Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is doing his best to hold off from spending more cash in the transfer window this summer amid a growing list of injuries and absentees.
But the transfer rumours continue to circulate and those that are attracting the most attention include Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, who is said to have been ‘offered’ to Liverpool this summer. Elsewhere, another player who has been linked to the Reds is AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer, who could be on the move if his new contract demands aren’t met.
Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest transfer stories coming out of Anfield…
Reds offered Asensio
Despite adding Darwin Nunez to their ranks this summer, Liverpool are still looking short on options in attack after losing Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino.
Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio is a name that has been closely linked with Liverpool this summer and it has now been revealed by Mundo Deportivo, via Paisley Gates, that Asensio has been offered to Jurgen Klopp's side by his agent Jorge Mendes.
Asensio is said to be open to a move this summer as he goes in search of regular game time ahead of the World Cup later this year. And with Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino out injured, along with Nunez preparing to serve a three-game ban, the Reds could be tempted by a deal.
Should Liverpool take up the offer of signing Marco Asensio this summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Bennacer sets Milan contract demands
Liverpool have been linked with a number of midfielders this summer despite Jurgen Klopp insisting that he is happy with the current options at his disposal. But following injuries to Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the Reds could be forced into returning to the transfer market.
AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer is one of the names which has cropped up of late, although recent reports suggest that he could be about to sign a fresh deal with the Serie A club. However, the Algerian is only set to stay if his new contract demands of a €2million (£1.6m) pay rise per-season are met.
According to Algerian source La Gazette du Fennec, Bennacer wishes to go from a current salary of €1.5m (£1.2m) net per season to around €3.5m (£2.9m). However, should the Rossoneri reject his wishes, then he could make the decision to leave the club as a result.
Klopp turns to youngsters instead of Nunes
Another midfielder that Liverpool have been linked with this summer is Matheus Nunes, who is set to join Wolves from Sporting Lisbon in a club-record £42million fee after the Reds opted not to sign him in the current transfer window.
And according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Liverpool pulled out of negotiations ‘weeks ago’ without making an offer for the 23-year-old because Klopp was in favour of trusting Liverpool’s youngsters to fill any midfield voids instead of opting to splash the cash.
It is thought that Klopp prefers the idea of using Harvey Elliott and summer singing Fabio Carvalho in midfield instead this season, but following injuries to Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones and Thiago already this summer, the Reds could live to regret this decision as they look light in the middle of the park already.
