Who Liverpool will sign in the upcoming transfer window is the question every Reds fan has on their lips at the moment, every supporter desperate to see the squad bolstered after a disappointing season.
With the midfield especially looking lacklustre, Liverpool will inevitably do business focusing on this problem position - though there are still plenty of options across the pitch they will still look to address.
Many of the players they are linked with usually don't end up joining the club, but if they do, it's usually to great fanfare and plenty of expectation.
But who will Liverpool sign this summer? FourFourTwo runs through the transfer rumours doing the rounds.
Who will Liverpool sign this summer?
Goalkeepers
With Alisson in goal and Adrian and Caoimhín Kelleher as back-ups, Liverpool haven't been linked with the signing of a new goalkeeper.
Defenders
Following defensive frailties this season, Liverpool are eager to improve their central defending options for next season. According to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato of Rai, Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae is on the radar for Premier League clubs – and Liverpool are ready to pay over £60 million for his services.
A more expensive option is available, though, in the form of Josko Gvardiol. The RB Leipzig centre-back could be at the centre of a furious bidding war between Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and top European clubs this summer, The Athletic reports. Liverpool have previously dealt with RB Leipzig on multiple occasions, though, and could provide a better environment for the Croatian to continue his impressive development.
For promising defenders, Liverpool have been keeping tabs on Benfica's Antonio Silva. The 19-year-old Silva only made his first-team debut in August but he is already one of the first names on Roger Schmidt's team sheet, and Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to Lisbon to watch him play on multiple occasions this season.
Liverpool would like to take Levi Colwill from Chelsea this summer, as they look to bolster their backline, writes the Football Insider. The 20-year-old can play on the left side defence as well as at full-back and has been likened to Van Dijk in the past.
Colwill has impressed in limited minutes on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, as part of the deal that took Marc Cucurella in the opposite direction. The left-footed defender is incredibly highly-rated but may not have too much of a future in west London.
Midfielders
Of course, there's only one man Liverpool fans want to see pitch up at Anfield this summer, and that's Jude Bellingham.
They face tough competition for the 19-year-old from Manchester City and Real Madrid, though, with new developments in the transfer saga seemingly on a daily basis. Reports have suggested Liverpool won't have enough money to complete the transfer, while others indicate Bellingham's preference is to Liverpool over the other interested parties.
Liverpool have reportedly ended their interest in Bellingham, though, instead opting to spend their transfer funds on multiple signings instead of the single marquee one. Unlikely to make the Champions League, Liverpool's budget will be reduced as a result; however, according to The Times, there is still a chance that Bellingham decides to remain at Dortmund for another year, in order to continue his development.
This would give Liverpool another 12 months to find the money to sign the England star, potentially filling other holes in their side first. Bellingham would then join in 2024 – perhaps for less money than the current quoted amount, given that he would have just 12 months remaining on his contract in the Bundesliga.
One thing is for sure, though: this is a deal which will likely roll on for the entirety of the summer transfer window.
ESPN report that Barcelona midfielder Gavi could be available for free in the summer, should the Catalan side fail to register him with first-team by July 1. With La Liga unhappy with Barcelona flouting their spending limits, it has refused to recognise Gavi's latest contract with the club, meaning it is null and void.
Therefore, a transfer fee might not be necessary for the diminutive midfielder, the 18-year-old having not actually signed a professional contract with Barcelona. Liverpool, naturally, are keen to swoop in and secure his services, though this will require plenty of negotiations to prise Gavi away from his boyhood club.
Spanish outlet AS are reporting that Liverpool are pursuing a move for Celta Vigo star, Gabri Veiga. The 20-year-old has been a breakout star in La Liga this season for his box-to-box profile, while his nine goals from midfield make him the top-scoring central midfielder in Europe's top five leagues this term.
The Reds are said to be willing to pay the €40 million release clause – which would be considerably cheaper than the nine-figure fee expected to secure Bellingham's signature.
Liverpool are chasing the signature of PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare this summer, with the Dutch club reportedly ready to cash in on the midfielder. The Ivory Coast international was linked with a move to England last year but eventually extended his deal in Eindhoven to June 2027 instead. But PSV will sanction a sale in the upcoming transfer window, according to 90Min.
According to Spanish publication Fichajes, Liverpool are eyeing Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong to come into the side. With Barcelona once again needing to balance the books this summer - they reportedly need to free up €200 million from player sales and their wage bill - De Jong could present the perfect player to sell to Liverpool.
Liverpool will launch a bid to sign Wolves playmaker Matheus Nunes, according to reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes and Football Insider. The midfielder only moved to Molineux from Sporting Lisbon in August, but his stock has stock has skyrocketed during a fine first campaign with Wolves.
Mason Mount is also available this summer, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano saying is "very likely that he will leave". As a result, it seems a move to Liverpool is certainly on the cards, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly an admirer of the England midfielder. He only has a year left on his contract, too, so will be available in a cut-price deal.
With Fabinho out of form recently, Liverpool could swoop for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer instead. That is according to reports in The Sun, who believe Liverpool are interested in the Portugal international - though they'll face stiff competition from the rest of the Premier League.
As well as Antonio Silva, Liverpool have been watching Florentino Luis at Benfica in recent months. Florentino, a 23-year-old holding midfielder who graduated from the Benfica academy, has shone this term, providing stability in the centre of the park.
Liverpool are set to make a move for Alexis Mac Allister with the Argentine's agent spotted at Anfield. According to Football Transfers, Mac Allister's father and agent were present in the stands during Liverpool’s loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, sat with club officials. The Reds are targeting a number of midfielders – but Mac Allister represents an option with significant experience of the Premier League.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also believes Mac Allister is guaranteed to move away from the Amex.
“Alexis Mac Allister and his camp consider a summer move away from Brighton as 100% guaranteed,” Romano confirmed. “The expectation is for an early transfer. Both Liverpool and Manchester United look set to open talks on the player’s side soon.”
And, according to the Express, the first two stars to link up with the Reds this summer will be Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
Dutch outlet Telegraaf has claimed that representatives of Bayern Munich star Gravenberch met up with Liverpool chiefs in Amsterdam to discuss a deal, just a year after the Dutch midfielder joined the Bundesliga champions. With Gravenberch thought to be worth £25 million to Bayern and Mac Allister pushing £60m, Klopp could feasibly do deals for both with the Bellingham money and have enough funds left over for another player.
Fabrizio
Former Foot365 editor Ignazio Genuardi has claimed that Liverpool have an interest in Adrien Rabiot as they look to rebuild the centre of the park. The French star is out of contract in the summer and with Juventus suffering a points deduction and facing the prospect of not qualifying for the Champions League next year, it's probable that a number of stars will look to move on.
The Mirror have made the bold claim that Liverpool will resurrect their interest in Aurelien Tchouameni, who they attempted to bring to the Premier League last season.
Back then, the Frenchman was at Monaco but chose Real Madrid over the Reds – just as Bellingham could well do this summer. Tchouameni has struggled to break into Los Blancos' midfield on a regular basis, however, seeing himself behind the evergreen Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the pecking order.
Forwards
Interestingly, Liverpool haven't been linked with many forwards, perhaps due to their abundance of high-quality options in the attacking areas. They have Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota all to choose from, with a number of midfielders also able to fill in if required.
As a result, Liverpool are reportedly monitoring on-loan Real Madrid striker Iker Bravo ahead of a possible summer move. The 18-year-old joined the Spanish giants’ Castilla side from Bayer Leverkusen last summer on a deal to the end of the season. Spanish outlet Fichajes writes that Real have the option to make Bravo’s move permanent for €6 million in the summer, but his low fee could entice Liverpool to make an offer themselves.
Liverpool have been long-term admirers of Barcelona star Ansu Fati – and now they've been given the opportunity to sign the wonderkid at a ridiculously low price, compared to his release clause. According to Spanish outlet Sport, Ansu Fati could be available for just £53 million – some £947m cheaper than his release clause, no less – with Barça president Joan Laporta admitting that a sale of one of his attackers is perhaps necessary due to the club's precarious financial position.
Sadio Mane could make a shock return to Anfield in the summer. According to Football Insider, the player has told friends he "misses Liverpool" and is "aching" for a Premier League return. Mane could be available for just £25 million, after leaving Anfield for over £30m, as Bayern look to cut their losses on a player who recently turned 31.
