Liverpool are planning a midfield overhaul for the summer
Liverpool are reportedly keeping an eye on ‘the next Bruno Fernandes’ Joao Palhinha. Since leaving Sporting Lisbon in the summer, the Fulham midfielder has made a strong impression, drawing comparisons to the Manchester United sensation.
Palinha has more than four years left on his contract with the Cottagers, so Fulham are unlikely to let him go cheaply. According to the Daily Mail, the Portuguese star is worth £60 million. However, that appears to be the cheapest option for Jurgen Klopp, who has previously expressed interest in £120 million man Jude Bellingham and Alexis Mac Allister, who is valued at £70 million.
The latter appears to be on his way to Anfield this summer. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have presented their project and financial proposals to the Argentine and hope to sign him in early May or June.
Meanwhile, the Reds’ interest in Bellingham has recently cooled due to the financial implications of the deal, with Real Madrid now the frontrunners to sign him. Liverpool has been in desperate need of center-back reinforcements, with their current options mostly consisting of players who are either too old or too young to hold down the position.
Klopp will be hoping to form a new partnership with Mac Allister and Palhinha next season. However, there are others on his short list.
The Reds have also been linked with Mason Mount of Chelsea, Declan Rice of West Ham, and Moises Caicedo of Brighton. Mount’s contract expires at the end of the season, and he appeared set to leave after protracted talks with Chelsea executives.
However, it appears he is on the verge of signing a one- to two-year extension while Todd Boehly negotiates a longer-term deal that is in the best interests of both the player and the club.
Rice will almost certainly leave relegation-threatened West Ham in the summer to pursue Champions League football. Arsenal are said to be the frontrunners for a permanent deal, though Liverpool are also keeping an eye on his situation.
Meanwhile, Caicedo recently signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with Brighton, who turned down a £70 million bid for him in January and are unwilling to let him go.
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