

Spanish outlet Sport say that Philippe Coutinho still sees a return to Anfield as his “principle wish”, though it’s a “long shot” as the club are still negotiating with Bayern over Thiago, adds the report.

And finally, Harvey Barnes is an unexpected name linked with the Reds, with Jurgen Klopp admiring his versatility and “forceful running”, according to the Mirror. The Leicester City attacking midfielder is unlikely to be cheap, even though the Foxes failed to qualify for the Champions League, making it an unlikely deal to come off.

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