Liverpool transfer news as $97m double midfield move ‘explored’ and Alexis Mac Allister latest

Liverpool can now focus completely on the summer transfer window without having to think about playing matches, and Jürgen Klopp knows there is plenty of work that needs doing before next season begins.

Chiefly among the priorities to get sorted out is the midfield. James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta have kicked a ball competitively for the last time in a Liverpool shirt, while Arthur Melo barely kicked a ball at all.

It won’t take four new players to replace the minutes of those players and the new additions that come in will hopefully be starters rather than squad options, but new blood is required and the links with various options are set to ramp up.

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Ideally, Liverpool would get at least two Premier League midfielders in (or at least two players with Premier League experience) so that there is no adaptation period required.

But among the links today are two players that currently play elsewhere around Europe’s top five leagues. Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Sergej Milinković-Savić (Lazio)

Liverpool needs new midfield talent this summer and Serie A star Sergej Milinković-Savić could be the answer, according to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Galetti suggested that the Reds could be in for the 28-year-old and Klopp is ‘exploring’ a transfer, which would cost around $43m (£35m/€40m) to complete.

Liverpool.com says: Slightly older than the typical Liverpool target this summer, this seems an unlikely one, even for a cut-price fee. Milinković-Savić is linked with a move away from Italy every year but has never moved, with Manchester United most often associated with a big-money bid.

With only a year left on his contract, this might finally be the time that he does get a switch elsewhere, though Liverpool has other priorities in mind that are younger and more suited to Klopp’s style of play.

Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich) and Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton)

A more likely target that Liverpool is definitely interested in signing this summer if a deal can be done, the Daily Mail reports that ‘attention has been turned’ toward a transfer of Ryan Gravenberch.

While Alexis Mac Allister has been the main name discussed lately, there is also a need to get at least one more midfielder in on top of the Argentinean, with Tuttomercato suggesting a price tag of $54m (£43m/€50m) for Gravenberch.

Klopp ‘likes’ the player, according to the report, and Liverpool needs more youthful options to call upon in the center of the pitch as it ‘explores’ the 20-year-old as a Jude Bellingham alternative.

Roberto de Zerbi and Alexis Mac Allister after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion.

(Image: Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Speaking of Mac Allister, the latest there is that he is expected to leave Brighton this summer, with Liverpool the favorite for his signature (La Nacion in his homeland has already reported that the deal has been completed and will now be announced as the season is done).

“I think that can be the last game of Alexis and Moisés [Caicedo] — I’m really sorry,” said De Zerbi after Brighton lost to Aston Villa this weekend. “They are two great people and two great players.”

Liverpool.com says: Gravenberch would be an excellent addition but perhaps he would be best as the third option after Mac Allister and another more proven player. He is hugely talented, but Liverpool needs players to hit the ground running.

Gravenberch has barely had a kick for Bayern this season, which suggests that he might be more of a longer-term project that could take some time to pay off. He is still a worthy target, but perhaps the icing on top of the cake rather than the cake itself.

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‘More on Fabio Carvalho…’ – Romano cites ‘possibility’ Liverpool could explore if 20y/o is sold

Liverpool could consider the inclusion of a buyback clause in any prospective sale of Fabio Carvalho, according to Fabrizio Romano.

With the 20-year-old having dropped to the periphery of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad, there have been reports of a possible permanent exit from Anfield over the past 48 hours.

Both the Italian transfer guru and David Lynch (Football Insider) had stated earlier on Monday that the Reds have received an offer to sign the midfielder outright, with the youngster not interested in being loaned out to another Premier League club.

Romano took to Twitter later in the day to add that an unnamed club in the Champions League have commenced negotiations over a transfer, also suggesting that Liverpool could insert a clause to get first dibs on Carvalho if they wish to re-sign him further down the line.

The journalist tweeted: “More on Fabio Carvalho news revealed today. Understand UCL club has already started talks with Liverpool to sign Fabio on permanent deal.

“Liverpool reluctant to sell but possibility of a buy back may be considered as a reasonable outcome given the player’s desire to play.”

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In one sense, it seems hard to envisage Carvalho severing his ties with the Reds this summer, as both he and the club are understood to have reluctance over a full sale.

That’s despite the 20-year-old barely getting a look-in under Klopp since the start of the year, playing for only eight minutes in the Premier League since the World Cup break prior to Christmas and not starting in any competition since the FA Cup third round replay at Wolves in January (Transfermarkt).

At least the inclusion of a buyback clause would protect Liverpool to some degree if they were to cash in on him altogether, but having only come to the club last year, surely a loan move would make much more sense if one can be found which would satisfy the midfielder.

It just seems far too early a stage to write off Carvalho, despite Lynch reporting that the manager seemingly doesn’t see the youngster in his first-team plans for next season.

If the player does pine for a permanent exit and the Reds feel it’d be foolish not to sell, they must at least cover themselves with a buyback option, instead of being left with regrets should the ex-Fulham talent flourish elsewhere and later become unattainable.

You can see Romano’s latest tweet on Carvalho below, via @FabrizioRomano on Twitter:

More on Fabio Carvalho news revealed today. Understand UCL club has already started talks with Liverpool to sign Fabio on permanent deal. 🔴 #LFC

Liverpool reluctant to sell but possibility of a buy back may be considered as a reasonable outcome given the players desire to play. pic.twitter.com/ouIj4g9SJS

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2023

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