Despite insisting Liverpool's business for this summer had already been completed, Jurgen Klopp could be eyeing up a shock move for Real Madrid star Federico Valverde.
The Los Blancos midfielder is already known to the Reds fanbase after he provided the killer pass to set up Vinicius Junior during May's Champions League final meeting between the two European giants. Liverpool's midfield has been under the microscope this window, with many surprised the club aren't doing more to strengthen their options in the position.
Klopp has the likes of Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara at his disposal, but with both north of 30, there are growing calls for Liverpool to try and lower the average age of their midfield with some young additions.
It has been reported for quite some time that the Reds' main transfer target is Borussia Dortmund sensation and England international Jude Bellingham. However, it would take an astronomical figure to prise the Birmingham-born star away from Signal Iduna Park this window.
Sporting Lisbon’s Matheus Nunes has also been touted as an alternative but those reports have since been quashed, leaving Valverede as the most likely option if Klopp does U-turn and delve back into the market before the window closes.
Spanish outlet Nacional, per the Liverpool Echo, reports that Klopp is 'obsessed' with the player and desperate to lure the Uruguayan international away from the Santiago Bernabeu. So much so, in fact, he is thought to have told the Reds hierarchy to 'pay whatever it takes' to secure Valverde's signature.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Liverpool break the bank for Federico Valverde this summer? Comment below!
The 24-year-old played a vital role in Real Madrid's La Liga and Champions League double last term, featuring 46 times across all competitions. There is some way to go before Valverde's Los Blancos contract even nears expiry.
His deal ties him to the Spanish capital until the summer of 2027, meaning Liverpool are almost certainly going to have to break their strict in-house transfer rules to stand any chance of landing Valverde.
While it is likely to be some time before the reigning European Champions are cornered into selling for a cut-price fee, boss Carlo Ancelotti had been using Valverde out of position at the tail-end of last season and reports of a rift between the pair have duly followed.
Real Madrid only forked out £4.5million for his services back in 2016, while Valverde was still a teenager, but if he is to leave the club this summer in favour of an Anfield switch, Liverpool will be expected to spend well above 10 times that amount.
