Liverpool are growing increasingly concerned about the future of Philippe Coutinho, who is understood to be the number one transfer target for Barcelona this summer. The Brazilian has been lined up as a replacement for Neymar should the 25-year-old joined PSG in a world record £196 million deal (Daily Mail).
Liverpool have so far been quiet in the summer transfer window after bringing in Andy Robertson, Dominic Solanke, and Mohamed Salah. It is understood that we are keen on completing a deal for Leicester City’s want-away attacker Riyad Mahrez, according to Daily Mail.
The total outlay of just under £50million looks pale in comparison to the likes of Manchester City, who have spent more than £200million already. Admittedly, the expenditure does not mean success on the pitch, but Liverpool do need a large squad in order to compete on all four fronts next season, as the club has made a return to the Champions League.
Mahrez has already submitted a transfer request in the hope of securing a move away from the club. The Algerian international was a star performer during the club’s title success of the 2015-16 season. He ended up winning the PFA Player of the Year award for that term. He was linked with a move to Barcelona but there has been no development on that front for a long time now.
A number of clubs are reportedly interested in signing Mahrez but are not willing to match the demands of Leicester City. Roma are one of the teams interested in signing the player, and they have made a £30million offer for the winger. As expected, the offer was rejected by Leicester City who are keen on receiving at least £50million for the player. Signing him at this fee would represent a new transfer record for Liverpool, but it remains to be seen if Jurgen Klopp will sanction a move for the player.
Frankly, Mahrez doesn’t seem like a necessity for us, given the options at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal. This is probably just a trick by the media to get Liverpool transfer news going again after days and days of reporting Naby Keita and Virgil van Dijk sagas.
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