Klopp accelerates plans to sign Fiorentina star for Liverpool, but Tottenham lurk with summer signing facing axe
Liverpool are reportedly ready to step up their interest in signing a Fiorentina star this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to freshen up his side.
The Reds have struggled to match their own high standards this season and will finish the season without any silverware. Furthermore, they are also locked in a tough battle to secure a top-four finish with Tottenham and Newcastle both ahead of them in the table.
For a side that were just a few results short of winning an unprecedented quadruple last season, that fall off has been pretty severe.
Oddly, plenty of people saw the problems at Liverpool coming. Time and again last summer, Klopp was asked about the need to strengthen their midfield. And while they did miss out to Real Madrid for Aurelien Tchouameni, they ultimately decided to spend big-money instead on striker Darwin Nunez.
Klopp did belately decide to address his midfield shortcomings late in the summer window. However, their capture of Arthur Melo has proved nothing short of disastrous. And with just one 15-minute appearance to his name, he will be sent back to Juventus at the end of the season.
As a result, Liverpool and Klopp are preparing for a summer of major rebuilding work. And with one defender reportedly told he has no future at Anfield, a brutal nine-player clearout is also on the cards.
However, the undoubted main aim for Klopp this summer will be on strengthening his tired, old midfield. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both departing on free transfers to free up two spaces. And there remains doubts that James Milner may also soon depart, despite Klopp’s intentions of offering the 37-year-old another new deal.
Liverpool resurrect bid to sign Sofyan Amrabat
Jude Bellingham is Liverpool’s undisputed No 1 transfer target. However, any deal for the teenager is bound to prove difficult.
Indeed, he has been named as the most costly teenagers in the world game on this ranking of the top 10.
As a result, Liverpool and Klopp are wisely keeping their eyes open over possible alternatives.
And one player they were linked with in January – Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat – is seemingly back on Klopp’s radar.
Indeed, the Morocco midfielder is now stepping up his plans to leave the Serie A club. His deal in Florence is due to expire in summer 2024, though they have the option of an additional year.
He appears unwilling though to discuss an extension and, knowing he will likely leave for peak value this summer, Fiorentina are ready to cash in.
Now according to Foot Mercato, Liverpool are ready to make a fresh move to sign the midfielder.
Klopp is reportedly impressed by the 26-year-old work-rate and ability to protect the defence. To that end, he looks a possible upgrade on the struggling Fabinho in the No 6 role for the Reds.
Tottenham also keen on Amrabat, while Spanish duo lurk
Amrabat is also on Tottenham’s transfer radar too, with the club outlining him as a potential upgrade to Yves Bissouma.
The midfielder signed in a £25m deal from Brighton last summer but has struggled to nail down a regular place.
Indeed, his form has been a source of major disappointment for Spurs. And reports claim the club are already considering an upgrade in the engine room. The only thing preventing Bissouma from being sold this summer is the fact that Rodrigo Bentacur faces several months on the sidelines with a knee problem.
And the change of manager – and subsequently playing style – at Tottenham will rekindle Bissouma’s hopes that he can still become a success at the club.
Nonetheless, the Tottenham hierarchy are admirers of Amrabat and believe for his £25m valuation, he remains a solid option.
The Premier League pair, though, are in danger of missing out on his signature to a LaLiga side.
That’s after reports in France suggested that Amrabat is wanted by both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Barca’s prospects, though, of signing him do look bleak given their financial issues. Indeed, they saw ambitious efforts to sign him on an 18-month in January waved away by the Serie A side. To that end, they are only willing to discuss a permanent sale.
That could yet open the door for Atletico Madrid with the capital club also keen on his services.
The report concludes that Amrabat would prefer a move to Spain if either club can fund his signing.
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