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Liverpool 'open talks' with Bundesliga starlet eyed as Jude Bellingham alternative
Jurgen Klopp is hoping to secure some early business as Liverpool eye midfield transfers.
Jurgen Klopp reviews Liverpool's 4-4 draw with Southampton
Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone, who is seen as a potential Jude Bellingham alternative. Jurgen Klopp’s outfit pulled out of the race to sign the England international due to financial concerns as he looks set to join Real Madrid instead, forcing the Reds to turn their attention elsewhere.
German outlet Bild have claimed that Liverpool have been in contact with Kone’s representatives having expressed their interest in bringing him to Anfield. The Bundesliga side want between £35million and £40m for his signature after another stunning season with the club.
Kone’s contract at Gladbach expires in 2025, though the German club do have an option to extend the young Frenchman's stay for another year - putting them in a healthy position to negotiate with Liverpool’s new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke. He signed a short-term contract at Anfield on Tuesday and will be tasked with aiding Klopp in their midfield overhaul.
Liverpool supporters will be expecting several additions in the middle of the pitch, one of which could be Kone while the club have also strongly been linked with Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister, Chelsea star Mason Mount and Khephren Thuram of Nice. The Argentine’s exit from Brighton has been described as ‘imminent’, with the Reds thought to be leading the race for his signature.
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While Mount has a host of suitors in the Premier League, Liverpool alongside Manchester United and Arsenal. As his Chelsea contract expires in just over a year, he could lead an exodus as the club attempt to raise money following the £600m spending spree over the past two windows, but reports have suggested that he would prefer a move to Old Trafford.
While recent reports claimed that Liverpool had opened talks with Nice over a move for Thuram, who also has interest from the Merseyside outfit’s rivals but they were hoping to move ahead of them with an early pursuit.
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New transfer chief Schmadtke appears to be getting to work quickly, but has shed a light on the hierarchy as he admitted that Klopp holds the power when it comes to transfers. "The influence of the coach on transfers is greater in England than in Germany, where a sports director holds everything in one hand," he told Sport1.
"Jurgen Klopp sets the priorities. We set him up with a team of data analysts, scouts and so on, so he can then choose from a list of players who he wants to work with. Then I'll deal with the transfers with the responsible departments in the club.
“And, in the end, the owners have to be satisfied with the investments. If we like each other, we can work together beyond the transfer window. Let's see. Then we continue or not. I don’t have a budget yet!"