Liverpool failed with an audacious bid to try and prise Real Madrid star Federico Valverde away from the Bernabeu in the final days of the transfer window, it has been claimed.
Despite previously insisting that the club would not be making any further signings before the September 1 deadline, Jurgen Klopp and the Anfield hierarchy were forced back into the market after accumulating a number of injuries in midfield during the opening weeks of the new campaign.
It had been widely reported that Liverpool were plotting to wait until next summer to strengthen their midfield before circumstances changed, with Klopp previously stressing that the club would only act if "the right player" became available.
The Reds did eventually wrap up a season-long loan deal with Juventus to bring former Arsenal target Arthur Melo to the Premier League on deadline day - but a new report from AS has revealed that Liverpool tried to do a deal for Valverde before they turned to Arthur.
It is claimed that the Reds launched a 'brutal' attempt to convince Real Madrid to part ways with the highly-rated 24-year-old over the final two days of the summer transfer window, with the reporting outlining that a bid in excess of €100million (£86m) was tabled for the Uruguay international.
However, Los Blancos had no appetite to discuss a move for the midfielder, who is a key player at the Bernabeu and, as such, is deemed to be 'non-transferable' by Carlo Ancelotti and the club hierarchy.
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Valverde, who was plucked from Uruguayan outfit Penarol as a youngster, has thrived for Real so far this season, bagging two goals and two assists. The versatile ace has even starred in an unfamiliar role on the right-wing for Ancelotti's side, who are currently top of La Liga after starting their domestic campaign with five consecutive wins.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will rekindle their interest in Valverde in future transfer windows. The Los Blancos star has been linked with a switch to Anfield before, while it is unlikely that Arthur is seen as the long-term midfield upgrade that Klopp has been tipped to seek next year.
But Real's reluctance to discuss a deal for the highly-rated maestro could encourage the Anfield hierarchy to pursue alternative targets rather than making a fresh attempt to land Valverde.
If that does prove to be the case, then Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham is believed to be at the top of Liverpool's transfer radar. The former Birmingham City prodigy was deemed to be unattainable this summer, but the Reds could ramp up their efforts to land the imperious midfielder in 12 months' time.
