Liverpool transfer news: ‘perfect’ Alexis Mac Allister partner discovered; $33 million price agreed

Liverpool Transfer News: The Reds have found a partner for Alexis Mac Allister, but it won’t be cheap. The asking price of another lens has been accepted.

Liverpool are entering uncharted territory. By this point last year, all summer transfer matters had been completed apart from the panicked battle to sign Arthur Melo on loan. And while that was a particularly successful period, it was an indication of how both Jürgen Klopp and FSG like to do business.

For the owners, this means there will be no price increase as the buyer of the clubs is desperate. For Klopp, that means a full pre-season to work with newcomers, which seems particularly important as Liverpool look to rebuild. However, the transfer market is currently a series of dominoes just waiting to fall, so patience is required.

Of course, Liverpool managed to get Alexis Mac Allister through the door early, using a release clause to secure genuine transfer activity. However, there has been little movement since then and there is a feeling the club are biding their time.

Some interesting players could undoubtedly be signed relatively quickly – Gabri Veiga, for example, also has a release clause, albeit with more suitors in place – but Liverpool appear to be keeping their options open. One possibility is that he’s waiting to see if the marquee name Nicolò Barella becomes available, and there’s more on that today.

Here is Liverpool.com’s verdict on the market gossip surrounding the Reds today

Nicolò Barella (Inter)

In the wake of a report from Italy’s Gazetta Dello Sport attributing a legitimate interest in Barella to Liverpool, the Independent has now taken a stand.

Miguel Delaney says Newcastle are currently considering alternatives, with a large gap in ratings between the two clubs. Inter Milan are pitching nearly $102m (£80m/€93m), with the Magpies around $38m short of that amount.

Liverpool are “also interested” in the player and see him as “exactly what they want in a second midfielder to complement Alexis Mac Allister”. However, she also believes that the price is currently “far too high”.

Liverpool.com says: It’s a real dilemma. Inter need to sell players and the pressure could increase as the transfer window progresses depending on whether or not they can offload lesser assets. But the longer Liverpool wait, the less certainty Klopp will have in pre-season – especially as there is no guarantee he will beat Newcastle.

Meanwhile, other legitimate targets, such as Veiga or Khéphren Thuram, may have moved elsewhere. It’s a real balancing act. But given Barella’s star quality, Liverpool would certainly be justified in waiting a little longer than usual with transfers.

Sofia Amrabat (Fiorentina)

There is also another midfielder under the eyes of both Liverpool and Newcastle. Like Barella, he’s someone who hasn’t really been on the radar for a while. Sofyan Amrabat was a rising World Cup star, which led to links with Liverpool. But things have cooled off since his return to Fiorentina.

However, according to TuttoMercato correspondent Giacomo Iacobellis on Twitter, both Liverpool and Newcastle are willing to match the Italian side’s valuation of $33m (£26m/€30m). As it stands, no other team is willing to pay this much, even if the player’s personal preference remains Barcelona or Atlético Madrid.

Liverpool.com says: Liverpool tend to go for players who are completely sold on a move, and won’t beg Amrabat to pick Anfield over a move to Spain. However, it is interesting that his name has reappeared.

Importantly, if there is any truth to the report, it means a slightly more conservative presence in midfield could still be on Liverpool’s radar. Despite his defensive performances at the World Cup, he’s not really a number six, but he has the qualities that would allow him to play deeper – like Manu Koné who is also linked with him.

The latter has better defensive strength and would actually be a more attractive choice overall. But if Liverpool are still looking for someone who is really comfortable as a defensive midfielder and could replace Fabinho, it would be a welcome development.