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A sensational Xl of players already linked with Liverpool this summer

It will be interesting to see what Liverpool do in the transfer market this summer after securing their first title of the Premier League era.

There’s little pressure on the champions to overhaul their squad or to splurge on new players now that the window is open, and amid economic uncertainty, Jurgen Klopp has warned the club will be unable to spend millions and millions this summer.

But that’s not stopped the rumour mill cranking into gear, with some truly sensational claims of who could be set to arrive at Anfield. Here’s a full XI of players they’ve been linked with.

GK – Uğurcan Çakır

Back-up option Adrian has no intention of leaving, there can be no qualms over their number one Alisson, and they’ve just added Polish goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek to their youth ranks, so a new goalkeeper appears last on the Reds’ priority list.

But that’s not stopped the agent of Turkey international Uğurcan Çakır talking up the potential of a move to Anfield, having impressed at Super Lig runners-up Trabzonspor.

“Liverpool are among the sides interested in Cakir and have been monitoring his progress,” Cakir’s agent, Engin Kirkpinar, told Turkish-Football in November.

“Trabzonspor value Cakir as being worth a minimum €20m (£17.1million) and will not sell him in January.

“An end of season move could, however, be on the cards.”

RB – Thomas Meunier

Given the form of homegrown golden boy Trent Alexander-Arnold, there should be little surprise that its slim pickings in the gossip columns when it comes to right-backs.

But with Nathaniel Clyne released, there could be room in the squad for another option. But there’s been very little mentioned since French outlet Le10Sport speculated the Reds could take advantage of Thomas Meunier’s contract expiring at PSG – although he has, of course, since signed for Borussia Dortmund.

Expect to see academy graduate Neco Williams continue to deputise next season.

CB – Ben White

Liverpool are said to have been keeping tabs on the highly-rated 22-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back, who turned heads after playing every minute of Leeds United’s Championship-winning campaign.

Leeds are said to be eyeing a permanent transfer for White, but they could face competition from the Premier League’s top clubs.

“Look out for Liverpool,” says The Athletic‘s Phil Hay. “Their talent scout Andy O’Brien (ex-Leeds) has been watching White closely.”

CB – Kalidou Koulibaly

One of the heavyweight names tipped to move to Merseyside this summer, the Senegal international has been a frequent fixture of the gossip columns after Napoli failed to secure Champions League football next season with a top-four finish in Serie A.

Liverpool could potentially be in the market for a new centre-half after Dejan Lovren’s departure to Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has conceded that Koulibaly could leave this summer.

“Kalidou is a great person, I would be terribly sad to lose him. But there is a time for everything, even to move apart,” he said (via Goal).

“But the €90m is not on the table and so it takes two to make a deal.”

That would be a record fee for Liverpool. Don’t hold your breath.

LB – Jamal Lewis

Depth behind Andy Robertson appears to be an area they could genuinely strengthen going forward, and the Reds have a track record of opportunistically signing from relegated clubs.

There could be something in their interest in Norwich’s Jamal Lewis, reported by the reputable James Pearce of The Athletic. It’s said that the 22-year-old Northern Ireland international is valued by the Canaries at £20million, but Liverpool are offering half that for now.

READ: ‘Magic with his left foot’ – Nine quotes on Liverpool target Jamal Lewis

DM – Weston McKennie

Not strictly a defensive midfielder, but McKennie has been utilised there by Schalke coach David Wagner.

CBS Sports suggest that Liverpool are interested in the 21-year-old USA international, who is expected to depart the Veltins Arena this summer.

CM – Thiago

What was originally thought to be Thiago doing a Sergio Ramos (i.e using rumours to leverage in contract renewal negotiations) might actually have some legs to it.

The Spain international’s deal with Bayern Munich expires next summer and he’s unlikely to renew – German football expert Raphael Honigstein says Liverpool are interested but yet to make a formal offer.

“Thiago told Hasan [Salihamidžić, Bayern sporting director] some time ago that he would like to try something new at the end of his career. We have to accept that,” Bayern chief Karl-Heinze Rummenigge (via Sky Germany).

Watch this space.

CM – Harvey Barnes

The Daily Mirror report that Liverpool are interested in the energetic Leicester City attacking midfielder as Klopp looks to bolster his options in the centre of the pitch following Adam Lallana’s exit.

But the 22-year-old is contracted at the King Power until 2024, making any potential transfer extremely pricey (see also: unlikely).

RW – Adama Traore

Klopp has described the Wolves winger as “pretty much unplayable” and apparently wants to bring him to Anfield.

That’s according to another exclusive from the Daily Mirror, who suggest that Liverpool have already begun negotiations with Wolves over the Molineux Road Runner.

Three words. Pinch of salt.

ST – Wout Weghorst

Timo Werner was, of course, The One, before Chelsea swooped in. But Liverpool’s reported long-running interest in the Germany international suggests that the club are open to adding another option behind current first-choice striker Roberto Firmino.

One alternative name mentioned is Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst, although that’s more from noises at his end than from Merseyside. The Dutch international scored 20 goals in 42 appearances for the Bundesliga club last season and has stated his dream is to move to Liverpool.

“I always found Liverpool very special,” he told Goal back in May.

“I still get goosebumps from ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. There are other great English clubs too, and I always liked Milan because so many Dutch played there.

“I am ambitious and want to get ahead. Maybe at some point play at another club, whether in Germany or in England? But at the moment it is still far away. I feel good and try to achieve the maximum here.”

LW – Ismaila Sarr

He featured predominantly on the right at Watford last season but often played on the left at Rennes, so that’s where we’re putting him here for the purposes of completing this XI.

Liverpool, of course, have first-hand experience of what an on-song Sarr is capable of, after he scored twice and set up another as Watford inflicted the Reds’ first Premier League defeat of the season, 3-0, at Vicarage Road in February.

Local outlet the Watford Observer claim that Liverpool are one of three Premier League clubs to enquire about the 22-year-old’s availability.


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