One done, two to go? That’s the mood around Anfield as an exciting deadline day approaches its end. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been signed from Arsenal and the Reds are now trying to get the deals for Thomas Lemar and Virgil van Dijk over the line, according to the Evening Standard.
Jurgen Klopp was chasing Van Dijk all through the summer, although the engagement with Southampton started on a wrong foot. The Saints reported Liverpool to the FA complaining of illegal tapping and the Reds had to apologise publicly.
It was thought that the pursuit would be shelved but Van Dijk had set his sights on making his move to Anfield, which reignited the deal. Southampton are playing hardball as they do not want to sell the player but they also know that keeping him could be very difficult.
In fact, Southampton have already signed Lazio’s Wesley Hoedt. Although most of the Saints’ fans would argue that Hoedt has been signed to play alongside Van Dijk, I can see that Southampton are preparing for life after Van Dijk. Keep your eyes open and that should be one deal that can happen before the transfer window slams shut.
One more name that is doing rounds is that of Thomas Lemar from AS Monaco. Klopp is a big fan of the Frenchman and is willing to pay £70million for the midfielder and secure his signature.
Monaco too aren’t interested in selling as they have already seen some of their top stars leave the club this summer. With reports of striker Kylian Mbappe also leaving the club to join Paris Saint-Germain on loan, Monaco are reluctant to lose Lemar.
They told the same to Arsenal, who did all the early running this summer for Lemar’s signature. Arsene Wenger even claimed last week that a deal for the 21-year-old was “dead” as Monaco are not interested in selling the youngster.
Liverpool though, have reasons to believe that the deal would go through before the deadline. Unconfirmed reports maintain that the Reds’ medical team is already stationed in Monaco to do a flash medical. Apparently, Klopp wants to cover his bases just in case Philippe Coutinho moves out to Barcelona.
It’s going to be an interesting wind down until the last minute!
