Liverpool Transfer Round-Up: Reds Target Premier League Flop To Replace Wijnaldum

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Tying one of your key players down to a new contract can feel like a new signing in the modern day.

By contrast, losing one of your assets to another club on a free transfer is the worst-case scenario – and one that Liverpool are now desperately looking to avoid.

While all eyes are on whether Jurgen Klopp will invest in a central defender when the transfer market reopens next month, the Reds boss will perhaps be more concerned with resolving the future of Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Dutch midfielder is able to speak with foreign clubs from the start of the new year regarding a potential move when his contract expires in June.

That could force Liverpool’s hand, with reports suggesting they are already lining up possible replacements.

Here are the latest Liverpool transfer rumours.

Reds tracking Swansea flop

Renato Sanches – remember him?

Once deemed the next golden boy of European football, and a one time £30million signing for Bayern Munich.

Well the then-18-year-old is now 23, and rebuilding his career at Lille after leaving the Bundesliga giants last year following his disappointing spell in Germany.

But the Portuguese midfielder – best known on UK shores for a dreadful loan stint at Swansea – is now reportedly attracting interest from Liverpool, who consider him their primary target to fill the Wijnaldum-shaped void should their current star move on.

According to French publication, Le10Sport, Klopp is a big admirer of Sanches’s abilities and playing style, though is not the only interested party keeping tabs from the Premier League.

Klopp sent Wijnaldum warning

Liverpool may already be making contingency plans in the event of Wijnaldum’s departure, but Klopp was been warned he will have to break the bank to bring in a player of similar quality.

Barcelona look to be in prime position to snap up the 30-year-old, who has been pivotal to the Reds’ success in recent years.

And ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock feels replacing Wijnaldum is not a straightforward task.

“One hundred per cent I would [keep him],” Warnock told Stadium Astro .

“To go into the market and buy someone like Gini Wijnaldum you’re looking at £50m-£60m.

“Do Liverpool have the finances to do that after the pandemic? I don’t think they do.”

Inter move to ward off de Vrij interest

Inter Milan have responded to reports linking defender Stefan de Vrij with a switch to Liverpool by offering him a new long-term contract.

De Vrij, 28, reportedly topped Liverpool’s wish list of potential defensive reinforcements in January, due to his solid work alongside Virgil van Dijk at international level.

But according to FCInterNews (via Goal ), de Vrij is now poised to put pen to paper on a new deal to run until 2025, effectively ending Liverpool’s hopes of snapping him up next month.

Source: m.allfootballapp.com