All posts by z3u9t.icu

Manchester City have reportedly made an offer for Atletico Madrid winger Rodrigo Riquelme.

What’s the latest Man City transfer news?

Those at the Etihad aren’t wasting any time in preparing for the 2023/24 season, looking to carry on the success under Pep Guardiola following a historic treble-winning campaign.

However, City have already lost one of their key players from last season in Ilkay Gundogan, who has left the Etihad on a free transfer to sign for Barcelona.

Mateo Kovacic has been confirmed as the first arrival of the window and looks set to replace Gundogan in the middle of the park, joining from Premier League rivals Chelsea in a deal worth an intial £25m.

Fellow Croatia international and RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol could soon join Kovacic in Manchester, with personal terms already agreed over a potential move.

There has been further rumours of another new midfielder as well, with talks held with the agent of Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga and contact seemingly made for Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada.

Those links appear to be as a result of Bernardo Silva’s future at City being up in the air. Reports have claimed that Guardiola has given the green light to another marquee midfield signing should Silva leave, with the Portugal international having a ‘mind-boggling’ offer from a side in Saudi Arabia.

Therefore, it looks as if it could be an extremely busy few months in Manchester, and another player who appears to be on the radar is Riquelme.

Sport Witness relayed an update from Spanish outlet AS regarding City and Riquelme in the last 48 hours. They claimed that City have made an offer to sign the player, who has a €60m release clause, with a move in the initial stages.

The report adds that Atletico are willing to explore sales for plenty of their players, and they could negotiate a deal with City under Riquelme’s release clause.

Who is Rodrigo Riquelme?

Riquelme is primarily a left-winger who can also play on the right-hand side or in an attacking midfield role. The 23-year-old actually shares the same agency as Jon Stones and Nathan Ake and is valued at a career-high €12m by Transfermarkt.

The Spaniard has come through Atletico’s academy but has made just two senior appearances for his current employers. That’s because he has been sent out on loan on numerous occasions in recent years, including to Bournemouth where he scored twice in 19 appearances.

Riquelme has most recently been with Girona, though, contributing to eight La Liga goals in 34 appearances, with Atletico’s president, Enrique Cerezo, describing the winger’s efforts last season as “magnificent”.

“He had a magnificent season at Girona, and now Rayo [Vallecano] is interested in him.

“He is a great player, and I believe he has a place at Atletico.”

It looks as if a move to the Etihad could be one to watch this summer, and who knows, Guardiola may feel he could take Riquelme’s game to the next level, potentially viewing him as a long-term alternative to someone like Silva.

The situation around Chelsea's transfer target Moises Caicedo is "absolutely concrete" at the moment, and the club is working on the deal "behind the scenes", claims transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea transfer news – What's the latest on Moises Caicedo?

Stamford Bridge has been a hive of activity this transfer window, and whilst their cross-city rivals Arsenal might be the talk of the town so far for their additions, Chelsea have been one of the busiest club in England thus far.

That busyness stems from their player sales, however, with the club confirming the departure of eight senior players thus far, with the likely exit of at least a few more, with American superstar Christian Pulisic and Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech looking destined to leave west London.

The Pensioners have the free-spending Saudi Pro League to thank for a lot of their success in offloading players so far, with N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly all making their way to the Middle East's burgeoning super league.

All that new money that has hit Chelsea's pockets has also given the club more room to manoeuvre in the transfer market, so the Blues have turned their attention towards Brighton & Hove Albion's star man, Moises Caicedo.

The midfield dynamo has become the club's priority target this summer, with Ecuadorian journalist Diego Acros telling the Evening Standard that the Blues' opening offer will be £75m plus £10m in add-ons but that the Seagulls want £100m.

Fans of the west London club shouldn't worry, however, as the clubs are in constant discussions, and this isn't a traditional deal where one side bids and the other rejects it until they finally agree. Instead, the sides are in dialogue over how to make this work, per Fabrizio Romano.

He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:

"I am told that the situation is absolutely concrete and on between Chelsea and Brighton. I already explained to you many times that Chelsea and Brighton decided to go with different kind of negotiation, not the normal making an official bid and official answer.

"In this case, they are speaking club to club. It's going to take some days let's see how long it will take this negotiation. But, It's ongoing, Chelsea [and] Brighton are speaking discussing, so Chelsea are working on this Caicedo deal behind the scenes."

How good is Moises Caicedo?

There is very little doubt about Caicedo's quality; likewise, there is little doubt that should Chelsea go out and get their man, he would be able to make an instant impact in west London.

Despite it being his first full season in the Premier League, 'El Nino Moi', as he is known back home, managed to average a very impressive rating of 6.92 across his 37 appearances in the league, per WhoScored.

His performances drew praise from some of the biggest names in the game as well, with Barcelona superstar Pedri saying:

"The one I've seen who has most surprised me was the one from Ecuador, Moises Caicedo. He's very good, he's top, I like him a lot."

Unsurprisingly, his own boss, Roberto De Zerbi has waxed lyrical about the midfield maestro, saying:

"Caicedo is one of the best players for us."

His underlying numbers are brilliant as well, with FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, placing him in the top 6% for pass completion, the top 11% for interceptions, the top 13% for tackles and the top 15% for attempted passes, all per 90.

If Chelsea can add Caicedo's steely determination to the centre of their midfield, they could do more than just challenge for the top four again next year.

Nottingham Forest are expected to table a £1.8m bid for Hertha Berlin forward Derry Scherhant, according to a fresh transfer report.

Who is Derry Scherhant?

The 20-year-old moved to his current club from Berliner SC back in 2020, and he has since broken into the first team over time, becoming a promising young player who big things are potentially expected of.

He managed to score once in the Bundesliga last season, making the most of his opportunity and making 10 appearances in the competition, and this is just the start of what could be a long career. He even impressed Forest in a pre-season fixture last season and is also a two-cap Germany Under-20s international, further outlining his potential.

Scherhant's current Hertha deal expires in the summer of 2025, meaning his price could begin to diminish soon, risking them losing him for a cheaper amount further down the line. That could force them to sell him sooner than later, which is where Forest come into the equation, with the new Premier League season edging closer all the time.

Will Nottingham Fores bid for Derry Scherhant?

According to Football Insider, Forest are reportedly going to bid for Scherhant imminently, as they look to get their summer business up and running:

"Nottingham Forest are set to bid £1.8million for Hertha Berlin forward Derry Scherhant, sources have told Football Insider. Forest have been tracking Scherhant for the last 12 months following his man-of-the-match performance against them in pre-season last summer.

"Scherhant, 20, scored in that pre-season friendly and his performance left a huge impression on the Forest coaching staff. Forest are ready to offer £1.8m for Scherhant and believe Hertha’s relegation from the Bundesliga last season gives them the ideal opportunity to get a deal agreed."

While Scherhant may not necessarily be considered an immediate key man, given his age and lack of experience at the top level, he could be viewed as a squad player with great potential, gradually playing more of an important role as the years pass. The fact that Forest have seen him close up in pre-season is also an added bonus, with those in charge of transfers clearly very impressed by what they have seen.

He could be seen as a good backup for attacking stars such as Taiwo Awoniyi and Brennan Johnson, and he could thrive further working under manager Steve Cooper.

Planning for the future is always important at the City Ground, ensuring there is young talent on-hand to eventually replace older colleagues, and the fact that Scherhant has already proven turned out in the Bundesliga, to an extent, does suggest that he could do a job in the Premier League, although it would be harsh to judge him too early on, should he make the move to The City Ground.

This will hopefully just be the start of another productive summer transfer at Forest, with so many players arriving this time last year, and while things should surely be a little quieter this time around, it is essential that the Reds are strengthened all over the pitch, as they look to improve on last season's 16th-place finish.

West Ham United boss David Moyes is 'determined' to get the 'best out' of striker Gianluca Scamacca in 2023/24 and will try to keep hold of the Italy international, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Is Gianluca Scamacca leaving West Ham United?

According to Calciomercato, Scamacca has attracted interest from Roma and talks are set to take place between both parties over the potential of the 24-year-old returning to Serie A.

Scamacca is believed only to want to play for Roma over other suitors keen on offering him an escape route from the London Stadium and has given his word to the Giallorossi that he is keen to ply his trade at the Stadio Olimpico.

Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Juventus have sounded out Scamacca and asked for information regarding the £90k-a-week ace to protect themselves against the possibility of striker Dusan Vlahovic leaving the club this summer.

AC Milan are also on the trail of the former Sassuolo man, while Di Marzio has claimed that any agreement to take Scamacca to Roma would likely be on a loan basis.

Last term, Scamacca struggled to make an impact in his maiden campaign in English football, scoring eight times in 27 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Brown thinks that Moyes will be 'determined' to help Scamacca succeed at the London Stadium despite his inconsistent form in 2022/23.

Brown stated: “As far as I'm aware, West Ham are still really determined to try and make a success of Scamacca.

"There have been little hints from Italy about him wanting to return there because things didn't really quite go according to plan.

"He does feel like someone who doesn't really fit the Moyes system perfectly, I think Antonio even said that on his podcast not so long ago.

"But I'm told the plan is that they want him back and they want to try and get the best out of him next season.”

Which striker is linked to West Ham?

It's possible that West Ham United will act to strengthen their forward line this summer as they look to build on their Europa Conference League triumph last term.

According to 90min, Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is a target for the Hammers and contact has been initiated with the USA international, who is valued at £30 million by the Gunners.

Strasbourg forward Habib Diallo is another name on West Ham United's radar this window; however, Brentford and Crystal Palace will provide competition in the race to sign the Senegal international, as per Football Insider.

The Irons are tracking Jubilo Iwata youngster Keisuke Goto and the 18-year-old could be brought to the club under the GBE rule, which guarantees that players of significant talent that don't qualify for a work permit are given an exemption from the process, according to The Daily Mail.

Sevilla, Juventus and Feyenoord are all monitoring the exciting starlet, who has striking physical attributes and stands at 6ft 3ins. Goto has been tipped for big things in his homeland and there is an expectation that at some point he will make a full breakthrough to the Japanese national team.

Everton are set to sign Villarreal forward Arnaut Danjuma on a season-long loan deal, according to reports. The Dutchman spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, having also previously spent time in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

Is Arnaut Danjuma going to Everton?

Danjuma is set to undergo a medical at Everton in the next few days to seal a season-long loan move from Villarreal, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The transfer expert said: "Danjuma will undergo medical tests as new Everton player in the next days, it could be weekend — not today. Agreement reached on loan deal from Villarreal until June 2024, as reported earlier. Danjuma has accepted — he already spoke to Sean Dyche. Here we go."

Upon completing the move, the former Spurs loanee will become the second signing of the summer for Everton, who have already welcomed Ashley Young on a free deal in the current window, as they look to avoid the drop once again next season.

With no transfer fee involved as a result of the deal being a loan move, and earning a reported £34k per-week, Everton's move for Danjuma is certainly a shrewd one.

Is Arnaut Danjuma good?

One of the reasons why the Toffees have found themselves battling for Premier League survival in the last two years is their lack of goalscorer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin previously played that role so well in the 2020/21 season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. Injury issues and a lack of form in the two seasons that followed left Everton without the goals needed to secure a season without the fear of the drop, though.

Danjuma could ease those fears, however – whilst at Spurs, he never really had the opportunity to find his best form, but the forward has shown time and time again for Villarreal that he knows how to find the back of the net.

In the 2021/22 campaign, as the La Liga side shocked the rest of Europe by reaching the Champions League semi-final, where they lost against Liverpool, and Danjuma was on top form. Finding the back of the net 16 times in all competitions, whilst assisting a further four goals, the Dutch striker enjoyed his best season in front of goal.

Since then, he has struggled to replicate those numbers, scoring just eight goals in the last campaign, but Danjuma represents a risk worth taking for Everton.

Given the lack of financial investment too, it could turn out to be a win-win situation for Dyche's side. If Danjuma finds his best form, the Toffees will have themselves a forward capable of finding the goals they have so-desperately lacked and could perhaps try to make the deal permanent.

Meanwhile, if he fails to impress, then Everton can simply wave goodbye at the end of the season and hope Calvert-Lewin's goals keep them steady in the mean time.

As the Premier League season approaches, one thing that is clear is the size of the job on Dyche's hands. As things stand, Everton are yet to make a dent in their transfer budget on a side which was closer than ever to suffering relegation to the Championship last season.

Starting with Danjuma, the Merseyside club must make improvements.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in Brazilian gem Andre, as Julen Lopetegui eyes midfield upgrades this summer.

The Spaniard bid farewell to Portuguese duo Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves early in the window, with the task to replace them being an ongoing search.

Could Wolves sign Andre?

One man that could fill the void left by the duo is Fluminense midfielder Andre, who has been linked to Wolves by news outlets in Brazil.

As reported by Bolavip, relayed by Sport Witness, the Old Gold are ‘in the fight’ to sign the 22-year-old, who is valued at £35m by his club.

The Midlands club aren’t the only Premier League representatives in the race to capture the talent, with Fulham and Liverpool also listed as interested parties.

How good is Andre?

Previously lauded as a “serious talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Andre could be the perfect addition to the side at Molineux in the absence of departed captain Neves.

The Portuguese midfielder departed for a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, in a deal worth £47m, after spending six memorable years in Wolverhampton.

Lopetegui could finally fill the gap left by the 26-year-old in capturing the Brazilian, who has similar attributes to the former Wolves sensation.

Once described as a “deep-lying orchestrator” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Neves was recognised for his strengths in distribution in central midfield at Molineux, an area that is equally praised in Andre’s approach to play.

As per FBref, the midfielder maintained an average pass completion rate of 93.2% in the Brazilian Serie A, securing almost perfect numbers compared to the Portuguese gem’s 82.1% in the Premier League last season.

Averaging 6.31 passes into the final third, the Fluminense whizz could replicate the level of performance on show at Molineux by Neves, who averaged 6.02 final third passes per 90 last term.

While the 22-year-old is a competent passer, the most prominent area to his game is his defensive approach, standing as a combative figure in the engine room.

Once tipped to become Brazil’s “next best defensive midfielder” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, the enforcing presence of Andre could make him an assured asset for Lopetegui to add to his team.

The praise is supported through his numbers, where he averaged 3.66 tackles and interceptions per 90 in Serie A and made an average of 7.09 ball recoveries in midfield per 90, via FBref.

Based on these figures, the young midfielder drew more fouls than he committed for Fluminense this year, highlighting the controlled nature of his game paired with the energy he exerts in the middle of the park.

A player eager to be involved in play, Andre averaged a huge 84.55 touches per 90 in the league last season, conveying the influence he could bring to Molineux at a time that calls for a midfield rebuild ahead of the new campaign.

In signing the Brazilian, Wolves could identify the perfect player to take the place of Neves, in a talent that displays strengths in abundance similar to that of the departed skipper.

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag could act to bring in a deep-lying midfielder this window to bolster his squad, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

How has Manchester United's transfer window gone so far?

Manchester United have made steady inroads in the transfer window and Mason Mount and Andre Onana have arrived at Old Trafford so far, as per Transfermarkt, while Jonny Evans has also signed a short-term deal at his former club.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has issued a major update on who the next player through the door at Manchester United could be this window, stating on Twitter X: "Rasmus Højlund is now travelling to England in order to undergo main part of medical tests as new Manchester United player later today. Documents exchanged between clubs, Højlund will sign until June 2028 with option for further season."

Bolstering his forward options has been a key focus for Ten Hag this window, given that injury-prone Anthony Martial and England international Marcus Rashford, who has recently signed a new long-term deal at his boyhood heroes, represent his only real squad options that can function as a central striker.

Upgrading in central defence now looks to be another quest on Ten Hag's wishlist as the window enters its final month and Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo appears alongside Everton youngster Jarrad Branthwaite on a two-man shortlist to provide some extra cover at the heart of the Red Devils' backline, as per The Daily Mail.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones has indicated that bringing in a deep-lying midfielder and yet another striker arrival could also take precedence at Old Trafford between now and the close of play in the market.

Jones stated: "We should think back to remember what United’s actual plan was for this window. They wanted a premium number nine and a top-quality deep-lying midfielder.

"At the moment, they haven’t actually done that. They’ve got a goalkeeper, a more attacking midfielder and an emerging forward. So I think there is still more to come from United and it isn’t impossible that another forward comes in.

"I think a lot will depend on Anthony Martial though. They need to find him a new club. If he could stay fit, I think having him as an alternate option through the middle as well as Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and even Jadon Sancho could be good, but the problem is, we just don’t know how often he’ll be fit.

"You can’t count on him, unfortunately, and Erik ten Hag must be a bit fed up of that."

Who could Manchester United look to sign?

L'Equipe via The Sun claim that despite Manchester United being close to landing Fiorentina defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli could 'hijack' their bid to bring the Morocco international to the North West.

Fiorentina are 'resigned' to losing Amrabat this window and Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a swoop for the 26-year-old.

Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane has been relentlessly linked with a move to Manchester United this window and it is said that he would prefer to join the Red Devils over Bayern Munich, according to Football Insider.

Manchester United have also looked at Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia as a potential midfield recruit; however, they are more likely to pursue a deal for Amrabat, according to Fabrizio Romano's exclusive column for CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are attempting to aggressively enter negotiations for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow, according to reports out of Italy.

Who will Arsenal sign?

Mikel Arteta, after sealing a trio of marquee deals already, could surprisingly make even more signings before deadline day as we enter the final phase of this summer transfer window.

Kai Havertz's £65 million deal, combined with a £38 million move for Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice's club-record £105 million transfer from West Ham, take Arsenal's spending north of £200 million.

Reliable media sources also claim that the Gunners are chasing a move for Brentford's David Raya as sporting director Edu looks to provide competition for current number one Aaron Ramsdale.

It's been a memorable last month for Gooners as their club show true ambition in the market, with Arteta seeming particularly thrilled by his side's capture of Rice.

“We’re really happy that Declan is joining us," said Arteta.

"He is a player with tremendous ability, who has been performing at a high level in the Premier League and for England for a number of seasons now. Declan is bringing undoubted quality to the club and he is an exceptional talent who has the potential to be very successful here.

“Declan has great experience in the Premier League at only 24 years old. He has captained a very good West Ham team and as we all saw, he recently lifted a European trophy. The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us.”

Arsenal have also been linked with an ambitious move for Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and according to Calciomercato.it, as translated by Sport Witness, they could look to hijack Lazio's move for Sow from Frankfurt.

The Switzerland international, who featured regularly during their 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar, is apparently a target for Edu and Arsenal.

It is believed they could "aggressively enter the negotiation" for Sow despite Lazio's advanced talks to sign him.

The 26-year-old was apparently on the verge of joining Maurizio Sarri's side, with a deal even being agreed of around €15 million (£12.8m) plus bonuses, but Arsenal could look to disrupt the transfer with a move of their own.

Sevilla are another side interested in Sow, meaning a possible auction is on the cards, but Lazio aren't giving up and are expected to hold a meeting on how best to proceed.

How good is Djibril Sow?

The midfielder was a near-undroppable for Eintracht last campaign, playing the fifth-highest number of league minutes out of anyone in their squad over 2022/2023 (WhoScored).

Sow started 30 league matches for them, making a further two appearances from the bench, with members of the English media heaping praise on him for some performances.

Sports reporter Sam Smith of The Daily Express, for instance, praised drew attention to Sow's "combative" and "progressive" style of play in late 2022.

"First time properly watching Djibril Sow in this first half & been impressed," wrote Smith.

"Progressive on the ball and combative."

A price in and around the £12.8m mooted is also more-than afforable from Arsenal's perspective, so this could be one to watch out for.

Nottingham Forest continue to search for a new goalkeeper, yet a fresh name has emerged that could actually surpass their current top target…

How much would Kasper Schmeichel cost?

Whilst much of the window has seen Steve Cooper linked to Dean Henderson yet again, questions did arise regarding the legitimacy of their desire to re-sign the Manchester United ace.

Therefore, the rumour mill moved on to Arsenal's Matt Turner, who David Ornstein recently suggested has now reached an agreement to make the switch from the Emirates to the City Ground.

Despite that, Eurosport remains insistent that the Midlands outfit remain in concrete talks to instead sign Kasper Schmeichel, returning the Danish shot-stopper to the Premier League just one year after he traded Leicester City for OGC Nice.

Despite his age, Football Transfers value the 36-year-old at an admirable €10m (£9m). He still has two years left on his contract with the French club.

How good is Kasper Schmeichel?

Despite leaving England, the ageing ace has not seen his powers wane as he departed the best league in the world. In fact, France has played host to one of his finest years in recent memory, showcasing that he is still as sharp as ever, and able to offer something back in the place where he spent the bulk of his career.

Whilst his time in England is best known for his 11-year spell with the Foxes, it is worth noting just how instantly influential he has been for Les Aiglons before going over his stunning career.

Just last season saw him maintain a 7.01 average rating in Ligue 1, the highest top-flight league rating of his career funnily enough. This was a figure buoyed largely by the 11 clean sheets he kept, as the Denmark international mustered three saves per game at a 75% success rate, via Sofascore.

Throughout his fine career, he has also been widely lauded for his ability with his feet, and his recent 75% pass accuracy serves to support this.

There is no doubt that he could come in and instantly improve Cooper's side, both in terms of leadership and experience as well as quality. Schmeichel featured 479 times for Forest's east Midlands rivals, and helped them win arguably the most unlikely Premier League title of all time, alongside a subsequent FA Cup. It was no surprise to see him branded "a proper Leicester City legend" by journalist Saddick Adams, which is a claim that could be under threat should he make such a switch.

It could even be argued that he would represent a finer option than Turner, despite the USA international boasting seven years of youth on his potential alternative.

The 29-year-old has found himself as a consistent backup for Aaron Ramsdale over the last year, struggling to displace the England international. As such, he made just seven appearances across the campaign, with his only experience coming in his homeland. He did shine there though, posting a 7.04 average rating of his own during the 2022 MLS term.

However, that was with just five clean sheets, conceding 37 goals in just 29 games, while Gunners legend Martin Keown suggested that he "can't really trust" the American, following the Europa League, last-16 first leg draw with Sporting CP.

Meanwhile, Schmeichel would bring far more know-how for the division, along with a talent level more than capable of surpassing Turner. He marks the smarter option across the board and could end up being sensational competition for the Gunners' backup keeper.

Liverpool have been linked with a host of midfield signings in the summer transfer window, and a new report has provided an update on three different targets.

When were Liverpool linked with Ryan Gravenberch?

It's fair to day that it has been a chaotic week or so for the Reds, and one that many will likely want to forget in a hurry when it comes to transfers.

Liverpool have ultimately missed out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea, and it means they still don't have an out-and-out defensive midfielder in the squad with deadline day gradually approaching.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

One midfielder who has been linked with a move to Anfield numerous times since the end of last season is Gravenberch, who moved to Bayern Munich from Ajax last summer, but struggled to make a big impact in 2022/23.

It looks as though the 21-year-old is still going to have to make do with being a bit-part player for the Bundesliga giants, so it may be that a move away this summer would be more preferable for him. While Liverpool's interest appeared to have waned a little, it appears as though a move still isn't completely out of the question.

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

Speaking to Caught Offside, journalist Ben Jacobs provided an update on Liverpool's transfer situation, providing updates on Andre, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Gravenberch:

"Chelsea are also on the brink of signing Romeo Lavia from Southampton, another Liverpool target. As a result I expect Liverpool to be busy between now and when the window shuts. Real Madrid don’t want to sell Aurelien Tchouameni, and the player doesn’t want to leave, so I don’t see too much substance in those links.

"Andre is another possibility at Fluminense, but the Brazilian club have always hoped to keep hold of him until 2024. Ryan Gravenberch at Bayern is a long-standing target as well. The player is open to the move. It’s just a case of whether Bayern will sell."

It is reaching the stage where Liverpool can't afford to be too picky when it comes to more midfielders arriving at the club, considering how light they look in terms of No.6 options ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at Anfield.

Granted, Gravenberch is at his best as more of a No.8, being given more freedom to express himself, but he has played in a deeper role before and could be a good option if Jurgen Klopp believes he can be effective there.

At just 21, there is no doubt that the Bayern man has a high ceiling, having once been called "the greatest talent in the Netherlands" by Wim Kieft, and if Liverpool could get him in and one more – Crystal Palace's Cheick Doucoure, for example – it would help fill the void left by Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

Whatever happens, significant business simply has to be done in the coming days, with a left-sided centre-back in the mould of Sporing CP youngster Goncalo Inacio also required, or the Reds could find themselves in for a long season.