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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool £36m transfer objective met as Yves Bissouma monitored

Let the spending begin. After all the rumours, speculation and counter-rumours, the transfer window is now fully open having previously been restricted to domestic deals.

Not that it will stop any of the conjecture. But at least it comes with the caveat business can officially be done over the next two months.

Liverpool, of course, have already met their primary objective of acquiring a new centre-back by agreeing a £36million deal to sign Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.

The France under-21 international officially becomes a Reds player today. And he won't be the last new arrival as Jurgen Klopp continues the process of evolving and shaping his squad for the new campaign and beyond.

But what of the players who have already been strongly linked with the Reds?

The midfield question

The departure of Gini Wijnaldum has, for some, left a hole in the Liverpool midfield.

However, in terms of numbers, the Reds are actually back where they started the 2019/20 season, with the emergence of Curtis Jones and arrival of Thiago Alcantara balancing out the exits of Adam Lallana and Wijnaldum.

That, though, could change if Klopp decides he wants to begin planning for the future in the engine room - or one of the current number, more realistically Naby Keita or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, have their head turned elsewhere.

The lack of a pressing need for an established midfielder means Renato Sanches isn't an option, the overall deal for his services regarded as too expensive considering the status he would likely have in the squad.

Klopp is a huge admirer of Aston Villa talisman John McGinn but that seems as far as Liverpool's interest will go this summer.

The Reds were tracking Germany international Florian Neuhaus but their interest cooled, evidenced by not triggering his release clause at Borussia Moenchengladbach before it expired at the end of May.

And there was no suggestion Liverpool were moving for Porto midfielder Otavio before his release clause went from £35m to £52m overnight.

They are, though, keeping tabs on a number of players including Yves Bissouma, the 24-year-old Mali international who has impressed for Brighton and Hove Albion.

And among the longer-term options is Ajax's 19-year-old Holland international Ryan Gravenberch.

Attacking the forward line

Liverpool will only bolster their forward line should any of the current squad pursue an exit that meets their asking price.

With Harry Wilson and Xherdan Shaqiri attracting strong interest and clubs pondering offers for both Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino, that could become a possibility.

Harvey Elliott will add another option but, at 18, he won't be expected to shoulder much responsibility as he looks to continue building on his potential.

Instead, should a further attacking space appear, a new signing will most likely fill the breach.

It won't be Patson Daka who, despite Liverpool constantly being linked, has signed for Leicester City.

And reports of interest in Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman and Donyell Malen of PSV Eindhoven appear at present to be emanating from representatives of the respective players pressing for a move to the Premier League.

Matters, though, are not set entirely in stone.

After all, the transfer window has only just begun - 62 days remain and counting.

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